Former Newcastle United winger Kenedy came on in the final of South America’s most important club competition last night - a reminder of what might have been.
The winger has been repeatedly sent out on loan by his parent side Chelsea, and this season he was sent to his home nation of Brazil to play for Flamengo.
The side are currently second in Brazil’s top division and last night played in the final of the Copa Libertadores, South America’s equivalent of the Champions League.
The final was played in Montevideo, Uruguay, and Flamengo, who have won the competition twice before, were up against Palmeiras, who have also won the cup twice,
Palmeiras were the defending champions, while Flamengo last won it in 2019, and it was Palmeiras who claimed victory after scoring in extra time to make it 2-1.
Kenedy, who is now 25 years old, came on in the 90th minute and played during injury time and extra time, but he failed to make the difference.
Also on the pitch were Andreas Pereira, on loan from Manchester United, former Arsenal and Chelsea defender David Luiz, and former Chelsea defender Filipe Luis.
Kenedy has had an unsatisfying career so far, joining Chelsea in 2015, but only playing for the club a handful of times before he became a serial loan player. He was sent out to Watford first, but that didn’t work out.
Next he arrived at Newcastle in January 2018, during the Rafa Benitez era, and he did well, setting up a goal on his debut and grabbing a brace against Southampton.
He returned to St James’ Park the following season but was less effective, though chalked up a couple of dozen appearances before his time in the North East ended.
Since then he was sent out on loan to Getafe in La Liga. Then he went out to another La Liga side, Granada, before arriving at Flamengo this season.
