Soccer

Ancelotti defends Vini Jr, former Flamengo after questions about absence

Real Madrid coach recalled that the striker was fundamental in two Champions League titles for the merengue club

Ancelotti defends Vini Jr, former Flamengo - Photo: Instagram/Carlo Ancelotti
Ancelotti defends Vini Jr, former Flamengo - Photo: Instagram/Carlo Ancelotti

24 Jan 2025 | 13:46 |

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vini jr . will be out of Confrontation of Real Madrid against Valladolid this Saturday, for the 21st round of Laliga . The Brazilian striker fulfills suspension of two games after being sent off in the match against Valencia , where he pushed the goalkeeper dimitievski . Asked about the importance of the player to the team, coach Carlo Ancelotti did not hesitate to defend Vini.



“I think some forget that with Vinicius we won the Champions League in Paris (season 21/22 ) and also Champions in London (23/24). Vinicius is an undisputed player , no doubt, ”Ancelotti said in a press conference.


Suspensions only affect the Laliga


The punishment applied by the Spain Football Federation of Football (RFEF) is valid only for Laliga Games . Vini Jr. has already been left out of the victory of Real Madrid About The Las Palmas , last Saturday, from 4 to 1 , and will complete the suspension against Valladolid.

Even without being able to act in Spanish, the shirt 7 was cast for the semifinal and the decision of Super Copa do Spain , in addition to playing the seventh round of Champions League . However, during the duel against RB Salzburg, Vini received a Yellow Card by simulation at the end of the first half, the which left him suspended for the last round of the phase of European competition groups due to excess cards.

Physical preparation as a priority

Despite suspensions, Carlo Ancelotti stressed that the period outside the Games will be beneficial to Vini Jr., helping in his recovery and preparation for the next challenges of the season.

“About Vini not playing the next Champions game, he's the same as usual and showed it against Salzburg. And stopping will do you good, because you will not only have days of recovery , but also days of work and training . He will enjoy all this time ... and that will make you arrive ready in March and April for the important moment of the season, ”said the coach.



Soccer

10 and a sash! Arrascaeta takes center stage for Flamengo and becomes the hopeful against Estudiantes

Mengão idol, Uruguayan is having a goalscoring season and will be an important player in the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals against Argentina

Arrascaeta, Flamengo's number 10, is having a goalscoring season and will be the main highlight against Estudiantes at Maracanã - photo: reproduction
Arrascaeta, Flamengo's number 10, is having a goalscoring season and will be the main highlight against Estudiantes at Maracanã - photo: reproduction

18 Set 2025 | 18:00 |

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Increasingly established as a Flamengo idol, Giorgian De Arrascaeta is enjoying one of the finest moments of his career. Since donning the iconic No. 10 jersey in December 2024 , the Uruguayan has taken center stage in the Flamengo midfield.


With 18 goals and 13 assists this season, he has already equaled his highest-scoring year since arriving in Rio de Janeiro and could achieve the best performance of his professional career. The midfielder will be one of coach Filipe Luís's main weapons in this Thursday's duel (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã , for the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals.


RUBRO-NEGRO TEAM HAS IMPORTANT RETURNS


In addition to Arrascaeta's key role, Flamengo will have reinforcements in its squad. Léo Ortiz, Varela, and Bruno Henrique are available to face Estudiantes . Meanwhile, Alex Sandro and Jorginho remain doubtful and will have their fitness assessed shortly before the match.

STUDENTS HAVE DROPOUTS


Eduardo Domínguez's team will be without González Pirez and Edwuin Cetré, both injured. Even so, 27 players were selected for the match in Rio de Janeiro, and the final training session took place at Fluminense's training center in Rio's West Zone . The Argentine team reached the quarterfinals after defeating Cerro Porteño 1-0 on aggregate.

FLAMENGO X ESTUDIANTES LINEUPS

FLAMENGO (Coach: Filipe Luis): Rossi; Varela (Emerson Royal), Leo Ortiz, Leo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas (Viña); Saul, De La Cruz (Jorginho) and Arrascaeta; Plata, Pedro and Samuel Lino.

ESTUDIATES (Coach: Eduardo Domínguez): Muslera; Román Gómez, Santiago Núñez, Facundo Rodríguez and Santiago Arzamendia; Ascacíbar, Gabriel Neves, Amondarain and Medina; Tiago Palacios and Guido Carrillo.


Soccer

Flamengo's rival, Estudiantes, has one of the cheapest teams in the Libertadores knockout stages.

The red-and-black team has the second most valuable squad in the competition, while Argentina has the second cheapest squad among those who qualified.

Flamengo faces Estudiantes in the Libertadores quarterfinals; the red-and-black team has a millionaire squad - photo: reproduction
Flamengo faces Estudiantes in the Libertadores quarterfinals; the red-and-black team has a millionaire squad - photo: reproduction

18 Set 2025 | 16:59 |

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Flamengo returns to the field this Thursday (18) to face Estudiantes (ARG) in the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. The clash pits one of the most expensive squads in the tournament against one of the most financially modest.


According to data from the specialized website ' Transfermarkt ', Estudiantes has the second least valuable squad among those qualified for the quarterfinals, valued at 45.6 million euros (approximately R$283.8 million). Flamengo is at the other end of the list: it has the second most expensive squad in the competition, estimated at 195.1 million euros (approximately R$1.2 billion), behind only Palmeiras.


LIST OF MOST VALUABLE CLUBS
  • Palmeiras – €212.15 million (R$1.324 billion)
  • Flamengo – €195.10 million (R$1.217 billion)
  • São Paulo – €89.85 million (R$560.5 million)
  • River Plate (ARG) – €86.9 million (R$542.1 million)
  • Racing (ARG) – €82.03 million (R$512 million)
  • Vélez Sarsfield (ARG) – €50.78 million (R$316.9 million)
  • Students – €45.48 million (R$283.8 million)
  • LDU (EQU) – €16.7 million (R$104.2 million)
PATH OF FLAMENGO AND STUDENTS


Flamengo advanced to the quarterfinals after eliminating Internacional in the round of 16, winning both matches. Estudiantes secured their spot by defeating Cerro Porteño (Pará), winning away from home and drawing in La Plata . This Thursday's match promises to test the value of their investment against the Argentines' tradition.


Soccer

Flamengo has two players called up for the U-20 World Cup

Flamengo defenders João Victor and Iago are among the 21 players called up by Ramon Menezes to represent Brazil at the U-20 World Cup

Flamengo's João Victor and Iago were called up for the U-20 World Cup; Brazil is in Group C with Mexico, Morocco and Spain in Chile
Flamengo's João Victor and Iago were called up for the U-20 World Cup; Brazil is in Group C with Mexico, Morocco and Spain in Chile

18 Set 2025 | 16:43 |

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Flamengo U-20 will be represented at the World Cup by two players. Coach Ramon Menezes called up, this Thursday (18), defenders João Victor and Iago to defend the Brazilian National Team in the tournament. The competition will be held in Chile between September 27 and October 19.


Brazil is in Group C of the U-20 World Cup and will face Mexico, Morocco, and Spain in the initial phase. A total of 24 teams participate in the competition, divided into six groups of four teams each. The top two teams in each group and the four best third-place teams advance to the round of 16. From this stage onward, the matches become knockout until the title is decided.


COMPLETE LIST OF 21 PLAYERS


Goalkeepers: Felipe Longo ( Corinthians ), Lucas Furtado (Vitória-POR) and Otávio (Cruzeiro).

Defenders: Gilberto (Palmeiras), Igor Serrote (Al Jazira-UAE), Leandrinho (Vasco), Léo Derik (Athletico-PR), Bruno Alves (Cruzeiro), Iago (Flamengo) and João Victor ( Flamengo ).


Midfielders: Coutinho (Palmeiras), João Cruz (Athletico-PR), Murilo (Cruzeiro), Rayan Lucas (Sporting-POR) and Rhuan Gabriel (Cruzeiro).

Forwards: Deivid Washington (Chelsea-ING), Erick Belé (Palmeiras), Gustavo Prado (Internacional), Luighi (Palmeiras), Pedrinho (Zenit-RUS) and Wesley (Al Nassr-SAU).


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