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A regular starter for Flamengo in 2019, Willian Arão returned to Brazilian football in July 2025 to play for Santos. However, his time at Vila Belmiro may be nearing its end : the 33-year-old midfielder has only played seven minutes on the pitch and the club is already considering terminating his contract.

Arão's only appearance for Peixe came against Flamengo, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1-0 victory, with Neymar scoring at Vila Belmiro. Since then, he has struggled with physical problems and has had to make repeated visits to the medical department , without playing any regular games.

According to journalist Lucas Musetti, the so-called "Arão case" has become a mystery behind the scenes. The player showed up with calf pain and, even though no injuries were detected in the tests , continues to complain of discomfort that prevents him from training and playing.

WILL ARÃO PLAY AGAINST ATLÉTICO-MG?

Santos faces Atlético-MG this Sunday (14), in Belo Horizonte, but Arão is already vetoed. The expectation was that he would train this Thursday (11), which did not happen . Now, the technical committee is working to have him available only next week. Meanwhile, the discussion about the possible termination of the contract grows.

'COLD WAR' BEHIND THE SCENES

According to Musetti, the situation is generating internal friction. The player believes he's being misjudged , while the medical department assures him there's no injury. Furthermore, Arão's decision to hire a private physiotherapist has caused unease within the club.

After almost two weeks without games due to the September FIFA Date, Flamengo is getting closer to returning to the field . This Friday (12), the squad will hold the penultimate training session at Ninho do Urubu before the duel with Juventude . The activity led by Filipe Luís is scheduled for 9:30 am (Brasília time).

On Saturday (13), the squad trains again in the morning and then embarks for Rio Grande do Sul. The match against Juventude takes place on Sunday (14) , at 4 pm, at Alfredo Jaconi, for the 23rd round of the Brazilian Championship.

LEADERSHIP MAINTAINED

Flamengo leads the table with 47 points. Cruzeiro moved into second place with 44, while Palmeiras, which has 43 , dropped to third after a draw with Corinthians. The "Mais Querido" (The Most Beloved), however, has played one game less than the Minas Gerais team, but one game more than the "alviverde" (Green and White).

ALMOST FULL CAST

With the end of the FIFA Date, most of the players called up are already back. Arrascaeta and Varela returned on Wednesday (10), followed by Viña, Samuel Lino and Carrascal , on Thursday (11). The only exception is Gonzalo Plata , who was given time off to visit his family.

Alex Sandro, Erick Pulgar, Jorginho and Varela remain in the Medical Department. On Wednesday (10), the club released a bulletin updating the situation of each athlete . Of these, only the right-back appears to be able to play against Jaconero.

Flamengo focuses its attention on the clash with Juventude , this Sunday (14), for the 23rd round of the Brasileirão. However, Filipe Luís' team is also starting to prepare for the next big challenge of the season : the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals, against Estudiantes (ARG).

STUDENTS HAVE CONFIRMED SHORTAGES

The Argentine team will be without right-back Eric Meza, one of the team's standout players . The player suffered a muscle injury in the adductor of his thigh and will continue to recover, being out of Thursday's match (18), at Maracanã.

FLAMENGO SITUATION

For the red-and-black team, midfielder Erick Pulgar is a certain absence. The Chilean is still recovering from a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot . Jorginho, Alex Sandro, and Varela are also doubtful for Filipe Luís, as they remain under treatment in the medical department.

DATES OF MATCHES AGAINST ESTUDIANTES

• Departure: September 18 (Thursday), at 9:30 pm, at Maracanã.
• Return: September 25, at Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium, in Argentina.

Whoever advances from this clash will face the winner of the duel between Racing (ARG) and Vélez Sarsfield (ARG).

FLAMENGO'S NEXT GAME

Before the Libertadores, Flamengo returns to the field for the Brasileirão this Sunday (14) . The match will be against Juventude, at 4 pm (Brasília time), at Alfredo Jaconi Stadium, for the 23rd round of the competition. The Mais Querido is the leader of the competition with 47 points, three more than the second-placed team, Cruzeiro.