Soccer

NBA champion reveals admiration for Vini Jr, ex-Flamengo: "A good friend"

Boston Celtics player Jaylen Brown was named the best player in the last finals of the world's top basketball league and reveals his affection for the former Mengão player

NBA star Jaylen Brown doesn't hide his admiration for Vini Jr, ex-Flamengo - Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
NBA star Jaylen Brown doesn't hide his admiration for Vini Jr, ex-Flamengo - Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

25 Mar 2025 | 10:09 |

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Boston Celtics point guard and current NBA champion Jaylen Brown was asked about someone he admires and didn't hesitate to mention Vini Jr. , a star revealed by Flamengo and a standout at Real Madrid .


"Someone I look up to? A good friend of mine is Vini Jr. He doesn't speak English that well, but this summer I got to go to Brazil , experience his culture and what it's like to be him. He plays in Madrid and has a lot of the same issues that happen in the United States around racism and things like that. For him to come from Brazil and be able to represent not only his country, but South America as well... and I think he's doing it with class," Brown said.


Visit to Brazil and friendship with Vini Jr.


In July 2023, Jaylen Brown was in Rio de Janeiro to participate in the charity auction for Vinicius Jr., held at the Copacabana Palace. During the event, the Celtics player spoke about his friendship with the Brazilian forward.

"This is my first time in Rio. Vini and I became friends because we have a similar desire to try to help our community and we advocate for the same causes. I'm happy my brother invited me to come. I love seeing guys doing great things in their communities and trying to make the world a better place. It's the same thing I'm trying to do in the United States , in Boston. Who knows, maybe one day Vini will come to Boston so we can celebrate together too," Brown told CazéTV.


Meeting in the NBA with Vini Jr.

Last NBA season, Jaylen Brown and Vinicius Junior met during the classic between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers . On that occasion, the Brazilian exchanged jerseys with Brown and also with stars such as LeBron James and Anthony Davis .

Vini Jr.'s next game

Vini Jr. takes to the field this Tuesday (24), at 9 pm, in the classic between Brazil and Argentina , at the Monumental de Núñez, in Buenos Aires.


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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