Filipe Luís: Criticism helps Wallace Yan and Flamengo players grow | OneFootball

Dealing with criticism is part of growing up? Filipe Luís used the example of Flamengo’s young players to reflect on the topic

Wallace Yan has recently stood out at Flamengo for his technical performance and remarkable attitude. At just 20 years old, however, he was responsible for the missed penalty that sealed the red-and-black team’s elimination from the Copa do Brasil. Since then, the young player has faced intense criticism, motivated both by the decisive mistake and by his manner of self-expression. For coach Filipe Luís, situations like this are part of a professional athlete’s development.

— Criticism is part of a professional athlete’s growth. The better he (Wallace Yan) can handle criticism, he, Matheus (Gonçalves), Cleiton, Lorran, João (Victor), Evertton Araújo… All the young players who go through criticism, the better they handle it, the greater they will become as players -, began Filipe Luís.

— All the players in my squad have been criticized at some point in their careers. It’s part of the process. He has to assimilate it as soon as possible and not let it get him down. And come back stronger. I have no doubt that he will come back stronger -, he said, in a post-match press conference this Wednesday (06).

Flamengo’s elimination took place last Wednesday (06), at Arena MRV, after a 1-1 draw on aggregate against Atlético-MG and a defeat in the penalty shootout. Wallace, who had already been gaining ground among the professionals, was one of the players to miss his penalty. The situation generated strong reactions among fans, sparking discussions about the role of young players in important decisions and the impact of pressure at the start of their careers.

WHAT DO WALLACE YAN’S NUMBERS SAY ABOUT HIS GROWTH?

Despite the criticism, Wallace Yan has been establishing himself more and more in Flamengo’s professional squad. In 2025, he has already played 23 matches, scored seven goals, and accumulated 612 minutes on the field, showing potential and earning the coaching staff’s confidence.

WHAT IS FLAMENGO’S NEXT MATCH?

With Wallace Yan available, Flamengo refocuses on leading the Campeonato Brasileiro. The team takes the field this Saturday (09), at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, to face Mirassol in the 19th round of the competition. As usual, Coluna do Fla offers the best coverage on the internet, with YouTube broadcasts, updates on the website, and on social media.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.