“It doesn’t make sense for Brazil to try to compete with European clubs in terms of finances,” Fluminense coach Renato Gaúcho said through a translator. “Brazilian clubs trade players and sell them to Europe so they can survive, and that’s been true even since I was a player.”

João Pedro showed why he might be just the player Chelsea needed, sending the Blues to the Club World Cup final by scoring both goals in a 2-0 win over Fluminense.