Ryan Roberto Reveals Frustration Over Lack of Opportunities at Flamengo

By:Luzia AiresFlamengo EN28/08/2026at 15:20

A promising talent developed in Flamengo‘s youth academy, Ryan Roberto breaks his silence and exposes the behind-the-scenes issues that motivated his transfer to European football in June 2026.

The departure of young talents from Ninho do Urubu (Flamengo’s youth training center) is a recurring topic behind the scenes at Gávea, but rarely addressed with the candor shown by midfielder Ryan Roberto. Two months after wearing the Shakhtar Donetsk jersey in Ukraine, the player decided to open up about the reasons that led him to reject a contract renewal with Rubro-Negro (Flamengo’s nickname).

The player, who was seen as one of the biggest hopes for the future of the professional squad, revealed that the club’s political environment and the absence of real opportunities in the first team were decisive factors in the negotiation’s outcome. The statement calls into question the management’s transition of promising young players to the senior squad.

The Outburst About Lack of Playing Time

In a recent interview with the portal ‘Lance!’, the midfielder did not hide his bitterness about never even making it to the bench during his time at the club. For the athlete, the expectation of reaching the professional team was the driving force of his journey since he was 15 years old.

I always wanted to move to Europe to play, but my first step, ever since I arrived at Flamengo, was always to think about playing for the club’s professional team. I really wanted to play for Flamengo’s first team, have opportunities, have chances to play. But, when I started to realize how the club’s politics worked, it began to distance me a bit from that desire, that wish to play for Flamengo. It remains a dream, but I think I had to open my mind to a second option.

Behind the Scenes of the Departure and Transfer Value

The renewal process between Flamengo‘s board and Ryan Roberto‘s representatives encountered definitive impasses in the final stretch of his contract, which was originally set to expire in March 2027. Due to the lack of agreement, the player was sidelined, sealing his move to Ukraine. According to the Equipe M360, the total transaction could reach 10 million euros (approximately R$ 58.79 million).

The deal was structured with a fixed fee of 9.5 million euros, plus 500,000 euros in performance-based bonuses. Rubro-Negro also retained 10% of the player’s economic rights, aiming for future profits from any subsequent sales of the young midfielder in the European market.

The impact of Ryan Roberto‘s departure raises an alert about retaining youth academy talent. While the club focuses on high-profile signings, the transition of gems from the Ninho remains a point of concern. The player’s future now lies in Eastern Europe, where he seeks the prominence that, according to his own account, was denied to him in Rio de Janeiro.

Equipe M360