Three international tournaments played, three titles won. This is the brilliant record of Flamengo's U-16 team in the 2019 season, which hasn't even reached its halfway point. Two-time world champion in Dubai and champion of the Verona Soccer Cup in Italy (under coach Mario Jorge), the team traveled to the Puskás-Suzuki Kupa in Hungary, knowing that this time the task would be even more difficult, as it was an U-17 competition. With coach Ramon Lima at the helm, the "Garotos do Ninho" (The Boys of the Nest) were undaunted on the field, despite playing against more experienced and physically stronger teams. With an excellent campaign, they won another international trophy for Flamengo's youth soccer in 2019, the fourth of the season. In addition to the three U-16 titles, the U-12 team was crowned IberCup champion, beating Inter Milan in the final.

Right from the start, Flamengo showed what it was made of. They secured a commanding 1-0 victory over the mighty Real Madrid (ESP), with a goal from top scorer Wiverson after a beautiful pass from Daniel Campos. Vastly superior on the field, Flamengo created numerous scoring opportunities but were thwarted by the opposing goalkeeper's excellent performance. Even so, the important victory on their debut was assured. It's worth remembering that in 2018, Flamengo defeated Real Madrid in the final of the Dubai International Championship and became world champions for the first time. They achieved their second title in 2019.

In the second round, there was a shock. With a strong performance in the first half, Flamengo opened up a two-goal lead over Budapest Honved of Hungary. João Pedro and Diego scored. In the second half, however, the performance wasn't the same, and the Rubro-Negro suffered a tough comeback, conceding a third goal in stoppage time. Nothing that could shake the winning streak of the "Garotos do Ninho" (Nest Boys). A day later, they returned to the field for the final round of the group stage knowing that only a two-goal victory over Vitoruul Academia Hagi (ROM), then the group leader, would be enough to qualify directly for the grand final (unlike most competitions, the Puskás-Suzuki Kupa doesn't have a semifinal. The top-place team in each group qualifies directly for the final).

And victory came. With immense determination, technical skill, and a will to win, Flamengo attacked their opponents from the opening whistle, and with goals from Ryan Luka four minutes into the first half and Wiverson six minutes into the second, the 2-0 triumph gave the Mais Querido the right to play in another international final this season.

And everyone knows that when Flamengo arrives, it's hard to stop. The final against Puskas Academy, the home team, was thrilling, a game worthy of testing the hearts of everyone present at Pancho Arena. Just eight minutes into the game, João Pedro opened the scoring for the Boys of the Nest. But facing the home team and a packed stadium cheering against them was no easy feat. The Hungarians' comeback came in the first half, with goals from Vizler in the 22nd minute and Nagy in the 29th minute.

The competition rules called for two 30-minute halves, and the Red-Blacks pulled themselves together and returned for the second half, aware that they would have less time to try to turn the game around than usual. Another challenge overcome for a team with the spirit of a champion running through its veins. In the fourth minute, Kaiky leveled the score. The game was tense and evenly matched. Time was ticking, and everyone knew that whoever scored the third goal would be very close to the title.

And it was Flamengo who did it. In the 24th minute, Ryan Luka put the Red-Blacks back in front. Vita's own goal in the 26th minute only solidified the Mais Querido's victory and gave the Boys of the Nest (or should that be "Boys of the World"?) the right to celebrate once again away from home, and to show the world that Flamengo's youth academy is growing stronger every day, the result of a vertically integrated and excellent work methodology that fills the more than 42 million fans around the world with pride.

Flamengo's starting lineup, winner of the Puskás-Suzuki Kupa: Bernardo, Micael, Diego, Kaiky, Richard; Leonardo, Arthur Lessa, Daniel Campos; Wiverson, João Pedro and Ryan Luka. Coach: Ramon Lima.