[15:55, 15/09/2025] Heitor: The streets of Rio were painted red and black. Murals of Gabriel Silva appeared on walls, flags with his face waved in buses and cars. He was no longer just Flamengo's jewel—he was the símbolo of their dream.
The Maracanã was ready for war. Flamengo vs. River Plate. The Libertadores final. 80,000 fans in the stadium, millions more watching around the world.
But before the storm, Gabriel found peace in a voice.
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The Night Before
In the hotel room, sleep refused to come. His phone buzzed.
"Can't sleep?" Mel's message lit the screen.
He smiled faintly and called. Her voice, soft and warm, filled the silence.
"You've come so far, Gabriel," she said. "From the backyard to here. Tomorrow, it's history."
"I'm nervous," he admitted. "Eu…
[15:58, 15/09/2025] Heitor: King of Brazil
The season had been long, cruel, and glorious. Gabriel Silva was no longer just Flamengo's prodigy — he was their weapon.
From the first round of the Brasileirão, he terrorized defenses. Dribbles, nutmegs, rockets from outside the box, cheeky chips — every week, the highlights carried his name.
By September, the numbers were absurd: 21 goals in 25 matches. Fans and media had stopped asking "Is he real?" and started asking "How far can he go?"
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The Race for the Title
The Brasileirão was a war. Palmeiras, Atlético Mineiro, and São Paulo all chased the title, but Flamengo, carried by Gabriel's fire, led the pack.
The penultimate round was decisive: Flamengo vs. Palmeiras, in São Paulo. Win, and the title would be theirs.
The Allianz Parque roared against them. Palmeiras attacked relentlessly, but Gabriel thrived under pressure.
At the 40th minute, he received the ball outside the box. One touch to control, another to flick it over Murilo, and a thunderous volley with his left foot. The net bulged. Silence from Palmeiras. Roar from Flamengo's traveling fans.
In the second half, with the score 1–1, Arrascaeta slipped him through. Gabriel cut inside, leaving Gómez sliding helplessly, and curled the ball into the top corner.
2–1. Flamengo crowned champions with a game to spare.
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Artilheiro
The season ended with Gabriel's stats written in gold:
Brasileirão 2026: 30 goals in 37 matches.
Top Scorer (Artilheiro).
Best Player of the Season.
Flamengo Champion.
At 20 years old, he had achieved what many players never touched in their careers.
The Maracanã honored him in the final home game, a mosaic rising in the stands: "Gabriel, nossa chama eterna."
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The Celebration
That night, Rio de Janeiro became a carnival. Fans filled the streets, fireworks thundered, drums and chants echoed until dawn.
On the victory stage, Gabriel lifted the Brasileirão trophy, confetti raining down. His teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders. The crowd screamed his name again and again, like a hymn.
From the stands, his mother cried. Mel was there too, clapping, smiling with pride, her eyes never leaving his.
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Between Love and Glory
Later, at the celebration dinner, Gabriel slipped away for a moment, escaping the chaos. Mel followed, finding him leaning against a balcony, the city glowing behind him.
"You did it," she said softly.
"We did it," Gabriel corrected with a grin. "You've been with me through it all."
She touched his arm gently. "And I'll be there for what comes next."
Gabriel looked out over the city. He knew offers from Europe were piling up. Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, all waiting. But in that moment, with the Brasileirão medal around his neck and Mel by his side, he let himself breathe.
"I'm not done here yet," he whispered. "But when I go… I want to carry all of this with me."
---
The Legend Begins
The papers the next morning screamed:
"Gabriel Silva: Artilheiro do Brasileirão."
"At only 20, he's already a king."
"The flame that lights Brazil."
Gabriel had conquered Rio. He had conquered Brazil.
And now, Europe was calling louder than ever.