The Return of Lucas Calegari to Fluminense

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JULY 4: Calegari of LA Galaxy during the MLS game between LA Galaxy and LAFC at Rose Bowl Stadium on July 4, 2023 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JULY 4: Calegari of LA Galaxy during the MLS game between LA Galaxy and LAFC at Rose Bowl Stadium on July 4, 2023 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images) /
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In the Brazilian soccer scene, the news of Lucas Calegari’s official return to Fluminense is marked by a journey full of challenges and reflections on the professional development of a young talent. The right-back, loaned to the Los Angeles Galaxy, faced significant obstacles in the United States, leading to an outcome that reignites the flame of anticipation among Tricolor fans.

Calegari, who arrived at LA Galaxy with a promising reputation based on his demonstrated skills at Fluminense, encountered difficulties adapting to American soccer. His performance, characterized by statistics below expectations, raised questions about the player’s compatibility with the playing style and tactical demands of the new environment.

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The decision of LA Galaxy not to exercise the purchase option, coupled with a knee injury that will sideline him until the end of his contract, reinforces the narrative of a tumultuous stint in the United States. The early return to Brazil not only indicates a lack of harmony between Calegari and the American soccer context but also highlights the importance of critically analyzing clubs’ decisions regarding loaned players.

STANFORD, CA – JULY 1: Calegari #2 of the Los Angeles Galaxy strikes the ball during a game between Los Angeles Galaxy and San Jose Earthquakes at Stanford Stadium on July 1, 2023 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Bob Drebin/ISI Photos/Getty Images).
STANFORD, CA – JULY 1: Calegari #2 of the Los Angeles Galaxy strikes the ball during a game between Los Angeles Galaxy and San Jose Earthquakes at Stanford Stadium on July 1, 2023 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Bob Drebin/ISI Photos/Getty Images). /

Some Brazilian journalists have expressed a positive view of Calegari’s time at LA Galaxy, seeing it as an excellent performance. However, it is valid to consider that the player performance evaluation process is multifaceted. LA Galaxy’s decision not to exercise the purchase option and Calegari’s injury, which will keep him out until the end of his contract, can be interpreted as factors influencing the player’s trajectory at the American club. The complexity of clubs’ decisions in soccer, often guided by various factors, contributes to a broader and more balanced analysis of the situation. Performance interpretation can vary, and it is important to recognize the diversity of opinions on the matter.

By formalizing his return, Calegari comes back to the home that showcased him as a player, to the environment where his skills stood out, and his promising career began. The uncertainty that loomed over his future in recent months seems to find an answer in the comfort of Laranjeiras.

However, this return should not be seen merely as a comeback but as a valuable chapter in the player’s journey. The experience at LA Galaxy, despite the challenges, may prove to be a catalyst for Calegari’s growth and professional maturity. The difficulties faced in the United States should not overshadow the skills that made him stand out on the national stage.

Fluminense, now, opens its arms to welcome back a player who, despite setbacks, carries with him the determination and potential that turned him into a promise of Brazilian soccer. It remains for the fans and Calegari himself to await with anticipation the next phase of his career, confident that the stint in the United States will be a positive turning point in his soccer journey.