Flamengo's Under-12s gain invaluable international experience at LaLiga FC Futures

Flamengo's Under-12 squad concluded their 10th LaLiga FC Futures campaign on Sunday, 4 October, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, United States. The 2014 generation capped an unforgettable five-match experience against world-class opposition.

The tournament, held between 2 and 4 October, brought together elite youth academies from across the globe. Alongside Flamengo, participating clubs included Atlético Madrid, Villarreal, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Real Betis, Sevilla, Elche and Getafe from Spain; Palmeiras from Brazil; River Plate and Boca Juniors from Argentina; and Inter Miami and Orlando City from the United States.

This marked Flamengo's third appearance at the tournament, following editions in 2024 and 2025. All matches took place at one of the region's premier sporting complexes.

Flamengo topped Group B in the opening phase with four points from two matches—one victory and one draw—scoring twice and conceding once. In the quarter-finals on Saturday, 3 October, the Rio side dispatched Orlando City 3-0 to secure a place in the semi-finals.

On Sunday, Flamengo met River Plate in the semi-final but fell short, losing 2-1. In the third-place play-off, they faced defending champions Atlético Madrid and suffered a 3-2 defeat. The campaign saw Flamengo finish fourth among the 14 competing sides.

Beyond the results, the tournament exposed the young players to different footballing philosophies and elite-level demands. Every player featured across all five matches, with squad rotation ensuring the entire group gained valuable minutes and confronted the tournament's rigours.

"Sportively, competing in a LaLiga-badged tournament placed our boys at an exceptionally high level of demand. They faced teams with outstanding organisational and structural standards. It was genuinely rewarding to witness the team's evolution throughout the competition—their approach to challenges and courage on the pitch. To do all this wearing the Flamengo shirt was a tremendous privilege for all of us," said head coach Thiago Gama.

The experience extended beyond the pitch. During their stay, the players visited Universal theme parks and operated outside their normal Brazilian environment. For the coaching staff, these moments form an integral part of player development.

"It was a unique experience for our athletes, both sportively and culturally. Seeing the brightness in each child's eyes as they lived that moment was deeply special—full of enjoyment and joy," he added.

Gama also underscored the human development fostered by the tour.

"In our work with them, the focus was entirely on human growth. For many, this was their first international journey, away from family and assuming responsibilities whilst working within the group. We took care of every detail to ensure they felt secure and could make the most of this experience," he explained.

On the pitch, forward Murilo Aroucha led Flamengo's scoring charts with three goals. Lucas Sabatine and Carlinhos emerged as the team's creative forces, each recording two assists.

For Gama, the lessons learnt in Orlando transcend individual match results and form the bedrock of youth player development.

"This kind of competition sees them return more confident, more united as a group, and having experienced a different culture, language and footballing references. It shapes their development for life."