Made in Brazil, raised and trained at Ninho, and champions around the world. This is how the athletes who make up Flamengo's youth academy can be considered. Dallas, Dubai, Premier Cup, Dossena. Many might have thought that the four international titles this season would be enough, but that wasn't what the Ninho Boys thought. Those who play for Flamengo and wear the Sacred Mantle are insatiable in their pursuit of titles, and they become accustomed from an early age to always wanting more—and to winning, of course. 

On Tuesday morning (28), the U-17 team, led by coach Phelipe Leal and who had already won the Dallas Cup in March in the United States, beat Villarreal (ESP) 5-4 on penalties, after a 1-1 draw (Sydney) in normal time, and was also crowned champion of the Evergrande Cup U-17 International Football Championship in China, ending the cycle of international competitions in the 2018 season with a flourish, bringing to Gávea no less than the fifth title. Do you think that's a lot? Then hold on to this: all of them won undefeated. In addition to them, it's worth remembering, the Garotos do Ninho have already secured this year, on Brazilian soil, the Copa São Paulo, the Campeonato Carioca U-20 and the Taça Os Donos da Bola U-14. And December is still a long way off...

Just as in the competition's debut, the duel against the Spanish side in the final was extremely tight and evenly matched. Just six minutes into the match, Villarreal opened the scoring after a corner kick. With fierce fighting and dedication, the "Garotos do Ninho" (The Boys of the Nest) fought back and only managed to equalize in the 25th minute of the second half. Sidney made a beautiful individual play on the right flank of the red-and-black attack, cut inside, and fired a beautiful shot into the top corner, sending the decision to a penalty shootout.

Then, Flamengo's goalkeeping academy shone once again, traditionally producing great players for the position year after year, and which continues to thrive, with an ever-accelerating pace of production in terms of quantity and, above all, quality. From the first Spanish penalty, the defensive midfielder Pedro Victor got the corner and made the save. And that was enough, because with composure and composure, Lucas Gabriel, Yuri, Sidney, Rhyan, and Gomes secured—don't forget the count—the fifth international title of the year for Flamengo's youth soccer.

"Being champion wearing the Sacred Mantle and representing this Nation is incredibly moving, as we work day after day to achieve our goals. We've overcome numerous difficulties that only we know, we've faced and defeated a lion every day, and I'm certain there's no team in the world more deserving than ours. Specifically regarding penalties, we worked on this situation daily with Thiago Eler, our coach. I felt fully prepared, and at that moment, all I could think about was making the save. Thank God it worked out, and it's a moment that will forever be etched in my memory. Our generation will bring much joy to the Red-Black Nation. That's what we work for!" said goalkeeper Pedro Victor.

"The moment the goal was incredibly tense for our team, as we were losing the game and watched time tick away without being able to equalize. Thank God, I was able to help the team with a beautiful goal, which took the decision to penalties. There, I was certain the title would be ours, knowing Pedro Victor would save at least one, and that, given our quality, we would hardly lose any. Fortunately, that's what happened. For all the difficulties we face daily, our generation deserves the world. I thank my family and Flamengo for everything that has happened in my life," said Sidney, who was named MVP of the final.