Pedro, the Flamengo forward, has officially begun his physical preparation to return to the pitch after recovering from knee surgery. The news came from the club on March 25, 2025, after he was cleared by the medical staff, including the surgeon who performed the operation on his left leg.
The injury, which occurred on September 4, 2024, during training with the Brazilian national team, involved the rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament. Following surgery, he initiated his rehabilitation program at Flamengo, starting with rigorous physiotherapy and gradually moving on to strength training.
On his first day back on the field at the CT George Helal, Pedro participated under the watchful eye of physical trainer Junior Bezerra. Together, they engaged in coordination exercises, passing drills, and even scoring goals, showcasing Pedro's progress after weeks of therapy. "This first moment on the field prioritized physical conditioning through technical gestures such as ball control and finishing," stated Diogo Linhares, Flamengo’s physical trainer.
Throughout his rehabilitation, medical monitoring has been pivotal. Dr. Luiz Antônio Martins Vieira, who performed the surgery, and Fernando Sassaki, Flamengo's medical chief, emphasized the importance of regularly assessing Pedro's progress. "The response of the player to stimuli was excellent, enabling us to evolve his recovery," Sassaki explained, underscoring the gradual and careful approach taken to respect Pedro's physical limits.
Sassaki also noted, "We kept constant contact with Dr. Luiz Antônio Vieira, and each stage of recovery was confirmed through tests, always respecting the biological individuality of the athlete and the concepts of ligamentization. Although there’s still much work to be done, the outlook is very positive." This perspective is reassuring for both the coaching staff and the supporters as anticipation builds around Pedro's reintegration.
Originally, Flamengo aimed for Pedro to be ready by May, just prior to the Super Mundial de Clubes 2025; nevertheless, his successful transition to training means he is now expected to return to competitive play by late March or early April, coinciding with the start of the Campeonato Brasileiro.
Currently, Flamengo has achieved significant success during Pedro's absence, winning the Taça Guanabara and making it to the semifinals of the Campeonato Carioca. This Saturday, the team is scheduled to face off against their traditional rivals, Vasco, at the Estádio Nilton Santos. The technical staff, including head coach Filipe Luís, has been experimenting with various attacking formations during Pedro's recovery, but his presence is expected to bolster the team significantly as they compete for titles.
The fans are eagerly awaiting Pedro's return, especially considering his remarkable performance before the injury, where he scored 32 goals across 45 appearances, achieving one of the best scoring rates of his career. His previous performance has set high expectations and hopes among the Flamengo fans for the remainder of the season.
With Pedro’s imminent return, Flamengo is poised to deliver strong performances, and his participation could determine the outcome of pivotal matches as they aim for dominance both domestically and internationally. The excitement around Pedro coming back is palpable as his teammates and fans see him as not just returning from injury, but with the potential to add valuable firepower to the squad, invigorated by his goal-scoring abilities and leadership on the field.