Neto, Declared Critic, Bets Big and Predicts Flamengo as Brazilian Serie A and Libertadores Champion
Neto, an iconic figure in Brazilian football known for his sharp criticisms of Flamengo, surprised many by declaring that the Rio de Janeiro club will win both the Brazilian Serie A and the Libertadores titles this season. The statement, made after the 28th round of the national championship, marks a notable surrender from the former player to the Rubro-Negro squad’s current performance.
Neto’s Shift in Stance
Neto, a Corinthians idol and frequent critic of Flamengo, admitted that Palmeiras has lost its chances to contend for the Brazilian Serie A title. In his analysis on the show ‘Os Donos da Bola’, the host highlighted Flamengo’s strong squad and projected a double title win. “I think I lost the bet to Souza. My brother. It’s over… Palmeiras can’t compete with these guys anymore. Forget the advantage Palmeiras had. Folks, Flamengo will be Libertadores champion and Brazilian Serie A champion. They will be, Souza. This team is playing really well,” he stated.
Neto’s opinion carries weight due to his history of declared rivalry with Flamengo’s fanbase and his recurring criticisms, including accusations of favoritism from the CBF. Should his prediction come true, Flamengo would repeat a historic feat: winning the two main competitions simultaneously for two consecutive years. The last Brazilian club to achieve this was Pelé’s Santos in 1962 and 1963.
Probabilities and Current Scenario
Statistics reinforce Neto’s projection. Flamengo holds a 78.84% chance of winning the Brazilian Serie A, while Palmeiras saw its probability drop to 20.42% after the last round.
In the Libertadores, Flamengo is preparing to face Estudiantes (ARG) in the semifinals, with the first leg scheduled for October 15th in Argentina and the return match on October 22nd at the Maracanã. Palmeiras, on the other hand, will play Fluminense in the other semifinal, with matches on October 14th and 21st.
The national calendar is currently paused due to the FIFA international break, but the teams will return to the Brazilian Serie A on October 8th. Flamengo will play against Santos at Vila Belmiro, while Palmeiras will host Bahia in São Paulo.
Neto’s projection adds another layer of excitement to the final stretch of the season, with Flamengo fans confident and rivals paying close attention to the team aiming to consolidate its dominance in Brazilian and South American football.
By Equipe M360
