Flamengo goalkeeper Hugo Souza emotional after near-perfect debut | OneFootball

Due to the enormous coronavirus outbreak in the Flamengo camp that has caused 27 players to test positive, Flamengo fourth-string goalkeeper Hugo Souza was thrown in goal for the massive clash against Palmeiras on Sunday.

Playing for the first time in nine months, the first time since his father passed, the 21-year-old earned man-of-the-match honours with a six-save performance in an unlikely 1-1 draw in São Paulo.

Following the match, Hugo Souza was clearly overcome by emotion, with the tears flowing as he was mobbed by his team-mates. He shared a long embrace with his mother after he left the pitch.

“I haven’t played in nine months. The difference from the last one to this one is that my father was in the stands watching me and today I don’t have him anymore.

“Six months ago I lost my father, the guy that gave me everything. It was the first time that I entered the field without my father.

“He’s not here physically, he’s not at home, but he’s up there better than us. I went onto the field thinking about him and about my family.

“I have my mother, my brother… my brothers from my father. This victory (man of the match) goes to my family.”

With 18 points, Flamengo is the sixth place in the Brasileirão and will next take on Independiente del Valle on Wednesday in matchday five of the Copa Libertadores group stage.