Live: watch Samuel Lino's press conference at Flamengo

Wallace Yan's intense stance became a topic of conversation again after the clash between Flamengo and Atlético-MG, last Thursday (31) , at Maracanã, for the first leg of the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil. The 20-year-old striker received a yellow card for getting involved in an argument with opponents, including Lyanco, and was again the target of external criticism.

Despite this, coach Filipe Luís adopted a firm stance in his defense, highlighting his personality as a key factor in his performance on the field. In a press conference following the 1-0 defeat, Luís commented on the number 29's behavior and made it clear that he has no intention of suppressing his style of play.

" I think Wallace is the player he is because of his character and personality. It's him, his style. He doesn't have to change; he has to continue being him," the coach stated. He added that the athlete "ignites the game" and that his style can irritate opponents, but shouldn't be seen as a negative, as long as it doesn't cross the line into violence or insults on the field.

CONFLICT BETWEEN WALLACE AND PLAYERS

Wallace's yellow card was a result of an argument with Lyanco shortly after coming on in the second half. Furthermore, the striker was the target of taunts while recovering from a collision. After the match, striker Hulk tried to talk to Wallace , but things got heated and the youngster had to be removed by teammates.

SPEECH BY FILIPE LUÍS

The relationship between Hulk and Wallace had already been the subject of a conversation caught on camera during the previous match between the teams. At the time, the coach himself had already indicated that he was familiar with the Flamengo striker's profile.

Vinícius Júnior continues his remarkable career at Real Madrid . More than just titles and decisive goals, the striker's connection with the Spanish club is also strengthened by his vision of personal and social impact. Since joining Real Madrid in 2018, after excelling at Flamengo , Vini has accumulated historic moments—among them, goals in Champions League finals and winning every major competition.

Vini Jr on dreams: "My biggest dream is to leave a legacy that goes beyond football"

Recalling milestones in his career, the number 7 highlighted three defining moments : his debut for Flamengo , his transfer to Real Madrid, and his goals in the Champions League final. "Each of them shaped who I am as a player and as a person," he stated.

BETWEEN PRESSURES AND OVERCOMINGS

Off the field, Vinícius faces intense challenges. In addition to the demands of sport, he has faced recurring episodes of racism in Europe. According to him, the support of his family and friends has been crucial to maintaining his emotional balance: " Just being with the people who know me best ... helps clear my mind and recharge my batteries," he said.

LEGACY BEYOND FOOTBALL

In a recent interview, Vinícius Júnior revealed that his greatest goal is to transform the lives of young Brazilians through education. He is the founder of an institution that works in this field and considers this work a fundamental part of his legacy: "My biggest dream is to leave a legacy that goes beyond football, especially with all the work I'm doing through my Foundation to improve the education system in Brazil ," he declared.

Raised in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, the striker said he takes seriously the responsibility of being an inspiration to those who come from similar backgrounds: " Being a role model means setting the right example . I try to stay focused, humble, and remember where I come from."

REFERENCES AND FUTURE

Vinícius draws inspiration from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Neymar, but points to his parents as his greatest role models: " Everything I do is to make them proud ." At 25, the forward has played 206 games and scored 61 goals for Real Madrid. Amidst discussions about his future, he remains focused on continuing to evolve as an athlete—and, most importantly, as an agent of social change.

Negotiated with Roma in this transfer window , right-back Wesley said goodbye to Flamengo to fulfill his dream of playing in European football. And his debut with the new shirt took place this Thursday (31) , in a friendly against Cannes (FRA), where the Brazilian had a standout performance.

Wesley came on at halftime and played the entire second half . Despite playing only 45 minutes, the former Flamengo player led the team in tackles and duels won, earning praise from the Italian fans. Roma won the game 3-0, with goals from Ferguson, Dovbyk, and El Shaarawy.

HIGHLIGHT IN THE NUMBERS: WESLEY ON HIS DEBUT FOR ROMA

• 47 minutes on the field
• 2 interceptions
• 6 disarms
• 8 duels won (out of 9 played)
• 1 foul committed

NEGOTIATION VALUE

Roma paid €25 million (approximately R$162 million) for Wesley, but the fee could reach €30 million (R$194 million) , depending on whether he meets the contractual milestones. Discovered by Flamengo , the full-back played 139 matches for the club, scoring four goals and providing six assists. After a patchy start, he ended his career as a regular starter and a fan favorite.

FLAMENGO REPLACES DEPARTURE WITH EMERSON ROYAL

To fill Wesley's shoes, Flamengo went to the transfer market and signed Emerson Royal, formerly of AC Milan. The club invested €9 million (approximately R$58 million) for the 26-year-old full-back , who signed a three-and-a-half-year contract until December 2028. The player has already started training at Ninho do Urubu and is now part of the squad.

FLAMENGO'S NEXT GAME

Flamengo returns to the field this Sunday (03), at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), to face Ceará , at Arena Castelão, for the 18th round of the Brazilian Championship. The match will be broadcast live on Premiere. Mengão is the leader of the Brasileirão with 36 points and has one game less than the runner-up, Cruzeiro.