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Flamengo faced stiff competition from an Italian rival, as the player was initially courted by clubs in Europe, including a strong push from Lazio. The negotiation process saw Flamengo wrestling against the clock to secure Alcaraz’s commitment, even scheduling his arrival in Rio de Janeiro ahead of time. This strategic move by Flamengo is a departure from typical patterns where young South American talents transition to Europe but rarely return so soon for a club as ambitious as Flamengo.