Soccer
10 and a sash! Arrascaeta takes center stage for Flamengo and becomes the hopeful against Estudiantes
18 Set 2025 | 12:23
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Soccer
22 Nov 2023 | 18:29 |
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In the heat of the summer of 1981, while the world was immersed in passion for football, a figure lit up the fields and enchanted the stands. Zico, Flamengo's maestro in that unforgettable season, transcended expectations and left an indelible mark on the sporting scene.
Throughout 67 games, Zico was synonymous with magic. With his skillful feet, he graced every touch of the ball, turning matches into spectacles. The numbers tell a story of excellence: 49 goals, 25 assists and an impressive total of 74 goals/assists. The star didn't just play; he conducted a football symphony.
Winning the Guanabara Cup was the prelude to a triumphant journey. Zico led Flamengo to Campeonato Carioca glory, lifting the trophy with a mix of grace and determination. The Libertadores and the Club World Cup followed like a coronation, with the number 10 playing a crucial role in Flamengo's international recognition.
Individual recognition was not long in coming. Zico was crowned the Libertadores MVP, a fitting tribute to his mastery in crucial moments. His inclusion in the Libertadores XI and Guerin Sportivo's World XI highlighted not only his local impact, but also his global influence.
But what hangs over this spectacular year is speculation about the Ballon d' Or. If he had been eligible, would Zico have won the prestigious individual award? The question resonates like an echo in the minds of fans and analysts. Football, after all, is a team sport, but there are moments when a player transcends the collective sphere and becomes the beacon that guides his team to victory. Zico, in 1981, personified this transcendence. His ability to masterfully decide matches, whether through decisive assists or incredible goals, placed him on a unique level.
However, the Ballon d'Or, at that time, was reserved for team players. Europeans, in a scenario where the borders of world football were more rigid. Zico, shining on South American soil, may have remained under the awards radar, but his greatness cannot be underestimated.
The debate over whether Zico deserved the Ballon d'Or in 1981 is more than just a simple retrospective reflection. It is a tribute to the magnitude of talent he displayed that year, transcendently leading Flamengo to a sporting dominance that would echo through the decades.
Zico's greatness is not just in the trophies won, but in the way he personified the essence of football as an art form. He was more than a player; he was an artist, a maestro whose baton was the ball at his feet. The year 1981 will always be remembered as the peak of Zico's career and as a golden chapter in the history of Brazilian football. And although the Ballon d'Or may have escaped him as a matter of geographical formality, the real award for Zico was the eternal legacy he left behind, a legacy sculpted with mastery on the fields of play and in the memory of football lovers.< /p>
Mengão announces the starting lineup for the first leg of the quarterfinals against Argentina at Maracanã; see who Filipe Luís will send onto the field
18 Set 2025 | 20:30 |
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Flamengo officially announced the lineup to face Estudiantes this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time) , at Maracanã, for the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals. With important returns, coach Filipe Luís is betting on maximum strength to start with an advantage in the continental clash.
Defender Léo Ortiz, who missed last weekend due to suspension , returns to the starting lineup. Bruno Henrique, who also missed the match against Juventude, is confirmed in the squad. The team maintains the core of the squad that has been playing with Filipe Luís.
Filipe Luís will send onto the field against Estudiantes: Rossi; Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; Saúl, De La Cruz and Arrascaeta; Plata, Pedro and Samuel Lino.
The Red-Black Nation promises another great party . All tickets were sold in advance, guaranteeing the presence of over 69,000 fans . This should be Flamengo 's largest crowd in this edition of the Libertadores. The expectation is to repeat the solid performance of the round of 16, when the team eliminated Internacional with two wins and qualified 3-0 on aggregate.
Defender hangs up his boots at 38 and says he is satisfied with his career, despite not having been able to play for Mengão
18 Set 2025 | 19:00 |
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Defender Gil, 38, has officially announced his retirement from professional football. In an interview with TV Record, the former defender confirmed the end of his playing career: " A new phase, I'm retiring from football. It's decided ."
Gil, ex-Corinthians, when declaring retirement: "the only thing missing was playing for Flamengo"
Gil built a remarkable relationship with Corinthians , a club he played for twice. Between 2013 and 2016, he was a key player in Tite's squad, crowning the period with the 2015 Brazilian Championship title . He returned to Corinthians in 2019 and, during his second stint, reached the impressive milestone of 400 appearances for the club.
Despite his solid history at Corinthians, Gil revealed a dream he never fulfilled: playing for Flamengo . " I did everything I wanted, the only thing missing was playing for Flamengo . Not everything is perfect. I'm grateful for the career I've built," he declared.
The final chapter of his career was at Santos, where he played in the 2024 Série B. The defender played an important role in the club's promotion to Série A , but lost his place in the squad and terminated his contract in August of the same year. Shortly thereafter, he decided to hang up his boots.
Having also played in Chinese football and enjoyed a solid career in Brazil, Gil ended his career as one of the greatest defenders of the last decade , recognized for his consistency, physical strength, and leadership on the field. In total, the former player appeared in 865 matches, scoring 43 goals and contributing 15 assists.
The red-black team faces the Argentines this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm, at Maracanã, for the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals
18 Set 2025 | 18:30 |
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Flamengo takes to the field this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), to face Estudiantes, at Maracanã, for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. Coach Filipe Luís is betting on full strength to try to open up an advantage before the decision in Argentina.
Coach Filipe Luís is expected to field a full-strength squad against the Argentines: Rossi; Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, and Ayrton Lucas; Saúl, De La Cruz, and Arrascaeta; Plata, Pedro, and Samuel Lino. The game will be broadcast live on Flamengo TV and with exclusive footage on ESPN.
Alex Sandro (calf) and Jorginho (thigh) are still recovering and are working individually on the field. Pulgar is also in the transition phase with physical therapy and is expected to return to training with the group only at the end of September.
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