Saul makes history with Flamengo

Saul makes history with Flamengo.

Flamengo won their fourth title, but behind the glory were some special stories. Filipe Luis won the title as a coach after having lifted it as a player. Danilo became the first man to win two Libertadores and two Champions Leagues. And Saul became the second Spaniard to reach the podium, after Pablo Mari in 2019, also with Flamengo.

Saul sat on the bench and didn’t play a single minute in the final, but his journey would take a different tally. In July, Saul seemed destined for Trabzonspor. A private flight was on the way and the deal seemed done. But Flamengo sporting director Jose Boto turned things around in a matter of hours. “I pulled him off the flight the Turkish club were sure would take him,” he recalls. “I did it at almost 5am. It was tiring but worth it.”

Flamengo wanted Saul, and Saul wanted to reunite with his old teammate Filipe Luis. They had fought together at Atletico Madrid. That bet paid off with the Libertadores trophy.

For Saul, this is the biggest title since leaving Europe. Before that, he had two Europa Leagues, a Copa del Rey, a Spanish Super Cup and a European Super Cup with Atletico. While at Chelsea, he was also part of the team that won the FIFA Club World Cup.

Saul’s story continues the journey that Pablo Mari started. In 2019, the Spanish midfielder was signed by Flamengo in July and just four months later became a historical figure. Flamengo beat River Plate 2-1 in Lima, in a match where Gabigol exploded with two goals in the 89th and 92nd minutes. Marí started the whole match.

Six years later, Flamengo won again on the same Peruvian soil, and another Spaniard stepped up to the podium. Saul was not on the pitch, but his name remains in the history that Mengão continues to write.

Source: https://znews.vn/saul-ghi-dau-lich-su-cung-flamengo-post1607057.html