Every sacrifice is worth it to defend the Sacred Mantle. This was the case with Cuéllar, a defensive midfielder who returned from his national team duties to play in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil grand final. In front of a packed Maracanã stadium, the "Mais Querido" drew 1-1 with Cruzeiro, with the Colombian midfielder featuring in the second half.

The defensive midfielder started as coach Reinaldo Rueda's starting choice for Thursday's match. Despite apparent fitness concerns, Cuéllar dismissed any fatigue from the trip and played his usual style during his time on the field, attributing the coach's choice to the work he did during the week.

"I was 100% in the physical part. The coach opted for another formation and I have to respect that. I didn't participate in the training that the team did for this game, so I thought it was normal. I think we played a great game and when I came on, I gave my best," said the number 26.

With a goal from Lucas Paquetá, Flamengo took the lead. However, the Minas Gerais team managed to equalize at the end of the second half. The midfielder attributed the tie to a lack of composure in the decisive moments of the game.

"That's exactly what happened in the final stretch of the game. We had to control the game more in the final stages and not give Cruzeiro, who have a great team, the counterattack. That's about to improve now. We need to win the game there and bring the title to this great crowd," he analyzed.

On August 27th, at Mineirão Stadium, Flamengo will face Cruzeiro for the title, and the Colombian midfielder believes the quality and unity of the group are the keys to returning to Rio de Janeiro with the Copa do Brasil title. "Now the strongest part of the group, the Flamengo family, has to leave," he concluded.