Grassroots Soccer

The jewel of the year: Meet Joshua, the young promise with more than 100 goals in Flamengo's youth team

A 17-year-old attacking midfielder from Ninho, he scores in his first game as a professional and justifies internal expectations at Mais Querido

 Joshua scored his first professional goal for Flamengo in the victory over Botafogo-PB, in the Copa do Brasil. (CRF)
Joshua scored his first professional goal for Flamengo in the victory over Botafogo-PB, in the Copa do Brasil. (CRF)

02 Mai 2025 | 12:10 |

Icon Comentário0

Flamengo won, advanced to the next round of the Copa do Brasil and gained a reinforcement that could have an impact on the rest of the season. The name of the game in Paraíba was Joshua , a product of the youth academy, who made his debut among the professionals and even scored his own goal. His first goal for the main team came at the first opportunity, reflecting the trust that the club has had in the youngster since the youth ranks.




A PROTECTION WITH THE ATHLETE


At 17 years old, Joshua is considered a gem in the making at Ninho do Urubu . And it's not just for today. At Flamengo since he was 9, the player started playing futsal and always drew attention for his refined touch, vision of the game and ability to finish. He quickly moved up through all the categories, always wearing the number 10 jersey — a symbol of responsibility and protagonism.



ASTRONOMICAL FINE VALUES

At the youth level, the numbers speak for themselves: he has scored over 100 goals since he was in the under-10s. In the under-15 Carioca tournament alone, he scored 16 goals and was the competition's second-highest scorer. It is no surprise that when he turned 16, Joshua signed his first professional contract with an initial fee of 50 million euros (R$267 million at the time), in line with the standard adopted for high-potential athletes.


With a solid performance, especially in the under-17s, where he shone under Filipe Luís, Joshua was the standout in the category's 2023 Copa Rio win, beating Vasco. He finished as the top scorer, with 12 goals, and began to be watched even more by members of the professional coaching staff.


Last year, his performance was the same. He played 31 games, with 30 direct participations in goals - a number that reinforces the youngster's consistency throughout the season. Internally, there is a clear conviction that Joshua has all the tools to establish himself in the main squad in the coming years.



Grassroots Soccer

Flamengo signs goalkeeper from Avaí and his characteristics are impressive

Mengão continues its restructuring of its youth teams and has signed a 1.94m tall goalkeeper, even though he is only 15 years old.

Flamengo signs goalkeeper Nícolas, from Avaí, for the under-15 team and his height is impressive - Photo: Reproduction
Flamengo signs goalkeeper Nícolas, from Avaí, for the under-15 team and his height is impressive - Photo: Reproduction

06 Set 2025 | 19:00 |

Icon Comentário0

Flamengo has signed 15-year-old goalkeeper Nicolas, who previously played for Avaí. Born in February 2010, the young goalkeeper stands 6'4" tall and is projected to grow to 6'7" . According to the FlaZoeiro profile, Flamengo acquired 10% of the player's economic rights, with a purchase option of up to 70%. The transaction value was not disclosed.


Nicolas signed a youth development contract with Flamengo until December 2027 and will strengthen the under-15 team. The goalkeeper caught the attention of the Flamengo youth academy due to his technical and physical performance in Avaí's youth academy.


REFORM IN THE RUBRO-NEGRA BASE


Going through a period of restructuring, Flamengo remains active in the youth academy market. Recently, the club won its second U-20 World Cup with a historic victory over Barcelona , and is already making significant changes to its roster.

Among the departures, midfielder Lorran was traded to Pisa (ITA), while Matheus Gonçalves signed with Al-Ahli (SAU). As for arrivals, Mais Querido signed striker Guilherme Barbosa , formerly of Internacional, and midfielder Kaio Júnior, who was at Juventude after a stint at Vasco.


YOUNG MAN WHO 'HUMILIATED' VINI JR ALSO HIRED

In addition to Nícolas, the club also signed midfielder Marcelo Portela, a standout from Botafogo, to bolster the under-15 team. The youngster became famous after a viral move , when he performed a disconcerting dribble on Vini Jr., leaving the Real Madrid star sitting on the floor.


Grassroots Soccer

Flamengo signs young man who 'bent' Vini Jr in 2024

Mengão remains active in bringing reinforcements to the youth teams and has signed a deal with the player who was involved in a move with the Real Madrid star.

Marcelo Portela starred in a move where he 'humiliated' Vini Jr and has now been hired by Flamengo - Photo: Reproduction
Marcelo Portela starred in a move where he 'humiliated' Vini Jr and has now been hired by Flamengo - Photo: Reproduction

06 Set 2025 | 10:00 |

Icon Comentário0

Flamengo continues to restructure its youth academy and has confirmed another new signing. The club has signed Botafogo star midfielder Marcelo Portela to bolster its under-15 squad . The youngster became famous after a viral move, when he pulled off a stunning dribble on Vini Jr., leaving the Real Madrid star sitting on the floor.


The incident took place in July 2024 , during a futsal game at Canto do Rio, in Niterói, where Vini took his first steps in football at the age of seven. On that occasion, Marcelo Portela not only outplayed the 2024 world player of the year, but also scored the goal in the sequence of the play .



Despite the dribble, Vini took it all in stride: he laughed at the play, congratulated the young talent, and even posed for photos with him after the match . Information about the club's new signing was initially reported by the FlaZoeiro and FlaBase pages.

TRAINING CONTRACT WITH FLAMENGO


Because he was born in 2010 and is not yet of legal age to sign a professional contract, Marcelo Portela signed a youth development contract with Flamengo . The agreement also provides for a division of rights with Botafogo, his previous club.

AND VINI JR?

While watching the incident with Marcelo Portela continue to resonate, Vini Jr. is enjoying some downtime. Suspended from the match against Chile and not called up by Carlo Ancelotti , the striker took advantage of his time off to relax in Marbella, Spain, where he was spotted cruising on a yacht.



Grassroots Soccer

Flamengo continues the process of restructuring the U-20 after the World Cup

Even with the title won over Barcelona at Maracanã two weeks ago, Mengão continues to 'clean up' the youth team

Flamengo continues the restructuring process at the youth level after winning the U-20 World Cup - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo
Flamengo continues the restructuring process at the youth level after winning the U-20 World Cup - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo

03 Set 2025 | 15:00 |

Icon Comentário0

Flamengo's under-20 team won its second Club World Cup title in the category on August 23, defeating Barcelona (ESP) on penalties. Shortly after the title, the board began a comprehensive overhaul of the youth squad , which has already resulted in the departure of more than 20 players.


According to information from YouTuber Flazoeiro in partnership with Flabase, 23 players have left the club in recent months . Because part of the negotiations involves buyout clauses, Flamengo could earn more than R$100 million if the teams choose to keep the players.


WHO LEFT FLAMENGO
  • Goalkeepers: Caio Barone and Lucas Furtado
  • Fullbacks: Guilherme Brito, Ainõa and Luiz Phellipe
  • Defenders: Felipe Vieira, Wesley Juan, Julio Neto, Marcos and Lucyan
  • Midfielders: Joan Orellana, Luis Aucélio, Kauan Menegatti, Rayan Lucas, Lorran and Matheus Gonçalves
  • Attackers: Adriano Joya, Fred Mundoco, Felipe Lima, Lucas Oliveira, Lipão, Rafael Couto and Shola
MAIN EXITS


The most prominent names among those who said goodbye were Lorran and Matheus Gonçalves, considered great promises from the red-black youth teams and who ended up playing in the main team led by Filipe Luís.

  • Matheus Gonçalves: sold definitively to Al Ahli (SAU) for 8 million euros (R$ 51 million), corresponding to 100% of the economic rights.
  • Lorran: loaned to Pisa (ITA) for one season, with a mandatory purchase clause of 4 million euros (R$ 25 million) for 50% of the transfer fee.
MOVEMENTS IN THE MAIN CAST


Flamengo also saw significant departures from its professional squad. Zenit (RUS) paid Gerson's release clause, paying €25 million (approximately R$160 million) upfront. Wesley was also traded to Roma (ITA) for €25 million, and Victor Hugo agreed to a loan deal with Santos, valid until July 2026.


envelope SUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER

envelopeSUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER


Flamengo is negotiating a left-back deal with Athletico-PR, in Série B
Grassroots Soccer

Flamengo is negotiating a left-back deal with Athletico-PR, in Série B

02 Set 2025 | 09:07

Icon Comentário0
Flamengo signs young man who 'humiliated' Vini Jr.
Grassroots Soccer

Flamengo signs young man who 'humiliated' Vini Jr.

31 Ago 2025 | 16:38

Icon Comentário0
Flamengo thrashes Fluminense in the under-20s' first post-World Cup match
Grassroots Soccer

Flamengo thrashes Fluminense in the under-20s' first post-World Cup match

30 Ago 2025 | 13:21

Icon Comentário0