Soccer

Referee praises Adriano Imperador and reports unusual behind-the-scenes experiences with the Flamengo idol

Former referee highlights the respectful attitude of former Mengão striker in 2009 and reveals a curious episode with a reserve goalkeeper during his football career

Marcelo de Lima Henrique praises Adriano Imperador for his attitude upon returning to Flamengo and tells unusual behind-the-scenes stories about refereeing - photo: reproduction
Marcelo de Lima Henrique praises Adriano Imperador for his attitude upon returning to Flamengo and tells unusual behind-the-scenes stories about refereeing - photo: reproduction

16 Jun 2025 | 17:10 |

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Retired from the field, Adriano Imperador continues to receive recognition for his conduct during his career. This time, the praise came from former referee Marcelo de Lima Henrique, who, when recalling important moments in his career in football, highlighted the former striker's calm demeanor, especially during his return to Flamengo in 2009.


In a conversation with influencer João Mércio, during an event, Marcelo participated in a question and answer game in which he ranked several athletes he had contact with on the field . Among the categories mentioned — such as the “most annoying” player, “angriest” player and the author of the “most beautiful goal”.




Marcelo de Lima talks about Adriano at Flamengo: "A good guy"

The former referee was also asked about the calmest players he worked with. “ I refereed Romário’s game, at the end of his career. [It was] easy. Adriano Imperador, when he returned to Flamengo, was ‘cool’. They only scored goals, those guys”, said Marcelo.


MARCELO DE LIMA HENRIQUE REVEALS DISCUSSION

In addition to praising the great names of Brazilian football, Marcelo also shared a curious episode from his career . According to him, although he controlled himself in several tense moments, there was one occasion when he almost lost his cool after being provoked by an athlete who was not even playing.

When I refereed the game really well and a goalkeeper came up and said: 'Professor, you're really bad'. I said: 'Man, you're on the bench and I refereed, I'm on the field. And you call me bad? You're the bad one'”, said Marcelo, in a good-humoured tone.

FORMER REFEREE ASKS FOR RESPECT OFF THE FIELD

At the end of the conversation, Marcelo de Lima Henrique left a message for fans who follow Brazilian football with passion . He emphasized that, although insults are part of the competitive environment, it is essential to remember that the professionals involved are also human beings.

Keep cheering, cursing, getting emotional. You play football. But there is a good person here. A human being who loves football, loves what he does. So, keep it up. On the field, there is no problem. Off the field there is mutual respect, because we are human beings too,” he concluded.


Soccer

Flamengo surpasses giants like Real Madrid, Barcelona and PSG

Victory over Internacional in the Libertadores puts Mengão above the main teams in European football, such as the Spanish team and the French champions.

Since the arrival of Filipe Luís, Flamengo has won more games than Real Madrid, Barcelona and PSG - Photo: Adriano Fontes/Flamengo
Since the arrival of Filipe Luís, Flamengo has won more games than Real Madrid, Barcelona and PSG - Photo: Adriano Fontes/Flamengo

22 Ago 2025 | 18:00 |

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Flamengo achieved an impressive feat under Filipe Luís. With the 2-0 victory over Internacional , this Wednesday (20), at Beira-Rio, the club reached 43 triumphs since October 2024 , becoming the team with the most victories in the world in that period.


Rubro-Negro overcame European football powers such as PSG, Real Madrid and Barcelona , who recorded 42, 39 and 37 victories, respectively, which further consolidates the numbers achieved since the coach began his work at Mengão.


RANKING OF TEAMS WITH THE MOST WINS SINCE OCTOBER 2024
  • Flamengo: 43 wins
  • PSG: 42 wins
  • Real Madrid: 39 wins
  • Barcelona: 37 wins
QUALIFIED IN THE LIBERTADORES


In addition to the record, Flamengo also confirmed its place in the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores . The team eliminated Internacional with two victories: 1-0 at Maracanã and 2-0 at Beira-Rio. In the next round, they will face Estudiantes (ARG).

THREE WINS IN A ROW OVER INTER


Internacional has been one of the main victims of Mais Querido in 2025. In less than a month, there were three consecutive defeats to the team from Rio Grande do Sul, with an aggregate score of 6-1 in the following clashes between the two teams:

  • 1-0 in the first leg of the Libertadores round of 16;
  • 3 to 1 for the Brazilian Championship;
  • 2-0 in the second leg of the Libertadores.
NEXT APPOINTMENT

Now, Flamengo turns its attention to the Brazilian Championship. The next game will be against Vitória, on Monday (25), at 9 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã. The match will be broadcast on Premiere (pay-per-view) and SporTV (closed channel).


Soccer

Problem? Arrascaeta appears to be undergoing treatment during his time off at Flamengo

Uruguayan is having his best season in terms of numbers with the Mengão shirt, but he worried fans by posting a post showing the procedure

Arrascaeta posts a video of himself undergoing treatment with Flamengo's physiotherapist on social media - Photo: Reproduction/Flamengo
Arrascaeta posts a video of himself undergoing treatment with Flamengo's physiotherapist on social media - Photo: Reproduction/Flamengo

22 Ago 2025 | 17:00 |

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Flamengo's squad had Friday (22) off , but Arrascaeta didn't stop taking care of himself. Even without scheduled activities at Ninho do Urubu, the number 10 showed concern about the sequence of games of the season and carried out special treatment at home.


On social media, the Uruguayan posted a video in which he appears to be receiving a procedure on his right thigh , similar to a localized massage. The session was conducted by Laniyan Neves, the club's physiotherapist .


HOW IS THE SITUATION IN ARRASCAETA?


The midfielder is not injured. After enjoying the break, he will return to the squad as normal this Saturday (23), at 9:30 am , at Ninho do Urubu in preparation for the game against Vitória and there is an expectation that he will be a starter for the match.

THE URUGUAYAN'S MOMENT IN THE SEASON


Arrascaeta is enjoying one of his best spells for Flamengo . He has not only reached 100 assists , equaling idols like Zico, Júnior, and Adílio, but also scored 15 goals in 2025, leaving him just three shy of his best year with the club, in 2019.

Last Wednesday (20), he was decisive again: he scored the first goal in the victory over Internacional, at Beira-Rio , in the round of 16 of the Libertadores. With the triumph, confirmed with Pedro's goal, Mais Querido advanced to the quarterfinals, where they will face Estudiantes (ARG).

WHAT IS FLAMENGO'S NEXT GAME?

With Arrascaeta available, Flamengo returns to the field this Monday (25), at 9 pm (Brasília time), against Vitória, at Maracanã, for the 21st round of the Brasileirão. The match will be broadcast by Premiere (pay-per-view) . Mengão is the leader of the competition with 43 points, while Vitória opens the relegation zone with 19.


Soccer

Barcelona coach heaps praise on Flamengo ahead of U-20 World Cup

Barça will be Mengão's opponent this Saturday (23) at Maracanã for the intercontinental decision and coach Belletti talks about the greatness of Fla

Barcelona coach Belletti heaps praise on Flamengo ahead of the U-20 World Cup final - Photo: Reproduction/Lance
Barcelona coach Belletti heaps praise on Flamengo ahead of the U-20 World Cup final - Photo: Reproduction/Lance

22 Ago 2025 | 16:00 |

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The Crias do Ninho continue preparing for the big decision of the U-20 Club World Cup , which takes place this Saturday (23), against Barcelona (ESP) , at Maracanã. On the other side, the coach of the Spanish team, Juliano Belletti, celebrated the return to the stadium and highlighted the strength of Flamengo and the Nação Rubro-Negra.


Barcelona coach Belletti on Flamengo: "a great story with an impressive fan base"


"Being able to return to Maracanã, now as a coach, was something I saw as very difficult years ago. Today, returning to represent Barça, the club where I played and won titles , in front of a Flamengo team with a great history and an impressive fan base, is an experience that needs to be lived with the utmost intensity possible," Belletti told Lance!.


The coach also emphasized the importance of the match: " It will be Barcelona's first official game in Brazil in 125 years . And it will be at the Maracanã. More than anything, it's about representing the institution well, respecting Flamengo —the current Libertadores champion in this category—and showing what everyone expects: the club's DNA."

WILL FLAMENGO HAVE REINFORCEMENTS FOR THE FINAL?


Bruno Pivetti's team will have important reinforcements from the professional squad. João Victor, Matheus Gonçalves, Daniel Sales, and Lorran were released to join the under-20 group in the final . The Rubro-Negro won the title in 2024, defeating Olympiacos (GRE) 2-1 at Maracanã. Now, they will have the chance to win their second championship in front of their home fans.

WHEN IS THE GAME BETWEEN FLAMENGO AND BARCELONA?

The final between Flamengo and Barcelona, led by Belletti, takes place this Saturday (23), at 4:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, with a full house expected at the stadium. The match will be broadcast on Rede Globo (open TV) and SporTV (closed TV).


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