Cruzeiro Owner Pedro Lourenço Enforces Discipline: Midfielder Walace Cut from Libertadores Opener

Cruzeiro is sending a clear message about locker room standards. Pedro Lourenço, the owner of Cruzeiro SAF, has publicly confirmed the removal of midfielder Walace from the club’s delegation ahead of their Copa Libertadores opener, citing a breach of discipline that the organization will not tolerate.

The decision comes at a volatile moment for the Brazilian side, which is already grappling with external pressure following a bruising 4-1 defeat to São Paulo at Morumbi Stadium. For Lourenço, the priority is now internal stability over individual talent.

The Breaking Point: A Group Chat Conflict

The incident that led to Walace’s exile was not a technical failure or a physical injury, but a clash of personalities. According to reports, Walace used a messaging application to criticize a teammate within a group containing other athletes. The target of the criticism was identified as goalkeeper Matheus Cunha.

Even as some reports suggest the message may have been sent accidentally, the Cruzeiro leadership viewed the act as a “last straw” and a direct violation of the team’s hierarchy and internal respect. The fallout was immediate: Walace, who was with the delegation in São Paulo preparing to travel to Guayaquil, Ecuador, was stripped of his place in the squad.

Speaking from the headquarters of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) following a meeting regarding the potential creation of a single league in Brazilian football, Lourenço did not mince words about the midfielder’s conduct.

“He had a problem with one of his teammates, criticizing him after the match. We do not allow this kind of indiscipline at the club, and we have removed him for now. We’ll see,” Lourenço stated.

A Struggle for Stability

This disciplinary lapse is the latest chapter in a difficult tenure for Walace. The 31-year-old joined Cruzeiro in 2024 after a stint with Udinese, arriving with the expectation that he would provide a veteran presence and a leading role in the midfield.

However, the transition has been far from seamless. Walace struggled to secure a consistent spot in the starting lineup and failed to establish himself as a mainstay in the squad. This lack of on-field momentum, coupled with the recent internal rift, has left his position at the club precarious.

When questioned specifically about whether the midfielder would be sold or released, Lourenço remained non-committal but open to a parting of ways, simply responding, “Vamos ver” (We’ll see). This suggests that the club is actively evaluating whether Walace fits into the long-term vision of the SAF.

High Stakes in Guayaquil

The timing of the removal is particularly significant. Cruzeiro is currently in Guayaquil to face Barcelona-EQU in their first match of the Libertadores on Tuesday, April 7. Removing a senior player on the eve of such a prestigious continental commitment underscores the board’s commitment to a “zero-tolerance” policy regarding squad environment.

For the players remaining in the delegation, the message is unambiguous: no player, regardless of their status or experience, is bigger than the collective discipline of the group. The leadership views this move as a necessary step to prevent further fragmentation within the dressing room.

What This Means for Cruzeiro

Beyond the immediate loss of a midfield option, this episode highlights the cultural shift Pedro Lourenço is implementing at Cruzeiro. By prioritizing discipline over squad depth during a critical tournament opener, the SAF is attempting to build a foundation of accountability.

The tactical burden now shifts to the remaining midfield core to fill the void left by Walace as they attempt to start their Libertadores campaign on a positive note and move past the disappointment of their recent loss to São Paulo.

The next immediate checkpoint for the club is the result of the match against Barcelona-EQU in Ecuador, which will serve as a litmus test for the squad’s unity and resilience in the absence of the sidelined midfielder.

Do you think the club handled this situation correctly, or is cutting a player right before a major tournament too risky? Let us recognize in the comments.