With former Flamengo on the field, know where to watch and Real Madrid x Real Sociedad time

Flamengo continues to make money in the current transfer window . After multi-million dollar negotiations involving Wesley and Gerson, the club secured another sum with the transfer of a longtime acquaintance: defender Willyan Rocha, who played for the Flamengo youth team in 2015 .

A standout at CSKA (Russia), Willyan has agreed to join Al-Jazira in the United Arab Emirates in a deal valued at around €5 million (R$31.6 million). Under FIFA's solidarity mechanism, which guarantees compensation to clubs that train athletes, Flamengo will receive approximately 0.5% of the amount, equivalent to around R$170,000 at the current exchange rate.

In addition to Flamengo, Grêmio and Votuporanguense, teams Willyan also played for in the youth ranks, will be entitled to small portions of the deal. This isn't the first defender Mengão has received through this mechanism after his sale this season . With the negotiation between Paris FC and Porto for Otávio, the Mais Querido also paid out a significant amount.

POSSIBLE NEW EARNINGS

At 30 years old, the defender signed a contract with Al-Jazira until mid-2027. If he is negotiated again before the end of the contract, Flamengo will once again profit from the solidarity mechanism, although a negotiation after the age of 30 is considered rarer .

FLAMENGO'S CURRENT DEFENSE

Currently, the red-and-black defense has six main options: Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, and Danilo as the more experienced players , plus the youngsters Cleiton, João Victor, and Iago Teodoro, who are part of the professional squad. The "Leos" duo has been a regular starter due to their seniority and Danilo's injury.

The relationship between Vinícius Júnior and Real Madrid appears to be strained . Having scored decisive goals in two Champions League finals, the Brazilian now finds his starting spot at the Santiago Bernabéu in doubt . Despite this, club president Florentino Pérez continues to express confidence in the Flamengo youth product.

The Athletic on Vini Jr at Real Madrid: "He needs to evolve and will no longer be irreplaceable"

According to the renowned portal The Athletic, which interviewed members of the coaching staff, people close to the player and club employees — all anonymous — there is an internal perception that the striker needs to improve his performance .

"A source said that Vinícius Júnior needs to evolve and that he will no longer be irreplaceable if he continues playing the same way. This change in status would not be difficult for teammates, fans, and the team to assimilate ," reported journalist Mario Cortegana.

CHANGE OF COACH AND ADAPTATION

A trusted man of Carlo Ancelotti, Vini now works under Xabi Alonso. The transition began with a frustrating episode: in the Club World Cup defeat to PSG , the Brazilian was deployed on the right, while Mbappé played on the left wing and Gonzalo García played as a center forward.

Even so, Alonso's first impression of the number 7 was positive. "I didn't know Vini. He's a very passionate player; I like having that kind of athlete . The best way to use him and his ideal position is what we need to figure out now. What I've seen in the first few days is that he has a very good heart," the coach declared.

IMPRESSIVE NUMBERS

Despite the tense moment, Vinícius Júnior maintains an impressive record at Real Madrid . In 322 appearances, he has 106 goals and 86 assists, including two Champions League-clinching strikes in the 2022 and 2024 finals.

Decisive as usual, Bruno Henrique scored the goal that guaranteed Flamengo's 1-0 victory over Internacional , this Wednesday (13), in the round of 16 of the Libertadores. For journalist Thiago Asmar, Pilhado, the number 27 reaffirms his reputation as a decisive player and is already among the greatest idols in the club's history .

Thiago Asmar: "Bruno Henrique has already surpassed Gabigol in idolatry at Flamengo"

BH GROWS IN DECISION

"It's impressive how much Bruno Henrique decides in big games , how much he takes responsibility in knockout matches , when the pressure is on, a packed Maracanã," Pilhado noted. The numbers support this analysis: in the Libertadores knockout stages alone, BH27 has 16 direct goal contributions in 21 matches—12 goals and four assists.

The journalist reinforced that BH is solidifying himself as one of the club's most important names. " He's steadily establishing himself as one of the most decisive players in Flamengo 's history. Today, Bruno Henrique is one of the most decisive players in the club's history," he added.

BRUNO HENRIQUE X GABIGOL

Undisputed idols of a generation, Bruno Henrique and Gabigol made their mark at Flamengo . Although some fans place Gabriel second only to Zico in the Flamengo pantheon , Pilhado believes that the current number 27 has already surpassed the club's former striker, now at Cruzeiro.

"In my opinion, Bruno Henrique has already surpassed Gabigol in idolatry at Flamengo. Gabigol left controversially, while Bruno Henrique stayed and continues to be decisive. He was instrumental in the Brazilian Super Cup title and, once again, this time in the Libertadores . He's a guy who, when the game is big, has to get the ball to him," he stated.

Gabigol left Flamengo after disagreements with the previous management , led by Rodolfo Landim. Without a contract renewal agreement and with declining performance, the striker signed with Cruzeiro, where he is currently a reserve.