Zé Elias Apologizes to Danilo and Flamengo After Off-Air Remark Triggers Outcry

Overview

• A video captured Zé Elias saying Danilo came to Brazil at the end of his career “to steal,” a remark made off-air during ESPN’s Equipe F preparations.
• The clip spread widely on social media and drew demands for a retraction from Flamengo supporters, while ESPN had not issued a public response in the reports cited.
• Zé Elias apologized on Friday, stating he did not intend to offend Danilo or Flamengo and characterizing the phrase as informal football slang used in private conversation.
• Recent data cited from SofaScore indicates Danilo delivered a strong defensive display in Flamengo’s 1–0 first-leg win over Racing, including winning all aerial duels and multiple clearances and recoveries.
• Danilo joined Flamengo in January after leaving Juventus, has about 25 appearances with two domestic titles, and recently started following Léo Ortiz’s ankle ligament injury, with the team set to face Fortaleza and then Racing away.