Soccer

Boto preaches personality and points out "priority" in 2025 for Flamengo

Flamengo will have the Brazilian Championship as its main objective in 2025

The Football Director opened the game about the future of Flamengo (Photo: Marcelo Cortes / CRF)
The Football Director opened the game about the future of Flamengo (Photo: Marcelo Cortes / CRF)

31 Dez 2024 | 11:14 |

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Flamengo will have the Brazilian Championship as its main objective in 2025. The statement was made by José Boto, the club's new technical director, during his first interview conference, held last Monday (30). The Portuguese highlighted the importance of winning titles and stressed that, if the club needs to prioritize a competition, the Brasileirão will be at the top of the list.


Flamengo has not won the Brasileirão since 2020, when they won the title in a scenario marked by the pandemic. Since then, Rubro-Negro has faced difficulties in fighting directly for the cup, remaining far from the top positions in decisive moments of the tournament. In the 2024 season, the club finished in third place, gaining 70 points.


FLAMENGO WAS NOT A STRONG COMPETITOR 


The title went to Botafogo, followed by Palmeiras. Although it achieved a good placement, Flamengowas not a direct competitor for the title, demonstrating that it still needs to adjust details to dominate the competition again. In addition to the Brasileirão, Flamengo also wants to regain its strength in the Libertadores. The club was already champion in 2019 and 2022, but faced frustrating eliminations in the most recent editions. In 2024, for example, the team fell in the quarterfinals to Peñarol (URU), leaving the fans with a bitter taste.


BOTO OPENS THE GAME ABOUT FLAMENGO

José Boto emphasized the importance of a qualified cast and a mentality winner to achieve the objectives in all competitions. The technical director highlighted that Flamengo needs to be prepared to compete at a high level, whether on the national or international stage. With such ambitious goals, the club must seek significant reinforcements to build a competitive squad in 2025. The intention is to bring in players who can raise the team's level and help it achieve the desired titles.

Priority in the Brasileirão does not mean that Flamengo will leave other competitions aside. According to José Boto, the club needs to find a balance between competing in several tournaments and maintaining performance at a high level. One of Flamengo's strategies to achieve its goals may include adjustments to the technical committee. The club seeks an alignment between the coach's work philosophy and the goals established by the board for 2025.


Soccer

Flamengo has important returns in the likely lineup against Ceará

Mengão goes to Fortaleza for a duel against Vozão in the fight to remain at the top of the Brasileirão and will have reinforcements available to Filipe Luís

Filipe Luís is counting on important returns at Flamengo to build his team against Ceará - Photo: Adriano Fontes/Flamengo
Filipe Luís is counting on important returns at Flamengo to build his team against Ceará - Photo: Adriano Fontes/Flamengo

03 Ago 2025 | 08:30 |

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Leader of the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo returns to the field this Sunday (03) to face Ceará, away from home, at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), at Arena Castelão. The team led by Filipe Luís seeks to maintain the top of the table , but will have to deal with important absences for the match of the 18th round.


IMPORTANT RETURNS IN THE FLAMENGO LINEUP


Meanwhile, Filipe Luís will have some players back who were rested for the Copa do Brasil clash against Atlético-MG. Arrascaeta, who wasn't even included in the squad, and Jorginho, who didn't make the bench, will return to the starting lineup this Sunday. Therefore, Flamengo 's likely starting lineup to face Ceará is : Rossi; Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, and Ayrton Lucas (Alex Sandro); Allan, Jorginho, and Arrascaeta; Bruno Henrique, Samuel Lino, and Gonzalo Plata.


The coach also has some solid options on the bench. Juninho could appear in attack, while Matheus Gonçalves, who started in the last game, could return to midfield . In defense, Uruguayan Viña remains an alternative, and Spaniard Saúl Ñíguez, who made a strong debut against Galo, is also among those named.

EMBARRASSMENTS


Among the absentees are Danilo, who remains off the roster, and Luiz Araújo, who was left out due to fitness monitoring . Erick Pulgar, still recovering from an injury, is also out, as are Pedro and Wallace Yan, both suspended. Another absence is goalkeeper Matheus Cunha, diagnosed with patellar tendonitis in his left knee.

THE GAME

The clash between Flamengo and Ceará for the 18th round of the Brasileirão is this Sunday (3) at 6:30 pm (Brasília time) at Arena Castelão, in Fortaleza. The match will be broadcast by Record, on Open TV, by CazéTV, on YouTube, and by Premiere , on pay-per-view.



Soccer

Italian newspaper criticizes Wesley's performance in a friendly match, ex-Flamengo player

The full-back played only his second match as a Roma player and a renowned publication did not hold back on criticism and questioned the amount paid to Mengão

After shining in his debut, Wesley, ex-Flamengo, has his performance criticized by Corriere dello Sport - Photo: Reproduction/Roma
After shining in his debut, Wesley, ex-Flamengo, has his performance criticized by Corriere dello Sport - Photo: Reproduction/Roma

03 Ago 2025 | 08:00 |

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After a promising and praised debut , right-back Wesley, formerly of Flamengo, received his first criticism in Italy . This Saturday (02), after starting for Roma in the 2-0 victory over Lens, in a pre-season friendly, the 21-year-old was the target of negative comments from the newspaper Corriere dello Sport.


Corriere dello Sport on Wesley, ex-Flamengo: "he's not yet the prodigy full-back"


Wesley played 71 minutes in the match and, despite participating actively, was given a 5.5 rating by the publication. The newspaper questioned whether his performance justified Roma's significant investment of €25 million (approximately R$160 million): "They said he would arrive in top form, as he had been playing in Brazil. But Wesley is not yet the prodigious full-back Roma invested €25 million in ," wrote the sports daily.


NEWSPAPER SEES POTENTIAL, BUT EXPECTED MORE

Despite its critical tone, Corriere dello Sport acknowledged that it was too early to make a definitive judgment. " We're only in August football ," the publication mused, referring to the preseason. However, it emphasized that "the spark everyone was hoping for hasn't yet appeared" in the first two tests.


On the other hand, the newspaper highlighted the player's offensive potential and left a sign of optimism: " When he advances, Wesley continues to show an untapped potential that, if well worked, can turn into dynamite."

FEATURED IN THE PREMIERE

The review contrasts with the assessment made by the same outlet after the full-back's debut in the 3-0 victory over Cannes. On that occasion, Wesley came on in the second half and was described as "the most anticipated player," receiving praise for his dedication on the field: "He runs, runs, and runs some more. Up and down without stopping. He drew applause from the fans," the newspaper wrote after the first game.

FANS APPROVE WESLEY'S PERFORMANCE

While the press is cautious, Roma fans are excited about the Brazilian full-back, formerly of Flamengo . On social media, several fans praised his speed, strength, and chemistry with midfielder Soulé:

“Half an hour of Lens vs Roma and I can say that Wesley is probably the best right-back in the world due to his compatibility with Soulé,” wrote one fan.

"If Soulé understands how to pass the ball at the right time to Wesley, Roma will be very successful . Wesley is extremely fast and strong," commented another.



Soccer

Pay train! Flamengo makes Ceará fans fill Castelão stadium

Mengão travels to Fortaleza to face Vozão in the 18th round of the Brasileirão and the expectation of a full stadium excites the attacker

Castelão will be full for the clash between Flamengo and Ceará for the Brazilian Championship - Photo: Reproduction/Flamengo
Castelão will be full for the clash between Flamengo and Ceará for the Brazilian Championship - Photo: Reproduction/Flamengo

03 Ago 2025 | 07:35 |

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Flamengo returns to the field this Sunday (03), at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), to face Ceará, in the 18th round of the Brazilian Championship. On the other side, the Ceará team will have a full house at Arena Castelão, and expectations in the squad are high. In a press conference this Friday (01), striker Pedro Henrique praised the support of the fans and revealed the atmosphere of confidence in the locker room.


Pedro Henrique on Castelão being packed for Ceará vs Flamengo: "This fan mobilization is nothing new"


"The anticipation for the game is very high. This fan mobilization is nothing new for me or the squad. It's a reflection of the work we've been doing since last year . Who knows, maybe it's time to reap the rewards. We beat Cruzeiro away from home and now we have another big challenge: Flamengo . With a full stadium, I hope we can achieve a good result," said the striker.


CEARÁ COMES UP CHARGED BY AWAY VICTORY

Ceará arrives motivated for the clash against the Brasileirão leader. In the last round, the team defeated Cruzeiro 2-1, coming from behind , at Mineirão Stadium in Belo Horizonte. The result moved Ceará up to ninth place with 21 points and reinforced the fans' optimism for this Sunday's match.


FLAMENGO LEADS THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Ceará's victory over Cruzeiro was also beneficial for Flamengo , which retook the championship lead with a 1-0 victory over Atlético-MG , thanks to a goal from Léo Ortiz, at the Maracanã. Flamengo heads into this round with 36 points and faces another important test away from home to maintain its top spot.

WHERE TO WATCH CEARÁ X FLAMENGO?

The match between Ceará and Flamengo will be broadcast on free-to-air television on Record TV, on YouTube via CazéTV, and also on Premiere via pay-per-view. Kick-off is at 6:30 PM at Arena Castelão. Coach Filipe Luís will field a full complement of players, ensuring the Brasileirão remains a priority over the Copa do Brasil.


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