LIKE THIS? EX-FLAMENGO PUNCHES OPPONENT IN BRASILEIRÃO GAME

Belgian player Kevin De Bruyne, one of Manchester City's main names, made scathing criticisms of the new format of the Club Super World Cup, a competition that will be played in 2025 and will feature the participation of 32 teams, including Brazilians Flamengo, Fluminense and Palmeiras. The tournament, which will have a similar format to the World Cup, did not please the player due to the overload of games and the impact on the athletes' calendar.

In a press conference, De Bruyne expressed his dissatisfaction with the short interval between the end of the Club World Cup and the start of the Premier League season. "The problem will come when the Club World Cup ends. We will only have three weeks between the final and the first round of the Premier League. There are three weeks to take a vacation and prepare to play more than 80 games. Maybe it will work this year, but it will be a problem the following year", warned the player.

The Belgian midfielder's concern extends to the increasing number of matches that athletes need to play in various competitions throughout the season, affecting performance so much regarding the physical well-being of the players.

LACK OF SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

De Bruyne also criticized FIFA and UEFA for not listening to the concerns of the players and their associations: “The PFA (Professional Players Association) in England and unions in other countries tried to find solutions. The problem is that UEFA and FIFA play more matches, and we tried to say something, but no solution was found. They don't care. It seems that money speaks louder than players", he said.

COMPETITION DEFINED FOR 2025

FIFA has already announced the dates of the Club Super World Cup, which will begin on June 15, 2025 and will conclude on July 13 of the same year. The competition promises to bring together great teams from different continents, providing an unprecedented format with 32 participants.

Brazilian clubs Flamengo, Fluminense and Palmeiras guaranteed a place in the tournament as they were the last champions of the Copa Libertadores da América, with Flamengo winning the title in 2022.

Last Wednesday (4), Flamengo held the seventh edition of the Sangue Rubro-negro campaign, at the Gávea headquarters. Hemorio's partner team was at the Gávea headquarters, from 10am to 3pm, collecting blood in the playground's party room. Athletes, employees and associates were able to donate and make a difference: each bag of blood can save up to four lives.

In addition to encouraging blood donation, the campaign also sought to raise awareness about the importance of this act of generosity and how it can save lives. “The partnership with Flamengo Social Responsibility is very important. More than attracting donors, this action seeks to awaken civic and social sentiment, ensure greater dissemination and demystify fears. It is an extremely educational and important action for maintaining stocks”, declared Dr. Renata de Almeida, a Hemorio doctor present at the action.

Blood donation is essential for health units to continue serving patients undergoing treatments and surgeries. The only way to guarantee the blood supply is through voluntary donations.

To donate blood, you must have an official identification document with photo, original or certified copy; be between 16 and 69 years old; be fed and in good health; weigh more than 50 kg; not be pregnant or breastfeeding. For more information about donating blood, visit www.hemorio.rj.gov.br or call 0800 282 0708. Hemorio is located at Rua Frei Caneca, nº 8, in the center of Rio. Donate blood, donate life!

Pedro is standing out in the 2024 Brazilian Championship as the player with the highest number of direct participation in goals. With 11 goals scored and 5 assists distributed, he leads the ranking of offensive contributions in the competition, totaling 16 decisive actions for Flamengo so far. This performance reaffirms Pedro's crucial role in the red-black team's attack, highlighting his efficiency both in finishing and in constructing plays.

Just behind Pedro, in second place, appears Estêvão, another highlight of the team. championship. The player, who has accumulated 15 direct participations in goals, with 8 goals scored and 7 assists, has been one of the main people responsible for boosting his team's offensive sector. Estêvão's versatility, capable of finishing with precision and also serving his teammates with decisive passes, places him as one of the most complete players in the competition.

FLAMENGO HAS A GUNNER AND WAITER

In third place, Matheus Pereira appears with 11 direct contributions, 6 goals and 5 assists. Just like Pedro and Estêvão, Matheus Pereira has been a fundamental player for his team, adding value both in creating and finishing plays. His ability to position himself strategically on the field has made it easier to score goals and create opportunities for his teammates.

Pedro, with his leadership in the ranking of goals and assists, stands out not only for his statistics, but also for the impact that his actions have on Flamengo's results. Pedro's ability to finish plays with precision is evident, but his understanding of the game goes beyond numbers, contributing significantly to the team's overall performance. Each of his 16 direct goal contributions was decisive in key moments of the championship, and their importance goes far beyond what the numbers might suggest.
Estêvão, despite being slightly behind Pedro in terms of total participation, shows an excellent combination of offensive skills. With 8 goals and 7 assists, Estêvão not only knows how to finish plays, but also understands the right moment to make the pass that will result in a goal. This demonstrates a keen vision of the game and an ability to adapt to what the match requires, whether to score or create.