Soccer

Boto explains Flamengo's failure to sign Mikey Johnston: "Timing error..."

Mengão's executive director details the behind-the-scenes of the attempt to hire Irish players, cites timing errors and criticizes the Brazilian football management model.

José Boto explains Flamengo's failure to sign Mikey Johnston, cites timing error and comments on the behind-the-scenes of the negotiation - photo: reproduction
José Boto explains Flamengo's failure to sign Mikey Johnston, cites timing error and comments on the behind-the-scenes of the negotiation - photo: reproduction

17 Set 2025 | 11:32 |

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After investing nearly R$300 million in the last transfer window, Flamengo faced a behind-the-scenes episode involving its attempt to sign Mikey Johnston from West Bromwich . The Rio de Janeiro club intended to pay £5 million (approximately R$37 million) for the Irish striker, but the deal was vetoed by president Bap.


In an interview with the UOL portal, executive director José Boto stated that the timing of the negotiations influenced the fans' perception and ultimately derailed the deal. " I think it was a matter of timing, because if he hadn't been the first, if he had been between Saúl and Samuel Lino, the fans might have reacted differently. Obviously, the job of scouting is to bring in players nobody knows," Boto said.


Flamengo director criticizes Brazilian football management: "There is a deep-rooted culture..."


The Portuguese manager also emphasized that Brazilian clubs still need to change their hiring mindset. " There's a deep-rooted culture in Portugal that Brazil will have to adopt sooner or later . Many clubs will have to start managing more according to the team's real needs than to the media or fans," he stated.

JUNINHO WAS THE FIRST BET


José Boto's first signing, Juninho has only scored three goals in 27 appearances for Flamengo, starting seven of them. He has not played since the 1-1 draw with Ceará on August 3rd and has not been included in the squad.

ABOUT THAT...

With a reinforced squad, 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.


Soccer

Flamengo's Deliberative Council will hold an important meeting regarding the future stadium

After completing the financial feasibility study presented by FGV, CoDe was called to discuss the next steps of the project

Flamengo's Deliberative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (17) to present the stadium's feasibility study - Photo: Reproduction
Flamengo's Deliberative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (17) to present the stadium's feasibility study - Photo: Reproduction

17 Set 2025 | 12:12 |

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Flamengo's Deliberative Council (CoDe) meets this Wednesday (17) to present new information about the construction of the red-black stadium. The meeting will be held in the Salão Nobre da Gávea, in Rio de Janeiro, starting at 6:30 pm and ending at 8:30 pm, in a hybrid format, allowing virtual participation for those who cannot attend in person.


PURPOSE OF THE MEETING


The main purpose of the meeting is to present the results of studies conducted by the companies hired to analyze the Gasômetro site. President Luiz Eduardo Baptista is also expected to explain the reasons for the postponement . Topics will be discussed, including deadlines, construction costs, and the project's economic viability for Flamengo at this time.


STUDIES ON THE GASOMETER GROUND

Following the completion of the financial feasibility study commissioned by the Getúlio Vargas Foundation, the club's board of directors continues to conduct several analyses to ensure that the project will not harm the club's sporting performance . The studies include:


  • Environmental investigation and soil contamination analysis;
  • Risk assessment update;
  • Definition of the best strategy for decontaminating the area;
  • Survey of geotechnical and topographical data of the terrain.
FLAMENGO'S NEXT GAME

While following developments at the stadium, Filipe Luís' team prepares for the next match: Flamengo x Estudiantes (ARG), this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã , for the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals. The match will be broadcast on ESPN and Disney+.


Soccer

Flamengo vs Estudiantes: Check out the ESPN and Disney+ broadcast team

The Libertadores quarterfinal clash between Mengão and the La Plata club will be broadcast exclusively on the group's channels.

Zinho will be on the ESPN and Disney+ broadcast team for the duel between Flamengo and Estudiantes - Photo: Reproduction
Zinho will be on the ESPN and Disney+ broadcast team for the duel between Flamengo and Estudiantes - Photo: Reproduction

17 Set 2025 | 11:59 |

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Flamengo and Estudiantes face each other this Thursday (18), at Maracanã , for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. The match will be broadcast by ESPN, with narration by Rogério Vaughan and commentary by Zinho and Paulo Calçade . The duel will also be available on Disney+ streaming. The ball rolls at 9:30 pm (Brasília time).


ARBITRATION
  • Referee: Andrés Rojas (COL)
  • Assistants: Alexander Guzman and John León (COL)
  • 4th referee: John Ospina (COL)
  • VAR: Nicolas Gallo (COL)
  • VAR Assistant: David Rodriguez (COL)
STUDENTS' DEFAULTS


Estudiantes will have two key absences for the match in Rio . Defender González Pírez suffered a Grade 3 injury to his right hamstring during the loss to River Plate and is out for both quarterfinal matches. Santiago Núñez is expected to take his place.


Up front, Edwuin Cetré is also out due to a Grade 1 biceps femoris muscle injury in his left leg . With the injury, the Argentines will face Flamengo in a packed Maracanã stadium—all tickets for the match were sold out in advance.

FLAMENGO SITUATION


Rubro-Negro continues with Erick Pulgar in the medical department, recovering from a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot. The main doubts for the match are Jorginho, Alex Sandro, and Varela, who will undergo evaluation this Thursday to determine whether they will be available for Filipe Luís.



Soccer

Flamengo moves forward to renew Filipe Luís' contract; check the contract length

With Mengão leading the Brasileirão and in the Libertadores, the board is accelerating negotiations to extend the coach's contract, as he rejected an offer from abroad.

Filipe Luís leads Flamengo, leader of the Brasileirão, and could renew his contract until 2026 after rejecting Fenerbahçe's offer - photo: reproduction
Filipe Luís leads Flamengo, leader of the Brasileirão, and could renew his contract until 2026 after rejecting Fenerbahçe's offer - photo: reproduction

17 Set 2025 | 11:49 |

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Filipe Luís is one of the "jewels" among Brazilian football coaches. With the red-and-black coach still in charge, the team maintains a real chance of winning the Brasileirão Betano and the Copa Libertadores . With 50 points from 22 matches, the club sits atop Série A and is solidifying itself as a top contender for the national cup.


According to information published by the newspaper “O Globo” this Wednesday (17), José Boto, Flamengo's football director, met with businessman Jorge Mendes to discuss the renewal of Filipe Luís' contract . According to journalist Diogo Dantas, the meeting led to a positive move towards the coach's permanence, although the official signing should only take place at the end of the year.


COACH REFUSED FENERBAHÇE'S OFFER


In recent weeks, Filipe Luís received an offer from Fenerbahçe of Turkey, but opted to remain with the Rio de Janeiro club. The board's plan is to extend his contract until the end of 2026, with the possibility of automatic renewal. President Bap intends to value the coach's work, who has maintained the same salary since leaving the youth academy to replace Tite in Flamengo 's first team.

FILIPE LUÍS'S CAREER AS A COACH


Filipe Luís is about to complete a year in charge of Flamengo . The coach took over the team on September 30, 2024, after Tite's dismissal, and has since collected titles: Copa do Brasil, Campeonato Carioca, and Supercopa do Brasil . The coach has played 65 games, with 43 wins, 16 draws, and only six losses, consolidating one of the club's most consistent campaigns in recent years.

NEXT CHALLENGE IN THE LIBERTADORES

Flamengo, under the command of Filipe Luís, begins this Thursday (18) the dispute of the quarterfinals of the Libertadores against Estudiantes (ARG). The match takes place at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, with broadcast by ESPN (closed TV) and Disney+ (streaming).




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