Cuca wants former Flamengo player at Atlético-MG - says portal

The “Clássico dos Milhões” promises to shake up the 24th round of the Brazilian Championship . At completely different moments in the table, Flamengo and Vasco face each other this Sunday (21), at 5:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã.

TEAMS SITUATION

Flamengo arrives in high spirits. The team, currently the sole leader of the Brasileirão with 50 points, is coming off a 2-0 victory over Juventude and also defeated Estudiantes-ARG 2-1 in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals.

Vasco faces the opposite situation. With just 23 points, the Cruzmaltino started the round one point above the relegation zone . In the last game, they were leading Ceará until the final minutes, but conceded an equalizer at São Januário, increasing the pressure on the team.

WHERE TO WATCH

The match will be broadcast on different platforms of Grupo Globo, such as TV Globo itself (open network) with Luis Roberto, Maestro Júnior and Roger Flores, Premiere (pay-per-view) hosted by Luiz Carlos Jr., Lédio Carmona and Grafite, as well as GE TV (YouTube).

PROBABLE LINEUPS

Flamengo: Rossi; Emerson Royal, Leo Ortiz, Leo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas (Viña); De La Cruz (Jorginho), Saul and Arrascaeta; Luiz Araujo (Plata), Pedro and Samuel Lino. Coach: Filipe Luis.

Vasco: Leo Jardim; Paulo Henrique, Robert Renan, Lucas Freitas and Puma Rodríguez; Matthew Carvalho, Cauan Barros and Philippe Coutinho; Rayan, Nuno Moreira and Vegetti (David). Coach: Fernando Diniz.

SHORTAGES AND DOUBTS

At Flamengo, coach Filipe Luís is expected to field a full-strength squad , even with the Libertadores final on Thursday . The only question mark is regarding Jorginho, who could be rested. Up front, the battle is between Luiz Araújo and Gonzalo Plata.

At Vasco, Lucas Piton and Tchê Tchê remain in the medical department. Puma Rodríguez is expected to remain at left-back, while Hugo Moura is expected to play in midfield . In attack, Vegetti's continued presence is uncertain due to criticism from the fans, which could open up a spot for David.

ARBITRATION

• Referee: Rafael Rodrigo Klein (RS)
• Assistants: Rafael da Silva Alves (RS) and Maira Mastella Moreira (RS)
• VAR: Caio Max Augusto Vieira (GO)

Corinthians continues to eye the transfer market to strengthen its squad for next season . Prevented from registering players during this transfer window due to FIFA's transfer ban, the club only secured the arrival of Vitinho and is already planning for the future with another former Flamengo player in its sights.

One name that has returned to the table is Gabriel Barbosa, known as Gabigol, currently Kaio Jorge's backup at Cruzeiro. The former Flamengo striker, who had already been targeted by Corinthians earlier this year , has been linked again this week.

POSITION OF CRUZEIRO AND GABIGOL

Despite behind-the-scenes discussions, Cruzeiro's SAF owner, Pedro Lourenço (Pedrinho BH), has no intention of negotiating the player. Even so, according to journalist Samir Carvalho of the Café do Setorista channel, Gabigol made his position clear: the 29-year-old striker would be "dying to wear the Corinthians jersey" in 2026 .

For the deal to move forward, however, Cruzeiro would need to release the funds. Corinthians, facing financial difficulties, would be unlikely to be able to afford the termination fee , and they are currently facing a transfer ban.

GABIGOL AT FLAMENGO

Former Flamengo player Gabigol left Rio de Janeiro at the end of 2024 after losing his place, despite being instrumental in historic victories such as the 2019 and 2022 Copa Libertadores , scoring goals in both finals. A national idol, the striker is now trying to rebuild his career in Belo Horizonte.

Striker Lincoln, revealed by Flamengo, is once again free on the market . At 24 years old, the player terminated his contract with Athletic-MG, after four months without playing . The termination was made official this Friday (19), in the CBF's Daily Information Bulletin (BID).

His last appearance on the field was on May 12th, in the final minutes of a Série B match against Botafogo-SP . Since then, he hasn't received any new opportunities and has been left out of the coaching staff's plans. His last goal had come in April, against CRB. The arrival of Portuguese coach Rui Costa further reduced his chances, resulting in a low-key stint at the Minas Gerais club.

FROM THE PROMISE AT FLAMENGO TO THE SEARCH FOR A NEW BEGINNING

A product of Flamengo 's youth academy, Lincoln quickly earned a place in the first team. He won major titles, including two Brazilian championships, the 2019 Copa Libertadores , the Recopa Sudamericana, and the Supercopa do Brasil, totaling 63 appearances, eight goals, and three assists for the club.

After leaving the club in 2020, he moved to Vissel Kobe in Japan, where he remained for three seasons . In 2022, he played for Cruzeiro, being part of the Serie B championship-winning squad. More recently, he played for SCR Altach in Austria before returning to Brazil to play for Athletic Club.

Uncertain future

Now without a club, Lincoln is seeking a new destination to revive his career. While still young, the striker carried the label of a promising prospect at Flamengo, having risen to the professional level alongside Vini Jr., and he hopes to find his place again to regain consistency and confidence on the field.