BRAZ DECLARES THAT IT WAS NOT THE FIRST ATTEMPT TO HIRE LUIZ ARAÚJO

Flamengo will have at least one change in the starting lineup to face Grêmio , this Sunday (31), at 4 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the 22nd round of the Brazilian Championship. Without Alex Sandro, who is recovering from an injury to his left calf, the place on the side will go to Ayrton Lucas .

JORGINHO IS DOUBTFUL IN THE MIDFIELD

In midfield, Jorginho's condition is a concern. The midfielder is experiencing muscle discomfort and has not participated in training with the rest of the group throughout the week . He continues to perform specific activities at Ninho do Urubu and will be re-evaluated this Saturday during Filipe Luís's final training session before the match.

Since his Club World Cup debut, Jorginho has become a key player in the red-and-black squad. If he isn't cleared by the medical department, Allan and Evertton Araújo appear as the most likely options, while De La Cruz is a potential outsider. Pulgar remains out of the plans due to surgery on his right foot.

FLAMENGO'S PROBABLE LINEUP

With the confirmed absences and the doubt about the presence of the Italian , coach Filipe Luís should send to the field a Flamengo with: Rossi; Varela, Léo Ortiz (Danilo), Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; Allan (Jorginho), Saúl and Arrascaeta; Plata, Samuel Lino and Pedro.

FLAMENGO REMAINS LEADING THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Rubro-Negro heads into the 22nd round as the sole leader of the Brasileirão, with 46 points , two ahead of second-place Cruzeiro, who still have a game in hand. After the match against Grêmio, the competition will be suspended for 13 days due to the FIFA International Day.

Just under two months after leaving Flamengo for Zenit (RUS), midfielder Gerson could change clubs again . According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Al Ittihad (SAU) has begun talks to try to sign the player, who is considered a priority in the final stretch of the Saudi Arabian transfer window.

HOW MUCH DID ZENIT PAY FLAMENGO?

In July, Zenit paid €25 million (approximately R$160 million) to pay Gerson's release clause. Flamengo therefore did not participate in negotiations, only releasing the player after the full payment of the contract clause. So far, no agreement has been reached. The Saudi club is trying to convince the Russians to release the player , who was recently signed for a multi-million dollar fee.

HOW WAS GERSON'S DEPARTURE FROM FLAMENGO ANNOUNCED?

On July 4, the club published an official statement confirming the departure of the then captain, highlighting that the decision came from the athlete himself, who submitted a resignation and unilateral termination request , paid by the Russians, without having any negotiation with Mais Querido.

On social media, Flamengo was direct and thanked the midfielder for the time he defended Manto: "Clube de Regatas do Flamengo announces the end of the contract with the athlete Gerson . The Mais Querido thanks him for the time he defended Manto and wishes the player good luck."

GERSON'S NUMBERS IN HIS SECOND SPENT AT FLAMENGO

Upon returning to the club, Gerson played 144 matches, scored 12 goals, and won four titles . He also took on the captain's armband and established himself as one of the team's key leaders. At Zenit, however, the midfielder has only played six games so far.

Flamengo will have an important novelty on the field this Sunday (31), when it faces Grêmio in the 22nd round of the Brasileirão . The club will now display the name of Betano, the new master sponsor of the Manto Sagrado, in the center of its uniform .

Until then, the sports betting company had already signed a contract with Rubro-Negro, but the shirt was only being used with the phrase “A Nação Confia” , in reference to the agreement that had not yet been officially activated.

CONTRACT COULD REACH R$ 1 BILLION

The partnership between Flamengo and Betano runs until 2028 and provides for R$268.5 million per season. With bonuses included for winning titles and achieving goals, the contract could reach R$1 billion over the life of the contract .

In addition to the uniform display, the company is preparing a grand celebration at Maracanã Stadium to mark the official start of the partnership. 3D mosaics are planned in the stands and a concert by singer Alexandre Pires , promising a special atmosphere for the brand's debut at Manto Sagrado.

FLAMENGO'S NEXT COMMITMENT

Flamengo returns to the field this Sunday (31), at 4 pm (Brasília time), against Grêmio, at Maracanã. The match will be broadcast on Rede Globo, on open TV (except for São Paulo), and on Premiere , on pay-per-view.