
Soccer
04 Nov 2024 | 19:44 |
Recently, there were rumors that Nicolás De La Cruzcould be dissatisfied at Flamengo and that a possible return negotiation to River Plate would be underway. This information was quickly refuted by the player's staff. According to an official statement, “there are no negotiations with River” and the player is fully focused on his goals at Flamengo, always seeking to contribute effectively to the Rio team.
In addition to denying the negotiations, the player's staff reinforced that De La Cruz is not unmotivated with Flamengo. Instead, the athlete's only concern is the desire to be able to help the team even more. According to his representatives, the midfielder is committed to maintaining his performance and continuing to act with maximum dedication, looking for opportunities to contribute to the club's goals this season.
DE LA CRUZ DOESN'T WANT TO LEAVE THE CLUB
To clarify the positioning of the player, the team of De La Cruzmade a point to detail your commitment in a statement. According to the staff, “the only thing that saddens Nico is not being able to help more”. The statement highlights the feeling of responsibility and the desire to continue helping Flamengo on the field, reinforcing that the athlete remains motivated and committed to his journey with the club.
Nicolás De La Cruz arrived at Flamengo as a strategic signing, with the expectation of adding quality to the midfield. Since then, the Uruguayan midfielder has dedicated himself to meeting the expectations of the board and fans, showing consistent football. Even with some difficulties on the field, the player has demonstrated professionalism and commitment to the red-black club's objectives.
Although River Plate has been touted as a possible destination for De La Cruz, his representatives have denied any ongoing talks or negotiations. The player's intention is to remain at Flamengo and further strengthen its participation in the club. This positioning confirms the midfielder's commitment to helping the team achieve its goals, reiterating that he is satisfied and motivated with his journey in Brazilian football.
With a poor performance away from the field, the Argentine team tries to stop Mengão's momentum in the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals
16 Set 2025 | 18:59 |
Estudiantes faces Flamengo this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm, at Maracanã, for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores . The Argentine club arrives under pressure due to irregular results in the season and seeks to rediscover the good football of the beginning of the year to overcome one of the strongest teams in Brazil.
In 2025, the La Plata team played 36 matches, totaling 15 wins, eight draws, and 13 losses, with 42 goals scored and 40 conceded, a success rate of just over 49%. Away from home, the record is even more challenging: in 18 away matches, they have recorded just five wins, four draws, and nine losses.
On the other hand, Flamengo has maintained a solid performance at Maracanã , where they have lost only four times this season, only two of which have come against the main team. This makes the match even more difficult for the Argentine team, which will need to overcome one of the most intense atmospheres on the continent.
While performance away from La Plata is a concern, Estudiantes ' home record is positive. In 17 matches, they've won nine, drawn four, and lost four . This home strength could be an asset in the return leg, but first, the team needs to contain Flamengo 's momentum in Rio de Janeiro.
A traditional Libertadores champion, Estudiantes shares the title with River Plate as the most successful Argentine team in the competition and demonstrates experience in knockout stages. In the current edition, they lost only two matches in the group stage, against Universidad de Chile and Botafogo. In the round of 16, they eliminated Cerro Porteño after a 1-0 away win and a 0-0 draw in the return leg in La Plata.
Rubro-Negro begins its quest for a spot in the Copa Libertadores semifinals with sold-out tickets and a massive fan presence; the team has returns
16 Set 2025 | 18:35 |
Flamengo begins its journey towards the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores this Thursday (18) . The first leg against Estudiantes (ARG) will be held at Maracanã, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), and will have a full house.
All tickets were sold in advance, guaranteeing an estimated attendance of around 69,000. The expectation is that the Red-Black Nation will fill every section of the stadium , transforming the Maracanã into a cauldron to push the team toward victory.
The team will have important reinforcements. Striker Bruno Henrique and full-back Varela , who were absent last Sunday (14) against Juventude, in the Brazilian Championship , trained normally this Tuesday (16) and should be available to the coach again.
Despite their returns, Rubro-Negro will remain without midfielder Jorginho, full-back Alex Sandro, and defensive midfielder Pulgar , who are still recovering. The likely lineup for the game includes: Rossi; Royal (Varela), Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, Ayrton Lucas (Viña); Saúl, De La Cruz (Allan), Arrascaeta; Plata, Samuel Lino, and Pedro.
Fans will be able to watch the match live on ESPN (pay TV) and Disney+ (streaming). The second leg will be held next week in La Plata, Argentina, and will determine who advances to the semifinals.
Signed at zero cost, the Spaniard quickly gained a place in Mais Querido, receiving praise from the Spanish press for his recent performances.
16 Set 2025 | 18:12 |
Despite being signed only in the last transfer window, Saúl Ñíguez has already become one of the most important players in Flamengo's squad . The Spanish midfielder arrived at the club on a free transfer and quickly established himself in the starting lineup.
Spanish newspaper Marca highlighted the athlete's rapid adaptation. " The former Atlético de Madrid player arrived at Flamengo with the mission of becoming an important player and maintaining a prominent role in the starting lineup . His adaptation didn't take long," the publication reported.
According to the publication, Saúl is experiencing "a second youth" in Brazilian football and has already established himself as a key midfielder. Despite only registering one assist in eight games , he has played a more defensive role in Filipe Luís's team.
In the victory over Juventude, in the Brazilian Championship , Saúl started alongside Allan in midfield and provided the assist for Arrascaeta's goal in the 31st minute of the first half.
Flamengo returns to the field this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time) , at Maracanã, to face Estudiantes, for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. Saúl Ñíguez should once again be among the starters for the red-black team.