Flamengo sweep South American Footballer of the Year nominees | OneFootball

On Monday, El Pais newspaper published the top-three candidates for the title of “Rei da América” (King of America), which is awarded to the best South American footballer of the year.

In what’s seen as little surprise to many, Flamengo have become just the third team in history to sweep the nominations, just as River Plate had done last year and in 2014.

Bruno Henrique, Gabigol, and Giorgian De Arrascaeta will battle it out for the title, while Jorge Jesus is the clear favourite to win the Manager of the Year award.

Independiente del Valle’s Miguel Ángel Ramírez and River Plate’s Marcelo Gallardo have also been nominated.

The player who claims the honour will become just the second Flamengo player to earn the award, with Zico having won in 1977, 1981, and 1982.

With the club’s fourth win, Flamengo will move into a tie for second place with Boca Juniors and Internacional, far behind River Plate’s total of eight.

Atlanta United’s Gonzalo ‘Pity’ Martínez won the award in 2018 with River, while Luan of Corinthians won the award in 2017 with Grêmio.