Grassroots Soccer

Leaving? Flamengo receives proposal from Rio de Janeiro club for Shola

A standout among Mengão's under-20 players, the Nigerian may be living his last days with the Sacred Mantle and heading to Serie B.

Rio de Janeiro club Volta Redonda is trying to sign Shola, from Flamengo, on loan - Photo: Reproduction/Flamengo
Rio de Janeiro club Volta Redonda is trying to sign Shola, from Flamengo, on loan - Photo: Reproduction/Flamengo

10 Jul 2025 | 08:14 |

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With the opening of the transfer window this Thursday (10), Flamengo is moving both in the main squad and in the base. One of the names that entered the market radar was the Nigerian striker Shola, a highlight of the red-black under-20. Volta Redonda, second-to-last in Series B, sent a loan proposal for the player, but Mais Querido refused .


Despite recognizing that experience on a professional team could be valuable, the board opted to keep the striker. The main reason is the U-20 Club World Cup , in which Flamengo will face Barcelona (ESP) on August 23rd at the Maracanã. Information about Volta Redonda's interest was reported by 'BTS Sports'.


SHOLA HAS A VICTORIOUS HISTORY AND HAS ALREADY PLAYED FOR THE PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE


With a distinguished record in the youth ranks—including a World Cup title and two U-20 Libertadores titles—Shola has five appearances for Flamengo 's senior team. Four of these were in 2025, during the Campeonato Carioca , when the team used an alternative formation. His debut came in the 2024 Brasileirão, against Atlético-MG.

If loaned out, Shola would arrive at Volta Redonda with the mission of helping the team escape the relegation zone in Série B. The team has just 14 points in 15 rounds — three wins, five draws, and seven losses — and sits in 19th place, ahead only of Amazonas on goal difference.


SHOLA'S NEXT GAME WILL BE IN THE U-20S

With the loan ruled out, at least for now, Shola remains available for the under-20 team. He is expected to start this Thursday (10), at 6 pm (Brasília time), against Botafogo, in the Luso-Brasileiro, in a game valid for the penultimate round of the Brasileirão in the category . The match also marks the debut of coach Bruno Pivetti. Flamengo will have reinforcements from the professional squad: Matheus Gonçalves, Lorran, João Victor, Léo Nannetti and Joshua.



Grassroots Soccer

What time is the Flamengo vs Barcelona game for the U-20 World Cup?

Mais Querido seeks to maintain hegemony and win the tournament for the second time in front of an audience that could break the competition's record.

Flamengo will face Barcelona in the U-20 World Cup finals at the Maracanã stadium. A record crowd is expected at the stadium - photo: reproduction
Flamengo will face Barcelona in the U-20 World Cup finals at the Maracanã stadium. A record crowd is expected at the stadium - photo: reproduction

23 Ago 2025 | 13:00 |

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This Saturday (23) will be decisive for Flamengo's youth team. The red-black team faces Barcelona, from Spain, in the final of the U-20 Club World Cup , at Maracanã. Current two-time champion of the Libertadores in the category, the team also defends the world title won in 2024, when they beat Olympiacos, from Greece, 2-1, in a comeback. That year, the team was led by Filipe Luís, now coach of the professional squad.


The game will be broadcast live on free-to-air TV Globo, starting at 4:30 p.m. (Brasília time). Gustavo Villani will be the commentator, with commentary from former players Maestro Júnior and Paulo Nunes, both " birds of the nest ."


A large crowd is expected. So far, around 33,000 tickets have been sold for the final , and the organizers expect to surpass the competition's all-time record, held by the match between Peñarol (URU) and Benfica (POR), with 40,000 fans. In total, 35,000 tickets were made available for the match.


PENALTIES IN CASE OF A TIE

According to tournament organizers, if the match ends in a draw after regulation time, the champion will be decided by penalty kicks, as there will be no extra time. The fans are in a state of anticipation, promising to pack the Maracanã stadium to cheer on the young athletes in pursuit of a second consecutive world title.


FLAMENGO X BARCELONA LINEUPS

Flamengo : Lucas Furtado; Daniel Sales, João Victor, Iago and Gusttavo; Fabiano, Pablo Lúcio and Matheus Gonçalves ; Lorran, Joshua and Pedro Leão. Coach: Bruno Pivetti.

Barcelona : Max Bonfill; Xavi Espart, Andrés Cuenca, Alexis Olmedo and Landry Farré; Brian Fariñas, Quin Junyent and Pedro Rodríguez; Óscar Gistau, Jan Virgili and Tommy Marqués. Coach: Belletti.


Grassroots Soccer

Flamengo vs Barcelona: Where to watch, time and probable lineups at the U-20 World Cup

Mengão faces Barça in the game where they can secure their second title in the competition; find out everything about this Saturday's clash (23)

Flamengo vs Barcelona at the U-20 World Cup: Find out where to watch, the time and the likely lineups for the game - Photo: Reproduction/Flamengo
Flamengo vs Barcelona at the U-20 World Cup: Find out where to watch, the time and the likely lineups for the game - Photo: Reproduction/Flamengo

22 Ago 2025 | 20:00 |

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Saturday (23) will be the final at Maracanã . Flamengo faces Barcelona, from Spain, in the grand final of the U-20 Club World Cup . Current two-time champion of the Libertadores in the category, Rubro-Negro also defends the world title, won in 2024, when they defeated Olympiacos (GRE) in a comeback, 2-1. In that campaign, the team was commanded by Filipe Luís, now coach of the professional squad.


If the match ends in a draw after regulation time, the title will be decided by penalties, as there is no extra time allowed in the rules. More than 25,000 tickets have already been sold for the match in Rio de Janeiro . A full house is expected for the match, with more than 35,000 tickets already on sale.


WHERE TO WATCH AND TIME


The match will be broadcast exclusively on free-to-air TV Globo . Gustavo Villani will be the commentator, with commentary from two former Flamengo players : Maestro Júnior and Paulo Nunes. Kick-off begins at 4:30 p.m. (Brasília time).

PROBABLE LINEUPS


Flamengo: Lucas Furtado; Daniel Sales, João Victor, Iago and Gusttavo; Fabiano, Pablo Lúcio and Matheus Gonçalves; Lorran, Joshua and Pedro Leão. Coach: Bruno Pivetti.

Barcelona: Max Bonfill; Xavi Espart, Andrés Cuenca, Alexis Olmedo and Landry Farré; Brian Fariñas, Quin Junyent and Pedro Rodríguez; Óscar Gistau, Jan Virgili and Tommy Marqués. Coach: Belletti.

PIVETTI PRAISES THE OPPONENT
Flamengo coach on Barcelona: "They are an extremely qualified team"

Flamengo U-20 coach Bruno Pivetti participated in Flamengo TV's MengoCast and analyzed the opponent before the final: “Barcelona is an extremely qualified team, very talented, with technical players, good reception , passing and one-on-one, as well as defensive balance, began the coach.

"Belletti did a great job last season, and the news is that he's been promoted to the B team. We've already seen their Champions League final and the semifinal against AZ Alkmaar. They're a tough team to beat, but we'll prepare ourselves to win this coveted title," the coach declared.



Grassroots Soccer

Zico invites Flamengo fans to the U-20 World Cup final

The greatest idol in the history of Mengão calls on the Nation to fill the Maracanã for the decision against Barcelona and praises both 'schools'

Zico calls on Flamengo fans for the U-20 World Cup final against Barcelona at Maracanã - Photo: Reproduction
Zico calls on Flamengo fans for the U-20 World Cup final against Barcelona at Maracanã - Photo: Reproduction

19 Ago 2025 | 20:17 |

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Flamengo is preparing to seek its second U-20 Club World Cup title . The decision will be this Saturday (23), at 4:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, against Barcelona (ESP). On the eve of the duel, Zico, the greatest idol in the red-black history, made a special appeal to the fans .


Zico on Flamengo vs. Barcelona in the U-20 World Cup: "Come cheer for the Garotos do Ninho in this U-20 final at Maracanã"


"Hello, Nation. Come cheer on the Boys of the Nest in this U-20 final at Maracanã, for the Intercontinental Cup. Flamengo will face Barcelona, two of the greatest soccer schools in the world . Tickets for this game are on sale. Buy yours," declared the Galinho, in a video posted on the club's social media.


TICKETS ON SALE


Tickets are still available for the final. Sales are available through ingresso.flamengo.com.br. So far, approximately 23,000 tickets have been sold in advance. More than 45,000 fans are expected to attend Maracanã .

HOW FLAMENGO ARRIVES

The under-20 squad began preparing for the final last Monday (18). The following day, the club released the list of related players , which includes names already known to the fans, such as Matheus Gonçalves , Joshua and Lorran, all of whom have played for the professional team.

THE PROFESSIONALS?

The top team, led by coach Filipe Luís, returns to the field this Wednesday (20) for the second game of the round of 16 of the Libertadores against Internacional, at Beira-Rio. The match is scheduled for 9:30 pm (Brasília time) and will be broadcast by Rede Globo (open TV), ESPN (closed TV) and Disney+.



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