Fluminense youngster Riquelme reacts to Luis Zubeldía's departure

19-year-old Fluminense forward Riquelme Felipe caught the attention of fans by leaving a thank-you emoji on the club's official Instagram post announcing the dismissal of head coach Luis Zubeldía. Although the player deleted the comment shortly after, the gesture highlighted the strained dynamic that developed between the academy graduate and the Argentine manager.

Riquelme, considered one of the club's top prospects, saw his playing time diminish significantly following Zubeldía's arrival in 2026. He lost his spot in the professional rotation to more experienced players like Serna and Soteldo, eventually being relegated to the U-20 squad after making only five official appearances this season.

Zubeldía had previously defended himself against accusations that he avoids utilizing young players. In past interviews, he argued that modern football's demand for immediate results makes it difficult to develop talent patiently. He often claimed that external pressures from agents, family, and social media force young players to believe they are stars before they are truly ready, complicating the coaching process.