A settlement brings an end to a multi-million dollar legal dispute between Flamengo and Paolo Guerrero after eight years, closing cases that totaled R$ 2 million in claims.
Flamengo and striker Paolo Guerrero have reached a consensus to end a prolonged legal battle that had been ongoing for eight years. The news was formalized in the Rio de Janeiro Court, marking the conclusion of two lawsuits in which the Rubro-Negro club sought compensation totaling approximately R$ 2 million from the player.
This agreement closes a turbulent chapter in the relationship between the Rio-based club and the Peruvian center-forward, which began following the athlete’s departure. The financial terms of the deal, however, were not disclosed and remain confidential for both parties involved.
The origin of the dispute
The controversy dates back to 2017, when Guerrero tested positive for a cocaine metabolite following a doping test taken during a World Cup Qualifier match for the Peru national team. The suspension imposed by FIFA ruled the striker out of crucial fixtures, including the Copa Sudamericana final, directly impacting Flamengo‘s performance that season.
Feeling harmed, the club initiated legal action. One of the claims, valued at R$ 200,000, concerned moral damages involving both Guerrero and the Peruvian Football Federation.
Details of the lawsuits and defense
The second lawsuit, which was more substantial, sought approximately R$ 1.8 million from Guerrero. This amount aimed to recover expenses Flamengo incurred during the 120 days the player remained suspended in 2017. The club argued that the situation had “tarnished” its institutional image.
In his defense, Guerrero‘s legal team countered the accusations, stating:
Flamengo intends to attribute broad economic consequences to Guerrero, including the loss of titles or prize money, a reduction in the number of members, decreased sales, losses from ticket revenue, and impacts on sponsorships, with the mere intention of ‘taking revenge’ for their frustration over not having secured his contract renewal. They are attempting, in the worst possible way and with absolute and unequivocal bad faith, to transfer the risks of their economic activity to the player.
The resolution of this legal case marks the end of a long period of friction between one of the most prominent figures in South American football and a giant of Brazilian sports.
Although financial details remain confidential, the resolution allows both parties to move forward, with Flamengo focused on its future challenges and Guerrero on his current career, free from the constraints of a legal process that lasted nearly a decade.
