Flamengo fans mock Thiago Almada after River Plate’s early Copa Sudamericana exit
River Plate‘s (ARG) elimination by Santa Fe (COL) in the Copa Sudamericana has resonated beyond Argentine borders, directly impacting midfielder Thiago Almada. Flamengo fans took to social media, particularly the player’s Instagram profile, to express their sarcasm regarding the situation.
The taunting comes as a consequence of the failed negotiation between the player and the Rio de Janeiro club, which recently did not materialize.
Offer Rejection and Flamengo’s Sarcasm
The social media activity was initiated by fans who recall Almada‘s rejection of Flamengo‘s offer. At the time, the player, who belonged to Atlético de Madrid (ESP), opted not to move to Brazilian football, despite a considerable financial offer estimated at around 30 million euros.
Almada‘s decision to prioritize European offers that, in the end, did not materialize, culminating in his signing with River Plate, became a target of criticism and jokes from the Flamengo fanbase.
Difficult Stint at River Plate
Thiago Almada‘s time at River Plate has been marked by difficulties. The recent elimination in the Copa Sudamericana adds to an underperforming run in the Argentine Championship.
The midfielder has already made a crucial mistake that cost the team a victory in a previous match. In an overall assessment since his arrival at the Buenos Aires club, Almada has accumulated only one win in four appearances across all competitions.
Contrast with Flamengo
While River Plate is going through a period of sporting instability, Flamengo is experiencing a more positive phase. The Rio de Janeiro team occupies second place in the Brasileirão and has secured qualification for the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores.
Flamengo‘s next challenge will be against Botafogo this Sunday (30th), at 4 PM (Brasília time).
Analysis of the Fans’ Behavior
Regarding the fans’ reaction, João Vítor Reis, a journalist for M360, commented:
Mengão’s fans will take a while to forget Almada. In my view, all the teasing is valid as long as it doesn’t affect the player’s personal life.
Reis also pointed out that, in his individual analysis of the match against Santa Fe, Almada‘s performance was positive, attributing the negative result for River Plate to defensive errors and specific moments in the penalty shootout.
