Soccer

THE RISE OF LÉO ORTIZ: A VIEW FROM INSIDE THE FIELD OF THE NEW FLAMENGO REINFORCEMENT

Former Bragantino technical assistant, Maldonado shares insights about Mengão's new player

Photo: Internet
Photo: Internet

06 Mar 2024 | 13:21 |

Icon Comentário0

Léo Ortiz, former Bragantino defender, has been the target of praise from Maldonado, his former technical assistant. After working together for more than two years, Maldonado highlighted not only Ortiz's technical abilities, but also his crucial role as a leader on and off the field.


With a comprehensive overview of Ortiz's performance, Maldonado emphasized his tactical importance, describing him as a player of exceptional technical quality and keen vision of the game. According to the former assistant coach, Ortiz's ability to build plays and lead the team has been remarkable, highlighting him as an athlete with great leadership, always ready to take the lead when necessary.


LEFT A YOUR BRAND IN BRAGANÇA


During his time at RB Bragantino, Ortiz formed a consistent defense duo alongside Fabrício Bruno, with whom he played 58 games. Despite conceding 55 goals in that period, the mutual trust between the two defenders was evident, as stated by Maldonado. He highlighted Ortiz's alignment and preparation, predicting a standout performance at Flamengo, where the player is about to land.

However, the race against time is on for the red-black board. . The registration of Ortizfor the Campeonato Carioca aims to have him available for the next clash against Fluminense, scheduled for Saturday. With the deadline closing this Thursday (07), the pressure is on the shoulders of the Rio club's directors to guarantee the eligibility of the new reinforcement.


Maldonado's testimony offers a valuable perspective on the rise of Léo Ortiz, highlighting not only his technical skills, but also his influence as a leader on the field. While Flamengo eagerly awaits his possible debut, the legacy left by Ortiz at Bragantino will certainly continue to resonate, setting the stage for the next chapter in his Brazilian football career.


Soccer

When does Flamengo play? Check out the schedule

After losing 1-0 to Bahia, Mengão is looking to get back to winning ways in the next five rounds of the Brasileirão

Flamengo seeks recovery after defeat to Bahia and projects five decisive games in Brasileirão and Libertadores - photo: reproduction
Flamengo seeks recovery after defeat to Bahia and projects five decisive games in Brasileirão and Libertadores - photo: reproduction

07 Out 2025 | 15:49 |

Icon Comentário0

Flamengo suffered a 1-0 loss to Bahia, a result that complicated its position in the Brasileirão standings. In its last five matches, the "Mais Querido" has won only one , drawn three, and now has lost one, highlighting the team's need for an immediate response.


Coach Filipe Luís will have ten days to adjust the team before the next match, scheduled for October 15th against Botafogo. The FIFA break will be crucial, as most of Mengão's key players are not involved in international call-ups and can participate fully in training.


Flamengo reached agreements with the federations to protect its players. The club's medical department sent reports detailing the physical strain caused by the backlog of matches , particularly regarding players who could have been called up by Uruguay.


FLAMENGO'S NEXT GAMES
  • 15/10 – Botafogo x Flamengo (Brazilian Championship)
  • 19/10 – Flamengo x Palmeiras (Brazilian Championship)
  • 22/10 – Flamengo x Racing (Libertadores)
  • 25/10 – Fortaleza x Flamengo (Brazilian Championship)
  • 29/10 – Racing x Flamengo (Libertadores)
NEXT CHALLENGE

Therefore, the red-black team returns to the field on October 15th, for the 28th round of the Brasileirão , against Botafogo, at 7:30 pm, at Nilton Santos Stadium. After the loss to Bahia, Flamengo occupies second place in the table with 55 points , tied with Palmeiras, who has the advantage in the number of victories.



Soccer

Michael may leave Flamengo and agree to transfer to a Qatari club

The striker is experiencing a period of little participation at Mengão and is awaiting an offer from Al-Duhail to regain prominence in his international career.

Michael in action for Flamengo during the 2025 Copa Libertadores match; the striker awaits a proposal from Al-Duhail - photo: reproduction
Michael in action for Flamengo during the 2025 Copa Libertadores match; the striker awaits a proposal from Al-Duhail - photo: reproduction

07 Out 2025 | 15:08 |

Icon Comentário0

Striker Michael is facing a difficult period at Flamengo and may be close to a change of scenery. Not in coach Filipe Luís's plans, the player is awaiting an offer from Al-Duhail of Qatar, which is expected to resume negotiations in January. His staff believes that playing outside of Brazil is the best path for his career.


Michael hasn't played since June 24, when he came on for 31 minutes against Los Angeles FC in the Club World Cup. Despite recovering from ankle pain and training normally , he hasn't even been named on the bench.


In the last transfer window, Mengão included the striker on the list of available players. The only concrete offer came from Al-Ula, offering a one-year loan for $2.5 million with an option to buy at the end, but it was rejected by the Flamengo player himself.


OPPORTUNITY IN AL-DUHAIL

Al-Duhail is interested in signing Michael for the 2026 season, betting he can regain the prominence he had at Al-Hilal before returning to Brazil. The team expects an official offer to be made early next year.


FILIPE LUÍS PRIORITIZES OTHER NAMES

At Mengão, Michael is finding it difficult to play, as Bruno Henrique, Pedro, Plata, and Wallace Yan have been prioritized up front. The coach stated that the selections are purely technical and that the striker maintains good performance in training, but opportunities remain limited.


Soccer

José Boto reveals the struggle to sign Saúl Ñíguez at Flamengo

Mengão's football director details negotiations with Spanish midfielder and time zone challenges to close deal with European club

Flamengo director José Boto reveals behind the scenes of Saúl Ñíguez's signing by the club - photo: reproduction
Flamengo director José Boto reveals behind the scenes of Saúl Ñíguez's signing by the club - photo: reproduction

07 Out 2025 | 14:44 |

Icon Comentário0

Flamengo's football director, José Boto , revealed previously unpublished details about the signing of midfielder Saúl Ñíguez. In an interview with Portuguese newspaper Record , the director said he had to stay up all night to get the player off a private flight from a Turkish club and secure his arrival in Rio de Janeiro.


According to Boto , the negotiations faced an additional complication: the time difference between Brazil and Spain. " When you do business with Europe, you have the time zone issue. In this case, it was a five-hour time difference to Spain, and that forced me, right after a game, to stay up all night to close the deal at almost five in the morning in Brazil," he said.


SAÚL ÑÍGUEZ HAS ALREADY BECOME HOLDER


Even without scoring his first goal for the Red-Blacks, the Spanish midfielder has already established himself as a solid presence in the team. He has played 13 games, the first three as a substitute and the following ten as a starter , earning two cautions and one assist. His performance has helped solidify the central midfield.

LOSS IN THE LAST GAME


Midfielder Saúl Ñíguez was left out of the match against Bahia last Sunday (5), due to pain in his left ankle. Despite the absence, the coaching staff is not afraid that the player will be left out of the team's next match.

FLAMENGO X BOTAFOGO

With Saúl available, Flamengo returns to action on October 15th, facing Botafogo at 7:30 pm at Nilton Santos Stadium in the 28th round of the competition. The match will be broadcast exclusively on Premiere (a cable channel).


envelope SUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER

envelopeSUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER


Flamengo will have a decisive reinforcement for the game against Botafogo
Soccer

Flamengo will have a decisive reinforcement for the game against Botafogo

07 Out 2025 | 12:48

Icon Comentário0
In addition to Wallace Yan, Danilo will also be punished by Flamengo - understand
Soccer

In addition to Wallace Yan, Danilo will also be punished by Flamengo - understand

07 Out 2025 | 12:39

Icon Comentário0
Player suspended by Filipe Luís must sue Flamengo for moral harassment
Soccer

Player suspended by Filipe Luís must sue Flamengo for moral harassment

07 Out 2025 | 11:47

Icon Comentário0