
Soccer
05 Abr 2024 | 12:35 |
One of the highlights of the Nova Iguaçu in Carioca, Yago has the DNA of an old acquaintance of Flamengo, opponent of the final. Loaned by Fluminense to the Série D team, the midfielder is the son of Iranildo, who was also a midfielder, state and Mercosul champion for the red-black club. Having also spent time at clubs such as Botafogo, Bahia and Santa Cruz, “Chuchu” – a nickname given by Romário precisely during the Rubro-Negro era – is his son's great advisor.
“My father is a guy I can count on for tips on how to hit the ball, positioning, the best time to pass. His phrase before games is always: 'have a good game and have fun on the field'", said Yago in a recent interview.
The player has one of the mirrors for the career that is being built in Iranildo. Born in 2001, he also has a common name for the generation as his idol. “My inspiration comes from my father. Everything he has achieved and his style of play motivates me a lot. And Messi, who has been my idol since I was young. I watched his videos every day, the moves, the dribbling... That woke me up to football”, he remembers.
The midfielder is at the third club of his career. Before, he was at Náutico and Fluminense, the club that revealed him. He was picked up by Tricolor scouts when he was playing in a match for Barcelona's academy, at the Zico Football Center (CFZ). The young midfielder is at Nova Iguaçu on loan from Fluminense – contract until the end of Série D, in September –, but the future is still unknown. Iranildo, who helps manage his son's career, recently commented on a possible return to Laranjeiras and cited “equal opportunities”.
The Baixada Fluminense club is analyzing a possible dismantling after the good performance at Carioca. Goalkeeper Fabrício is close to Internacional and striker Carlinhos closed with Flamengo. “Sometimes, I see some news or another, but all this off-field issues are my responsibility. I think more about the next game, I've always been like that. Now, after the return game, we will sit down and see the best way forward, to be able to have a good sequence of games and continue playing at the level I am at”, he stated. P>
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Mengão will hold a Deliberative Council meeting to explain the reality of the construction of its own arena on the Gasômetro site.
15 Set 2025 | 09:25 |
Next Wednesday (17), Flamengo's deliberative council will have a decisive meeting . The meeting will feature the presentation of an economic feasibility study on the construction of the club's new stadium , planned for the port area of Rio de Janeiro. The survey was commissioned by Bap's administration and prepared by the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV).
In addition to the report, the board members will also discuss topics such as the organization's revenue generation capacity , financing costs, and potential strategic partnerships. The agenda also includes the possibility of seeking naming rights for the future arena.
Flamengo 's stadium will be built in the Gasômetro district of São Cristóvão, covering an area of 86,000 square meters . The expected capacity is 77,923, close to that of Maracanã, which currently holds just over 78,000 fans.
During Rodolfo Landim's administration, the initial estimate for the stadium's construction was R$1.9 billion. However, after the first data from the new study, Bap has already announced that the estimate is much higher . The project could cost as much as R$3 billion.
While the project advances behind the scenes, Flamengo continues to play its games at Maracanã. However, this Sunday (14), the team plays outside of Rio: it faces Juventude , at 4 pm (Brasília time), at Alfredo Jaconi Stadium, in Caxias do Sul, for the 23rd round of the Brasileirão.
The midfielder has been one of the team's highlights after being placed as a second midfielder and the coach said that this could be the best phase of his career.
15 Set 2025 | 09:08 |
After Flamengo's victory over Juventude, coach Filipe Luís stated that Saúl is experiencing "perhaps the best moment of his career." However, the Spanish midfielder was frank in disagreeing with the coach's assessment and took the opportunity to reflect on his experience in Brazil.
Saúl responds to Filipe Luís about his time at Flamengo being the best moment of his career: "I don't think so"
"I don't think so (about being at the best moment of my career). I've had some really good moments, but today I feel really good mentally . I'm lucky to have my family with me on this adventure, even though I know it's not easy for them. I train, play, and enjoy what I do, but for those who follow us, it's more complicated," the midfielder began.
"I'm very proud of my family; it allows me to enjoy the present. I've had some great times, and I know the best is yet to come . I'm playing well now, but the bad times will come too, and I'll know how to handle them," Saúl said at a press conference.
The Spaniard had an intense few days. On Saturday (13), his son, Marco Ñíguez Salamanca, was born, and on Sunday (14), Saúl traveled to Caxias do Sul to play against Juventude. Despite the atypical preparation, the midfielder was decisive and provided the assist for Arrascaeta to open the scoring in the red-black victory.
" We're seeing the best Saúl. Perhaps the best Saúl of his career . This is a credit to him and also to the club, which believed in and managed to unlock this player's potential. Everyone knows the career he built, especially at Atlético de Madrid," said Filipe Luís.
Flamengo returned to Rio de Janeiro on Sunday (14), around 10:30 pm (Brasília time). However, the rest time will be short: on Thursday (18), the team faces Estudiantes (ARG), at Maracanã , for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores.
Mengão won convincingly against Juventude away from home and the level of performance caught attention, but the coach wants more
15 Set 2025 | 08:39 |
Sunday (15) was special for Flamengo, which ended a taboo of almost 28 years without beating Juventude at Alfredo Jaconi . In Caxias do Sul, in the 23rd round of the Brasileirão, Rubro-Negro beat the Gauchos 2-0 , with goals from Arrascaeta and Emerson Royal.
Filipe Luís on Flamengo: "Our goal is not only to maintain our performance, but to improve over time"
After the victory, coach Filipe Luís praised the team's performance and emphasized that it is poised to grow even further as the rounds progress. "Our goal is not only to maintain our performance, but to improve over time. With corrections, videos, training, and new concepts implemented, the team tends to evolve . We've already seen significant progress from the first half of the season to what we're seeing now," the coach stated.
The manager also emphasized that he can't control the results, but he has full responsibility for the way we play: "There's been a huge change in the team's backbone. Key players have left, and the new ones are trying to adapt quickly so we can continue to improve . I can't control the results, but I can control the way we play. We'll strive to improve our performance even further," added Filipe Luís.
With the victory in Caxias do Sul, Flamengo reached 50 points and remains the sole leader of the Brazilian Championship , with four points more than Palmeiras, in second place, but with one game more than the São Paulo club in the competition.
Now, the focus turns to the Copa Libertadores. Flamengo faces Estudiantes de La Plata (ARG) this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time) , at Maracanã, for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the continental competition.