With a sharp eye for goal, Léo Pereira has etched his name into Flamengo history, surpassing Juan to top the list of highest-scoring center-backs in the 21st century.
The impressive milestone was reached with his goal against São Paulo. It was Léo Pereira‘s 19th goal wearing the Manto Sagrado, enough to move past the 18 goals scored by Juan, an eternal idol of the Nação Rubro-Negra who ended his successful stint with the club in 2019.
This achievement is more than just a statistical footnote; it reflects the defender’s importance to the team’s offensive setup. Since arriving at Gávea in 2020, he has proven to be a lethal weapon on set-pieces and aerial plays, establishing himself as a key piece of the current squad.
Dominance in the century’s ranking
The top spot on this exclusive list now belongs solely to the Rubro-Negro’s No. 4. The current ranking of defenders with the most goals for Flamengo in this century stands as follows: Léo Pereira leads with 19 goals, followed by Juan (18), Ronaldo Angelim (17), Réver (11), and Júnior Baiano (10).
Chasing new historical horizons
Despite the feat, Léo Pereira‘s challenge to become the highest-scoring center-back in the club’s entire history—not just this century—requires continued dedication. Currently, legends Juan and Júnior Baiano share the all-time record, both with 32 goals.
With his contract renewed through 2027 and after turning down an approach from Besiktas, the player has shown that his full focus is on continuing to make history in Rio de Janeiro.
“Léo Pereira’s consistency and his long-term commitment to the club give fans hope that this all-time record could be broken in the coming years.”
Next steps
The focus now shifts to the Brazilian Serie A. Flamengo is preparing for a crucial clash against Internacional this Wednesday (29), for the 21st round of the competition, at Estádio Beira-Rio. It is an opportunity for the center-back to further extend his personal tally and help the Rubro-Negro secure valuable points away from home.
By Mengão 360
