The round of 16 stage of the Conmebol Libertadores, which takes place on August 12, 2026, promises a clash full of emotion and rivalry for Gerson and Leonardo Jardim, central figures in this confrontation. Both reach the decisive stage of the competition amidst a scenario of great expectations and friction. After leaving Flamengo and Cruzeiro in a complicated manner, Gerson and Leonardo Jardim now find themselves faced with the challenge of overcoming their former teams in search of a place in the quarter-finals.
The opening chapter of this confrontation, called “protest knockout”, will have coach Leonardo Jardim at the center of attention. With the first leg scheduled for Mineirão, it will be the coach who will first feel the negative expression from Cruzeiro fans. The main cause is recent: his departure from the Minas Gerais club in December 2025 and the subsequent agreement with Flamengo, just three months later. This resentment persists, without having been minimized even by the arrival of Arthur Jorge to the Belo Horizonte team.
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At that time, Jardim requested to break his contract with Cruzeiro, justifying that he intended to take a break from his career as a coach. He also reiterated on several occasions that, if he returned to play in Brazilian football, it would be exclusively for the celestial club. However, in March of this year, he accepted the proposal to take command of Flamengo, succeeding Filipe Luís, who had been fired. When justifying his choice, he said he “had been naive” in his previous statements and expressed respect for the Minas Gerais club.
Leonardo Jardim has already experienced a bit of this hostile scenario at Maracanã, during the opening round of the Brazilian Championship. In the initial meeting against his former team, which resulted in Flamengo’s 3-1 victory, the coach was the target of insults as a “mercenary” and harassed by Cruzeiro fans present at the scene. However, at Mineirão, he will make his first appearance as an opponent in front of his former fans.
Possible hostility awaits Gerson in reunion with former club
The same game that generated hostility against Jardim also serves as an indication of the reception that Gerson may receive. The conclusion of the midfielder’s career at Flamengo was marked by tensions, including disagreements with the board and a legal dispute that has already produced moments of conflict.
The period of friction between Gerson and Flamengo began at the beginning of the previous year, amid talks to renew his contract. Even with a contract valid until the end of 2027, the then captain of the red-black team wanted greater salary recognition. Marcão, the athlete’s father and manager, made public demands to the board. As a reaction, President Bap demonstrated irony when referring to the player’s father during a meeting with advisors. In April, Gerson had his contract extended, with a salary adjustment and the extension of the agreement until the end of 2030.
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However, this same renewal ended up shortening Gerson’s stay at the club. Flamengo revised the termination fine from 200 million euros (equivalent to approximately R$1.2 billion) to 25 million euros (approximately R$160 million), defining an amount for a possible transfer of the athlete, who was already under observation by Zenit. In July, the Russian team paid the established fine and the player left Rio de Janeiro. Just six months later, he signed a contract with Cruzeiro.
In January this year, Flamengo began legal proceedings with the aim of charging R$42.7 million from the midfielder and FGM Sports, a company managed by Marcão, the player’s father and manager.
Gerson accumulated more than 200 matches defending Flamengo, during which time he won 12 trophies, including a Libertadores in 2019 and two Brazilian Championships in 2019 and 2020. The last time the midfielder wore the red-black shirt was in the clash against Bayern Munich, in the elimination during the round of 16 of the Club World Cup. On that occasion, he scored a goal in the 4-2 defeat.
Leonardo Jardim arrived at Cruzeiro in February 2025, taking over the position previously held by Fernando Diniz. In addition to reaching the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil, the team under his command finished the Brasileirão in third place, guaranteeing a direct place in the group stage of the 2026 Libertadores. The coach’s history at the club includes 55 games, with 26 wins, 18 draws and 11 defeats.