After finalizing Plata’s negotiations with Dinamo Moscow and Wallace Yan with Bragantino, Flamengo acted in the market to secure two new strikers. Anthony Valencia and Joaquín Freitas have already arrived in Rio de Janeiro and are preparing for the official announcement as reinforcements for the Rio club. Mix Vale presents the profile of both and details the expectations for the fans.
Both players are seen as promises in their nations and arrive to expand the tactical options of the squad led by coach Leonardo Jardim. Valencia, a 23-year-old striker, arrived in Rio de Janeiro on August 30, 2026, coming from Royal Antwerp, from Belgium. Joaquín Freitas, 19 years old, arrived on August 31, 2026, after leaving River Plate, in Argentina.
Joaquín Freitas’ trajectory in Argentine football
Among the two names hired, Joaquín Freitas, aged 19, is seen as the biggest promise. His rise in football was remarkably rapid. The striker began his professional career at Acassuso, a club in the Argentine second division, and in 2024 he moved to River Plate, where he would initially be part of the under-20 team, but his stay there was brief.
Freitas’ progression through River Plate’s youth divisions was dizzying: he scored 11 goals, contributed three assists and had excellent performances in 34 matches as a center forward. This exceptional performance quickly propelled him into the first team, still under the management of Marcelo Gallardo. His debut in the professional team occurred at the age of 18, and from then on he conquered his space and established himself in the group.
In a short time, Joaquín Freitas signed his first professional contract, valid until December 31, 2028 and with a termination fine set at US$100 million. For River Plate’s main team, the striker participated in 29 games, scoring a single goal. Despite the numbers, he was considered a very beloved player by the fans.
Freitas has also had the opportunity to be called up to Argentina’s senior team. In June, the young striker made his appearance at the end of the victorious match against Honduras, a friendly preparatory match for the World Cup.
An important tactical decision awaits Leonardo Jardim: Freitas’ most impactful performances in the Argentine professional team occurred in the position of second striker, while in River’s youth teams, he stood out as a center forward. The initial expectation is that the player will be integrated into the squad as a center forward, where he will be able to compete for position with Pedro.
The profile of Anthony Valencia, former Independiente del Valle
Anthony Valencia represents another of the countless promises revealed by Independiente del Valle, from Ecuador, over the years. He began his journey at Deportivo Azogues as a teenager and was noticed by the Ecuadorian club, known for its strong culture of training and discovering new talents.
In Ecuador, Valencia already stood out even before reaching Independiente del Valle’s main team. His performances at youth level guaranteed him promising status and attracted the attention of several European clubs. Upon turning 18, he was transferred to Royal Antwerp, Belgium.
At the beginning of his time in Belgium, Valencia played for the Belgian club’s youth teams before being promoted to the main squad in 2022. Despite good numbers, his career was marked by injuries that prevented the full development of his potential. In 2025, he suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, but has now fully recovered.
The young athlete was also part of the Ecuadorian team that participated in the 2026 World Cup, although he did not play in any matches. An interesting fact is that he competed for a place in the team with Plata, a player recently traded by Flamengo.
In terms of characteristics, Valencia stands out for being a left-footed striker who prefers to play as a right winger. His main qualities include his speed and ability to dribble down the field. Unlike Freitas, the Ecuadorian player shows a preference for playing on the flanks. In the Ecuador national team, however, he played roles as a second or third midfielder.
