Joshua criticizes refereeing after a violent challenge in the Flamengo U-20 match, raising concerns about his physical condition and future with the senior team.
In a derby that extended beyond the pitch, the clash between Flamengo and Fluminense in the U-20 Campeonato Carioca last Saturday (26) gained a new chapter. Attacking midfielder Joshua, a red-black prospect, publicly expressed his outrage with the refereeing following a hard tackle that forced him off the field. The incident has sparked discussions regarding the protection of young athletes and the quality of decisions on the field.
The aftermath of the play, which resulted in only a yellow card for the opponent, set off alarms within Flamengo‘s medical department and among supporters. The concern is even greater considering that Joshua has been integrated into the senior squad, gaining experience and earning the coaching staff’s trust.
Joshua’s outrage and the consequences of the tackle
Joshua voiced his dissatisfaction on social media. The player used his platform to criticize referee Patrick do Nascimento Silva, sharing a video of the play where he is fouled from behind. The caption of the post showed his discontent:
“This is crazy, FERJ. Just rotten refereeing. Let’s review this, huh!”
Images of the athlete’s ankle, already swollen and receiving initial treatment from Flamengo‘s medical staff, were released, emphasizing the severity of the challenge. The injury forced his immediate substitution, and he now awaits medical evaluation to determine the extent of the damage.
Performance in the Derby and Joshua’s future
The match against Fluminense marked the end of Flamengo‘s unbeaten run in the season, with the red-black team suffering a 3–1 defeat. The goals for the Laranjeiras side were scored by Breno, Italo Vinicius, and Wesley Natã, while Douglas Telles scored for Mengão.
Despite playing for the U-20 side, Joshua is seen as one of the great hopes of Flamengo‘s youth academy. Since the previous season, he has been receiving opportunities under coach Leonardo Jardim in the main squad, even participating in integration with the professionals during the last FIFA International Break. This period of “exchange” aims to improve his preparation and provide valuable experience alongside more experienced players.
Next steps and expectations
With the defeat in the derby and uncertainty regarding Joshua‘s physical condition, Flamengo is preparing for their next challenge in the U-20 Carioca. The team returns to the pitch next Saturday (03) to face Sampaio Corrêa-RJ in a match valid for the ninth round of the championship. The game will take place at 3:00 PM (Brasília time) at the Ninho do Urubu Training Center. Match details will be covered by the M360 Team through the website and social media. Live broadcasting will be available on FlamengoTV on YouTube.
Joshua‘s injury and subsequent criticism of the refereeing add extra spice to Flamengo U-20‘s season and reinforce the importance of protecting young talents in Brazilian football. The expectation now is for the athlete’s recovery and FERJ‘s response regarding the issues raised about the quality of refereeing in youth category matches.
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