Barcelona Atlètic take on Flamengo in the Under-20 Intercontinental Cup final at the Maracanã today (23 August 2025), aiming to bring the trophy back to Europe. Juliano Belletti leads a combined Barça Atlètic/U-19 squad after last season’s UEFA Youth League triumph.
According to Mundo Deportivo, this is the fourth edition of the U-20 Intercontinental Cup, to be broadcast in 54 countries. Europe took the inaugural title through Benfica (1–0 vs Peñarol), while the last two editions went to South America—Boca Juniors (1–1, 4–1 pens vs AZ) and Flamengo (2–1 vs Olympiacos). If the final ends level after 90 minutes, it goes straight to penalties.
Belletti’s message
“Even if it’s at the Maracanã, in front of an impressive crowd, we’ll try to do what we always do with our game… We have to represent what La Masia means, and compete, compete to win,” Belletti said ahead of the final, noting it marks Barça’s first official match in Brazil.
Opponent: Flamengo
Flamengo arrive as defending champions with nine players from last year’s winning squad and with former Atlético defender Filipe Luís overseeing the group (now on first-team duties at the club). Standouts include Matheus Gonçalves and Lorran—both with senior minutes—and Shola Ogundana, named Player of the Tournament at the last 2025 U-20 Libertadores.
Belletti’s squad list blends reserve and U19 profiles, several of whom were key in the Youth League run. Mundo Deportivo reports that Guille Fernández, Toni Fernández, Dro, Jofre Torrents and Diego Kochen were not called as they are working under Hansi Flick. Only players born after 2005 are eligible for this competition. There are absences due to recovery or injury—among them Taghizada, Mbacke, Víctor Barberà, Ureña and Roger Martínez—while Dani Rodríguez, Ibrahim Diarra and Adrian Gill awaited medical clearance. Anaya and Aziz Issah were not included by technical decision, as they did not feature in the last Youth League.
