Ex-United gem's Libertadores calvary: Wherever he goes, defeat follows him

The 2021 Copa Libertadores final was the fourth all-Brazilian trophy match in the South American elite club competition, and the first one in which Flamengo and Palmeiras faced off. The game was bursting with passion, tension, and fierce battles - practically a war on the pitch.

After 90 minutes, the result was 1-1, as the Rubro-Negro's Gabriel Barbosa annulled Raphael Veiga's early opener for the Verdao, and extra time followed.

The additional half an hour brought out both a hero - Palmeiras' Deyverson, who netted a 95th-minute winner for the Sao Paulo side's back-to-back Copa Libertadores titles - and a tragic figure, Flamengo's Andreas Pereira.

The Man United child was three years in the Red Devils' youth categories and eight more in the senior squad, though he spent most of the time on loan at Granada, Valencia, Lazio, and finally, the aforementioned club from Rio de Janeiro.

In that "doomed" 95th minute of the 2021 final, he dropped between his centre-backs to get the ball and start a new attack - something he'd done countless times before. However, this time was different.

He lost his focus for just a split second, but gave enough time to Deyverson to steal the ball, face the keeper one-on-one, and find the net.

Nine months later, he left the famous Maracana, permanently said goodbye to Old Trafford, and joined Fulham, where he spent three seasons.

But then, the voice from his homeland called again. This time, it was the club that nearly ruined his confidence - Palmeiras. And he said yes, hoping to finally get closure of the most nightmarish story of his career.

And the opportunity presented itself precisely four years and two days later. Another Copa Libertadores final, the same rivals, but different colours and a different emblem on his chest.

Flamengo wrote the history of Brazilian football

Unfortunately for poor Pereira, the outcome wasn't the same. Not for the clubs, but for him, it was.

In the 67th minute of the "Brazilian war" at Estadio Monumental in Lima, Peru, the 34-year-old former Real Madrid, Man City, and Juventus defender, and the Selecao international, Danilo, netted the winner for Flamengo, leaving Pereira empty-handed once again, striking a dagger through his heart, and making him relive his worst nightmare.

Palmeiras won it in 2021, Flamengo won it in 2025, and the 29-year-old midfielder again found himself on the losing side.

Yes, he was named one of the winners of Rubro-Negro's 2022 Copa Libertadores title, but he had already been a Fulham player when his then-former teammates beat Atletico Paranaense 1-0 in the final.

Perhaps he'll run away to Europe as he did three years ago, or try again next season. Or maybe he no longer cares. Either way, one thing is almost certain - he definitely just wants this Libertadores calvary to end.