Lucas Paquetá, the hero of Flamengo‘s draw against Cruzeiro in the Libertadores, reacted with good humor to his Man of the Match award.
The first leg of the Libertadores Round of 16 between Flamengo and Cruzeiro, played at Mineirão, had an unlikely hero after the final whistle: Lucas Paquetá. The Rubro-Negro midfielder, who came in during the second half to score the equalizer, received the Man of the Match award, but his reaction drew attention, eliciting laughter and showing the player’s good humor.
Paquetá‘s return to the field, after recovering from a muscle injury suffered during the World Cup, has been marked by decisive performances. His performance against the team from Minas Gerais solidified his importance to the squad at this crucial point of the 2026 season. The player’s relaxed attitude amid a high-pressure scenario reflects the team’s atmosphere and confidence for the upcoming challenges.
Triumphant Return and Post-Match Humor
The scene that went viral on social media was captured in a video released by Flamengo. Lucas Paquetá, upon leaving the Mineirão field, carried the “Man of the Match” trophy and, alongside José Boto, commented lightheartedly:
It’s almost embarrassing. But it’s good too. There are games where I play well and don’t get the trophy.
The statement, made with a smile, generated positive repercussions among fans and the sports press, highlighting the charismatic personality of the club’s academy graduate. Paquetá‘s return after the injury, initially with minutes against Vitória in the Brazilian Serie A and then as a key player in the Libertadores, shows his quick adaptation and immediate impact on the team’s performance.
Decisive Performance in the Libertadores Classic
Lucas Paquetá‘s entry in the second half of the clash against Cruzeiro changed the game’s dynamic. On a set piece, after Ayrton Lucas‘ free-kick and Léo Ortiz‘s header hit the post, the ball found Paquetá, who precisely sent it into the back of the net, leveling the match at 1-1. His ability to appear in important moments was crucial for the result at Mineirão.
This goal not only secured the draw but also left the decision for a spot in the quarterfinals wide open, to be decided at the Maracanã. The next match promises to be an exciting clash, where Flamengo‘s fans expect another standout performance from their key players.
Current Scenario and Flamengo’s Next Challenges
With the 1-1 draw, Flamengo and Cruzeiro arrive with equal conditions for the second leg of the Libertadores Round of 16, scheduled for next Wednesday (19), at the Maracanã. The winner advances to the next phase. In case of another draw, the spot will be decided by penalties.
Before that, Flamengo has a commitment in the Brazilian Serie A. On Sunday (16), the Rubro-Negro will face Mirassol at 6:30 PM, at Estádio Maião. The match will be broadcast by Record, Premiere, and CazéTV, with detailed coverage from the M360 Team across all platforms.
M360 Team
