Top scorer for Fluminense in the Copinhas he played in, Kelwin starts 2026 with the same goal. The center forward opens his final year of juniors after leading the category’s artillery in 2025, with ten goals. Four came in the country’s most famous youth tournament. In the edition in which it debuted, in 2024, there were two.
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“My main objective is to leave there as a champion. I know it’s an important title, which would mean a lot both for the club and for us, who are playing there. There are several big teams, everyone wants the same thing, and it won’t be easy. But I want to surpass my record. In the last Cup, I scored four goals. I’ll do my best to score more and, who knows, double that again”, said Kelwin.
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The 19-year-old player tops the list of Moleques de Xerém who can compete in the competition for the third time. There are seven, including right-back Júlio Fidelis and midfielder Fabinho, the same age, as well as goalkeeper Antônio Carlos, who had his first experience at 15, when he played for Andirá-AC.
“We learned so much in 2024 that we did well in the 2025 Cup. The group was very united. It was in the details that we lost on penalties to champion São Paulo in the round of 16. I have complete confidence in the team, the technical committee and everyone who helps us. I know that we are working on the smallest details to adjust what was missing, reach the final and bring the cup to Rio de Janeiro”, said the goalscorer.
Midfielder Riquelme Felipe and striker Matheus Reis, from Esquadrilha 07, as well as defender Loiola, the only Under-21 player to be on the pre-list of entries, complete the group called up most often for the dispute. In Kelwin’s opinion, the experience he acquired in two participations can help him take Tricolor to greater heights. The club is the second biggest champion, with five titles.
“There were two editions of a lot of learning. The first time I went, I had just moved up from the Under-17s. Over the years, I learned a lot from the older generations. Now that I have the opportunity to be the oldest, I hope to perhaps even serve as a mirror to bring experience to those who are coming up. I know what happens on a daily basis, the mental fatigue, so I try to encourage them as much as possible, give them total confidence and help the team on and off the field with advice”, said the Bahian from Teixeira de Freitas (BA).
Kelwin renewed his contract with Flu, in July, until the end of 2027. He joined the Warrior Team in 2019, at the age of 13, and debuted among the professionals this season, also marked by winning the OPG U20 Tournament.
“I was very happy with the contract renewal and fulfilled my dream of debuting as a professional for Fluminense. In 2026, my goal is to win the Copinha as top scorer and receive other opportunities in the professional squad”, he revealed.
The debut of the team led by coach Felipe Canavan will take place on the 5th (Monday). The first challenge is against Água Santa-SP, at 9:30 pm, at the Estádio Municipal Prefeito Gabriel Marques da Silva, in Santana de Parnaíba (SP), broadcast by CazéTV. Brasiliense-DF and Sfera-SP close Group 25.
“I’m sure they will always be challenging, because there is no easy game, especially in the Copinha. Everyone wants and works to win. I hope to get out of there classified and reach the first knockout phase well”, concluded Kelwin.
Other players back in Copinha
Fluminense will have ten Moleques de Xerém in their second participation in the most famous youth tournament in the country. They are defender Janderson, 19 years old; goalkeeper Murilo, left-back Vagno, defenders Bringel and Gorgulho and attackers Arthur Henrique, Isack Gabriel and Keven Samuel, 18; and striker Wesley Natã, 17.
Text: Communication/FFC
Photos: Leonardo Brasil/FFC
