Former Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira is a two-time Copa Libertadores Final runner-up.
The worst moment of Andreas Pereira‘s career occurred in 2021 when he was on loan from Manchester United to Flamengo.
Pereira’s loan spell never recovered from his mistake in the Copa Libertadores Final in 2021, where he gave the ball away, leading to Palmeiras scoring a winner.
Pereira’s extra-time error saw his Flamengo side lose the biggest game in South American football, against a Brazilian rival.
Flamengo fans could not forgive Pereira for his error, and the club did not front up the money to re-sign him.
The following season Flamengo went on to win the trophy, with Pereira playing a role in the early rounds. But when the 2022 Final was held, Pereira had been sold by Manchester United to Fulham.
Andreas Pereira playing for Palmeiras vs Flamengo
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Andreas Pereira loses again
Andreas Pereira left the Premier League earlier in 2025, signing with Brazilian club Palmeiras, the side who benefitted from his error in 2021.
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And in the 2025 Copa Libertadores Final, Pereira ended up facing his former club Flamengo.
Another all-Brazil clash was held in a neutral venue in Peru, and despite Pereira’s best efforts, he had to settle for a runners-up medal once again.
Former Manchester City defender Danilo scored a headed winner for Flamengo in the second half, with Palmeiras striker Vitor Roque missing a late chance to equalise.
Flamengo’s redemption against Palmeiras was the opposite for Pereira, who has now lost both match-ups between the two teams in the Libertadores Final.
Pereira’s double-heartbreak is an agonising one for him to take, and he is in good company.
In 2023, former Manchester United stars Edinson Cavani, Marcos Rojo and Sergio Romero lost the Libertadores Final for Boca Juniors, against Fluminense.
Pereira’s defeat came after he recently took a dig at Manchester United’s training facilities, insisting Palmeiras had it better.
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Guillermo Varela playing for Flamengo vs Palmeiras
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Guillermo Varela wins the Libertadores
Andreas Pereira’s heartbreak was juxtaposed with jubilation for his former Manchester United teammate, Guillermo Varela.
The two players crossed paths under Louis van Gaal in the 2015/16 season at Old Trafford.
Varela has enjoyed a successful career away from United, and he started the game for Flamengo, going up against Pereira.
The right-back was one of the best players on the pitch to help Flamengo keep a clean sheet in the 1-0 victory.
He signed for Flamengo on loan in July 2022, after Pereira’s exit, before agreeing a permanent deal in 2023. He was not part of their squad for the Libertadores Final in 2022.
Varela has been a fixture in the Flamengo side ever since he signed a permanent deal, and at 32-years-old, winning the Copa Libertadores Final is his finest moment.