Brazilian powerhouses Flamengo will be back in Dubai later this month to defend their Dubai International Football Championship Under-16 crown against the likes of Atletico Madrid of Spain, Germany’s Borussia Dortmund, Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia and other local challengers.

Organised by Dubai Sports Council to promote grassroots football and support the country’s budding young talents, the Dubai International Football Championship Under-16 is one of the top international club tournaments in its category and has been attracting the world’s top football nurseries and talents over the years, including Real Madrid, AC Milan and PSV.

Flamengo won the title on their debut in 2018 and, drawn in Group B alongside Atletico Madrid and Dubai clubs Al Nasr and Hatta, Flamengo, the Brazilians will open their campaign against the Spanish club on April 11 and then meet Al Nasr on April 13 before closing their group engagements Hatta on April 15.

Borussia Dortmund have been drawn in Group A alongside Al Hilal, Al Wasl and Shabab Al Ahli Dubai and the Germans will meet 2016 champions Al Hilal in the opening match of the tournament on April 10. The final is scheduled for April 19.

Flamengo defeated Real Madrid in last year’s final, prevailing 4-2 on penalties after finishing 1-1 at the end of regulation time. They had earlier dismissed Borussia Dortmund 8-2 in the semis after cruising through their group matches with big wins over Al Wasl (5-1), Al Ahly (8-0) and PSV Eindhoven (3-0).

Reinier Jesus Carvalho was the star of Flamengo’s show 12 months ago scoring six goals in group stages and three more in the semis, and the 17-year-old is hot property in the world of football now, with media reports claiming Real Madrid are preparing a record deal for the Brazilian starlet.

Real signed Reinier’s Flamengo teammate Vinicius Junior last year for €45 million, a record sum for a Brazilian under-18 player at the time. The Spanish giants are now ready to obliterate that record with a €70m offer for Reinier, according to British tabloid ‘The Sun’. Real, however, will face stiff competition from a number of other clubs, including English Premier League side Liverpool, according to the newspaper.

Reinier is currently a member of Brazil’s Under 17 squad where he plays as a traditional No10, but he is yet to break into his club’s first team.