The price the two clubs pay for such success is an accumulation of matches and a burden on the players that borders on inhumane.

Representing a number of different national teams, the majority of Flamengo and Palmeiras players were in action during the recent FIFA international window. On the Tuesday, then, many were playing in Europe, Mexico or the United States. The next day, they were back on the field in crunch domestic games. With Flamengo and Palmeiras going toe-to-toe for the domestic title, there was no chance for anyone to take their foot off the pedal.

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This clearly took some of the shine away from Saturday's Copa Libertadores decider in Lima, when an eagerly awaited "final of the century" turned into an attritional battle. The Libertadores final was a very different match from the bright, open and attractive encounter they fought out in the league in the middle of last month.

The news coming out of the Palmeiras camp going into the game was that the squad was close to physical and mental breakdown. This clearly had an effect on the thinking of Portuguese coach Abel Ferreira. Often tempted to take a cautious approach to big matches, this time he appeared to have settled for a "while it's 0-0 we're doing fine" strategy. He trusted in the capacity of his team to hold the Flamengo attack, and believed that as the game wore on, space would open up, and his team could snatch a goal.

Allan lost Danilo, and Bruno Fuchs did not do enough to fill the space -- it might have worked. Palmeiras might also point to the incident towards the end of the first half when Flamengo midfielder Erick Pulgar seemed very lucky to avoid a red card for a rash kick on Fuchs. Then again, all soccer games could have taken an alternative course. In the one that mattered, the one that was played in Lima, there can be little doubt that Flamengo were the better side and deserved their win.

Flamengo coach Filipe Luis probably sees something of himself in Danilo. Two years ago, he stopped playing for Flamengo at left back and started coaching the youth team, stepping up to the seniors after elimination from the 2024 Libertadores. He has made an excellent start to a highly promising career. The manner of this Libertadores conquest was a little strange; his Flamengo are typically a free flowing, free scoring side. In the Brazilian league they have outscored Palmeiras 74 to 60.

It never stops. And it is hard not to think that the quality of the spectacle might be better with the occasional pause for a well-deserved rest.