Nicolas Jackson has taken “full responsibility” for his dismissal in Chelsea’s Club World Cup defeat to Flamengo.
Jackson, on the occasion of his 24th birthday, came on as a 64th-minute substitute on Friday, with the Blues trailing 2-1 at the time, following quickfire goals from Bruno Henrique and Danilo.
Yet Jackson’s cameo lasted just four minutes, as he received a straight red card for a rash tackle on Ayrton Lucas.
Wallace Yan subsequently wrapped up a memorable 3-1 win for Flamengo, and Jackson offered no excuses for his actions.
In a post on his official Instagram account, the Chelsea forward wrote: “I want to say sorry. To the club, the staff, my team-mates, and all the fans watching, I let you down.
“Another red card and, honestly, I’m so angry at myself. I work very hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation.
“I still don’t fully understand how it happened. But one thing is clear: it wasn’t intentional. Just a football moment that went the wrong way.
“No excuses. I take full responsibility. I’ll reflect, I’ll grow, and I’ll come back stronger for the badge and for everyone who believes in me. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.”
2 – @Flamengo_en‘s 3-1 win over Chelsea is the second time a South American team has defeated a European team by multiple goals at the @FIFACWC (all formats) after Vasco da Gama’s 3-1 win over Manchester United in 2000. Turnaround. pic.twitter.com/LKmoQHaKMw
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 20, 2025
Jackson has now received two straight red cards during his time at Chelsea, with the striker having also been sent off in a Premier League defeat to Newcastle United in May.
Enzo Maresca, though, said Jackson’s dismissal would not impact his future at the club, with Chelsea having already spent big to bring in Liam Delap from Ipswich Town.
“The red card had nothing to do with Nico’s future,” said the Blues boss. “He had the first one against Newcastle when Liam was not even here, and another one today.
“Nico knows very well that in both situations it was not something good for the team.”
Jackson will now miss Chelsea’s final Group D game, against ES Tunis.
The Blues sit second in the group, so a point against Tunis would be enough to see them through to the last 16.