Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa has been formally presented as a Flamengo player following his January transfer window move from Inter.
The 23-year-old striker ended his three and a half year association with Inter to join the Rio de Janeiro based club on a permanent basis off the back of a highly successful loan spell in 2019.
During his loan spell with the Rubronegro club, Gabigol made 58 appearances across all competitions. In that time he scored a highly impressed 43 goals and tallied 13 assists for his teammates. He was also pivotal in Flamengo winning the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and Copa Libertadores.
As per reports, Inter have pocketed around €20 million through the sale of the Brazilian international, who joined the club back in the Summer of 2016 but ultimately failed to live up to the lofty expectations that everyone had of him.
“From the beginning, the club leaders knew that I wanted to stay at Flamengo. I had no doubts. I think a player should be happy and feel at home and that’s how I feel here,” he remarked during his official unveiling press conference, as quoted by the Brazilian edition of ESPN.
“For a player to feel satisfied, he does not need to go to play in Europe, nor does he have to leave his country. We have strong teams and Flamengo are at a very high level.
“We have a manager, who, in my opinion, is one of the best in the world. I have a five yea contract and I am going to stick to that and maybe stay much longer.”
