The political and administrative crisis at Internacional gained a new and explosive chapter. Back to Rio de Janeiro to spend the final stretch of the year with his family, Abel Braga was surprised by the true implosion of the Colorado football department and he did not hide his anger at the way everything happened — especially with the departure of Andrés D’Alessandro.
Last Tuesday, President Alessandro Barcellos promoted drastic changes in SCI football. The executive André Mazzuco was fired, while vice-president of football José Olavo Bisol and sporting director D’Alessandro resigned. For Abelão, however, the Argentine’s departure was the most painful and symbolic.
D’Alessandro, it’s worth remembering, was precisely the one who called Abel Braga and convinced him to take over Internacional in the final two rounds of the Brasileirão, a mission that culminated in the club’s stay in Series A.
Abel has always expressed his desire to continue working alongside the Argentine idolincluding in an off-field role, and He even internally defended D’Ale’s continuity in the project for 2026.
D’Alessandro betrayed and the situation revolted Abelão in Beira-Rio
According to information from the sector Leonardo Mollyes Band RS, D’Alessandro felt deeply betrayed when he was not even informed about André Mazzuco’s dismissal. The decision would have been taken after a meeting of the former football department, amid strong political pressure behind the scenes at Beira-Rio.
Even supported by Abel Braga, the Argentine assessed that the internal environment had become unsustainable and concluded that there was no longer confidence in the sporting project for the next season. As a result, he requested immediate dismissal.
D’Alessandro’s departure from Internacional still causes ‘after-effects’ and Abel Braga was outraged – Photo: Luiz Erbes/AGIF
Abelão’s reaction was harsh. The former coach he was outraged both by Mazzuco’s departure and, mainly, by D’Alessandro’s. There was, according to people close to him, a promise to maintain the base of the football department, especially due to the relationship built since Abel’s return to Beira-Rio as a leading figure in the final stretch of the Brasileirão.
Abel will return to work at SCI in 2026 under one condition
Dissatisfied with the conduct of the process and the breach of agreements, Abel Braga left Porto Alegre and returned to Rio de Janeiro. To those closest to him, the idol did not hide his indignation and was adamant: He will only agree to work at Internacional in 2026 if the SCI hires professionals he absolutely trusts for football.
The episode increases the instability at Inter and calls into question planning for the next season. With the departure of historical figures and the declared dissatisfaction of one of the club’s greatest idols, the political and sporting scenario in Beira-Rio continues to be marked by tension, uncertainty and decisions that promise new developments.
