Gabigol Faces Flamengo Again in Sunday Showdown

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — Flamengo will meet former star Gabigol for the first time since his departure to Cruzeiro during their match at Mineirão on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. local time. This exciting encounter is part of the seventh round of the Campeonato Brasileiro.

Gabigol, who spent six seasons with Flamengo and left a significant mark on the club’s history, will play against his old team after transferring late last year. While fans still hold fond memories of Gabigol, Pedro has proven himself as a worthy successor to the prized number 9 jersey.

Since taking over as a starter, Pedro has been critical to Flamengo’s performance, directly contributing to 77 goals — scoring 65 times and providing 12 assists — compared to Gabigol’s 33 contributions during the same period, which included 28 goals and five assists.

Pedro recently returned from a serious knee injury and has already scored four goals in five games. With Flamengo expected to play at least 39 more matches this year, it is possible he could surpass Gabigol’s goal tally by the end of 2025.

Gabigol, who has not been a regular starter for Cruzeiro, is expected to begin the match on the bench. Meanwhile, Pedro, fresh from a break after a Copa do Brasil match, will lead Flamengo’s attack. “I hope we can continue our good run,” Pedro said in a video. “We know it will be tough. Cruzeiro has a great team, especially at their home. But we will enter to win.”

This match also marks the first time Pedro has faced Gabigol since their earlier encounter in June 2018, when Gabigol’s Santos defeated Pedro’s Fluminense 1-0 at Maracanã.