
Soccer
Flamengo returns this Tuesday targeting Estudiantes in the Libertadores
16 Set 2025 | 09:07
Soccer
04 Nov 2024 | 13:52 |
In a recent interview, Flamengo's Uruguayan midfielder, Giorgian de Arrascaeta,made an observation fun about his teammate, former left-back Filipe Luíse, now coach. With a mixture of playfulness and admiration, Arrascaeta described Filipe Luís' intensity in analyzing games and taking care of performance on the field. The statement provides a light perspective on the relationship between the two players and highlights the dedicated attitude of Filipe Luís, who, according to Arrascaeta, "will age about five years" due to this intensity.
Arrascaeta's speech reflects the climate of friendship between the athletes and the high-performance culture at Flamengo. "I told him, two years here I think he'll age about five years. The game ends, he's already looking at statistics, how we played, the rival. He gets home, drinks coffee, starts watching the game. I said, 'Fili, calm down, calm down. If not, you're going to die." Filipe Luís, known for being one of the players most committed to preparing and studying his opponents, seems to go beyond the game. expected to keep the team's performance high. According to Arrascaeta, his colleague even studies the game statistics right after the final whistle and continues analyzing until home. The relaxed comment generated repercussions among fans and brought lightness to the working environment of the red and black squad.
FLAMENGO HAS A NEW COACH
With a career marked by discipline, Filipe Luís is recognized for his professionalism and dedication on the field and off it. The full-back is seen as a reference for his teammates, offering tactical and technical support and becoming an example for the younger players in the squad. This intense dedication is what, according to Arrascaeta, sets him apart as a leader at Flamengo, but also as someone who can "age faster" due to the high level of demand he imposes on himself.
At Flamengo, this focused profile is seen as a competitive advantage. Filipe Luís' approach directly contributes to the team's preparation and adjustment for matches, influencing the team with his example of dedication. In today's football, performance analysis is a fundamental resource, and players like Filipe Luís incorporate this process to maximize their chances of winning. Arrascaeta, with his good humor, plays with intensity, but makes clear the importance of this profile for the club's success.
A Arrascaeta's observation about Filipe Luís reveals more than just a joke; it is a demonstration of how different profiles can coexist and raise the level of a team like Flamengo. While Filipe Luís brings the rigor and focus necessary for success at a high level, Arrascaeta offers lightness and creativity, essential for the group's balance.
The coach was approached by the Turkish club, but chose to stay at Mengão and the commentator says the choice was the right one
16 Set 2025 | 10:49 |
Coach Filipe Luís was in Fenerbahçe's (TUR) sights , but chose to remain at Flamengo. Former Flamengo captain Fábio Luciano, now a commentator, the choice was a wise one and further strengthens the coach's position at the club.
Fábio Luciano on Filipe Luís's decision to reject Fenerbahçe and stay at Flamengo: "I'm sure he's right"
Fábio Luciano highlighted Fenerbahçe's stature, but reinforced that Filipe Luís acted correctly in prioritizing Flamengo : "I'm sure he's right. All my respect to Fenerbahçe, a giant club in Turkey, which has signed great players, like goalkeeper Ederson. But Filipe is working very hard in his career. Besides his love for Flamengo , he knows he has great possibilities to continue making his mark on the history of a gigantic club," the former defender stated.
According to Fábio Luciano, the decision also reflects Flamengo's realistic chances of winning this season: " Flamengo is heading in that direction, based on their style of play, the squad they've assembled, and their ability . We're certain that Filipe has a long career ahead of him and that he's very thoughtful about his next steps. It's a great decision for Flamengo fans and for those who follow his work, because it adds a lot."
Finally, the former captain emphasized the importance of Filipe Luís's work in the team's development. "We talk about the quality of the squad, but everything is very interconnected. He has a big influence on Flamengo's style of play: high pressure, connection between players, collective confidence. He's systematic, knowledgeable about football, and fully adapted to the club . There's a lot of respect from the fans and the board for his work. And he knows the objectives he still has to achieve."
Now, the focus turns to the Libertadores. Flamengo faces Estudiantes this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã . The return game, in La Plata, is already scheduled for September 25. The match will be broadcast on ESPN (pay TV) and Disney+ (streaming) throughout Brazil.
The Spanish midfielder, who was about to sign with Trabzonspor, signed with Mengão after quick negotiations led by the director of the Rio de Janeiro club.
16 Set 2025 | 10:37 |
Saúl Ñíguez, one of Flamengo's key signings in the last transfer window, was very close to playing in Turkey before signing with the Rio de Janeiro club. Technical director José Boto revealed that the Spaniard had already reached an agreement with Trabzonspor , but the negotiations changed course overnight.
According to Boto, the opportunity arose shortly after Erick Pulgar's injury and Gerson 's departure. " Saúl emerged as a player capable of playing both roles; he was free on the market, but with a move to Trabzonspor almost certain ," he said.
He stated that the deal with the midfielder took place the night after the game against São Paulo. " That morning we managed to bring him to Brazil and not to where he was going, " he added in an interview with the UOL Esporte portal.
The change of direction proved positive for both Flamengo and the athlete. In a short time in Rio de Janeiro, Saúl won over the Flamengo fans and assumed a starting spot in midfield . His versatility has been crucial for the team, filling in for absences and strengthening the central midfield.
With Saúl available, Flamengo returns to the field this Thursday (18) to face Estudiantes , from Argentina, in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. The match takes place at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã.
Midfielder left Mengão after Zenit paid the full termination fee and the director says the situation also delayed the club in the market
16 Set 2025 | 09:30 |
Flamengo's technical director, José Boto, addressed various topics from the season in a recent interview . Among them was the departure of Gerson, who was transferred to Zenit (RUS) for €25 million. The director explained how the transfer directly impacted the Flamengo market and negotiations for reinforcements.
José Boto on Gerson's departure from Flamengo: "I always had the feeling that Gerson aspired to a higher salary"
According to Boto, after Gerson's sale, the clubs negotiating with Flamengo began demanding tougher terms, such as larger upfront payments and fewer installments. The board, however, maintained its stance.
"There was an additional issue that made negotiations take longer: the sale of Gerson . When clubs know we're receiving €25 million upfront, they start wanting us to pay upfront or with smaller installments . We never wanted to get into that, because it would send a bad signal to the market," Boto told UOL.
This stance meant that the signings took longer to be confirmed, generating criticism from fans and the press . The manager acknowledged his discomfort with the "noise" surrounding the issue due to statements made before the window opened.
"Perhaps I was to blame for this because I said in an interview that negotiations were already underway and we expected to bring in players early. It created unnecessary fuss, and it seemed like everything was wrong . Then, when the players arrived at the right time, without paying more than we should have, the window became one of the best in history."
Despite the initial turbulence, the club closed the biggest transfer window in its history, with R$277 million invested in Samuel Lino, Emerson Royal, Jorge Carrascal and Saúl Ñíguez — the latter signed without transfer fees.
Commenting on Gerson's departure, Boto treated the player's choice matter-of-factly. According to him, there was never a €29 million offer, as was previously reported . The real offer was a fixed €18 million, with unrealistic bonuses.
"I always had the feeling that Gerson aspired to a higher salary, which is natural. It was agreed that he would only leave if they paid him upfront, and that's what happened . It's perfectly normal in football," the director explained. The departure, however, didn't sit well with the fans, who felt the decision diminished the idolization of Gerson, one of the leaders of the red-and-black squad in recent years.