
Soccer
13 Mar 2024 | 07:12 |
Nicolás De La Cruz arrived at Flamengo in December 2023. The midfielder arrived, took over the starting role and fell into the good graces of the Nation Rubro Negra. The Uruguayan, who is one of the highlights of Mais Querido, revealed how he prefers to be called and which leg he prefers when kicking.
"On a daily basis, they call me in the most comfortable way. But when They ask me if it's hers. No, Nico. Nico is better. They even called me Diego, my first name is Diego. Nicolás, no. Nico. Nico for me is better, it's always been Nico. If they say Diego, I don't even look, it's not for me. Arrasca is already in Arrasca, so Dela, no. I prefer Nico", said Nicolás de la Cruz, in an interview this Monday (11) for 'FlaTV'.
PREFERENCE OF PERNA
De La Cruz has shown Tite that he has vision of the game. In addition to his creativity, the Uruguayan also has ease in touching with both legs. In this way, the player revealed his preference and highlighted that he continues trying to improve during training at Ninho do Urubu.
"I don't consider myself ambidextrous. It's a bit difficult for me with my left (laughs). But I always try keep improving day by day. There's training from the ground up, today I'm going to try to do everything with my left: control, pass... Something personal, like a child. My physical quality was always not strong, so I tried to be a little better. And minimize the defects, in my case due to height and strength. But since I was a child I had this mentality, to improve with my left foot to take advantage", concluded the Uruguayan midfielder.
FOCUS ON THE NEXT MATCH
After revealing his personal tastes, Nicolás De La Cruz joins the cast of Flamengoto continue preparing for the semi-final second leg against Fluminense. The game will be next Saturday (16), at 9pm, at Maracanã.
The striker is one of coach Filipe Luís's absolute starters at Mengão and could be left out during the FIFA Date due to the call-up
05 Out 2025 | 08:30 |
The Ecuadorian National Team released this Saturday (4) the list of players called up for the next FIFA Date, but a big name was left out : Gonzalo Plata, Flamengo striker, was not called up by coach Sebastián Beccacece . As a result, the player will not participate in the friendlies against the United States and Mexico.
A starter for much of the national team's recent cycle, Plata has been included from the start in six of Ecuador's last ten games . His absence, therefore, is seen internally as a one-off rather than a permanent loss of place.
Among the players playing in Brazil, only Alan Franco (Atlético-MG) and Félix Torres (Corinthians) appear on Beccacece's list . Therefore, coach Filipe Luís will be able to count on the striker for training during the break.
Ecuador takes the field on Friday (10) to face the United States in Texas. Afterwards, the team travels to Zapopan, Mexico, where they face the home team on Tuesday (14). Both matches will be friendly matches.
The news was received calmly at Ninho do Urubu. So far, no Flamengo player has been called up for international commitments. Therefore, Filipe Luís will be able to count on the full squad for the classic against Botafogo , which will be played on Wednesday (15), for the Brasileirão.
A Mengão product, the striker scored two goals in the Merengues' 3-1 victory over Villarreal and helped the team sleep at the top of the tournament.
05 Out 2025 | 07:45 |
Real Madrid recovered from their defeat in the derby against Atlético de Madrid and returned to winning ways in La Liga this Saturday (4). Playing at the Santiago Bernabéu, the merengue team beat Villarreal 3-1 , on an inspired night for Vini Jr , who scored two goals and had an emotional celebration with an “I love you” for the cameras.
Xabi Alonso's team completely dominated the match, imposing their rhythm from the start and turning home advantage into an advantage. Villarreal held out as long as they could, but ultimately succumbed to the Brazilian's talent . Mikautadze pulled one back for the visitors, and Mbappé sealed the victory.
Playing at home, Real Madrid demonstrated its technical superiority and controlled the attack throughout the first half . Villarreal, on the other hand, opted for a defensive posture, trying to exploit fast counterattacks.
Even so, the home side had the best chances . Tchouaméni missed a clear header from a Vini Jr. cross, and young Mastantuono also missed two good opportunities. On the other side, Oluwaseyi had Villarreal's best chance, but Courtois made a crucial save.
In the first minute of the second half, Vini Jr. demonstrated why he's one of the key players in Real Madrid's attack. The Brazilian received a pass from Éder Militão on the left, cut inside with his signature move, dribbled past Mouriño, and finished with aplomb . The ball deflected off Comesaña before ending up in the back of the net: 1-0 Real Madrid.
The goal completely destabilized Villarreal. Without a fightback, the visitors watched Real Madrid grow even more. In the 22nd minute, Rafa Marín brought down Vini Jr. in the box. The number 7 himself converted the penalty and extended the lead to 2-0 .
Despite being cornered, Villarreal still managed to pull one back in the 27th minute, with Mikautadze taking a shot from outside the box that beat Courtois. But their hope was short-lived. Four minutes later, Vini Jr. was decisive again: he was brought down by Mouriño, who received a red card , leaving the visiting team with ten men.
Real Madrid continued to press. Vini Jr. nearly scored a third in the 33rd minute, but goalkeeper Tenas saved. Two minutes later, Villarreal made a mistake in their clearance, Mbappé exchanged passes with Brahim Díaz, and the shot went into the net , making it 3-1 at the Bernabéu.
With the victory, Real Madrid reaffirms its strength at home and maintains its pursuit of the top of La Liga , while Vini Jr continues to collect decisive performances and strengthen his status as the absolute protagonist of the Merengue team.
The steering wheel is a request from coach Jorge Sampaoli to the Galo board and can return to the club he was at before heading to Mengão
04 Out 2025 | 21:00 |
Flamengo has already outlined the criteria for negotiating midfielder Allan in the next transfer window. Despite gaining more market share under Filipe Luís, the player remains under surveillance and could leave the club in January 2026. The board, however, has no intention of facilitating his departure.
The club has established that it will only accept proposals starting at R$34.4 million , an amount that represents 80% of the investment made with Atlético-MG in 2023. Furthermore, any transaction must be made with payment in cash or with bank guarantees considered safe by the board.
The measure aims to avoid financial risks in transactions with long terms or conditional clauses. Flamengo believes Allan still has a market and can generate financial returns , but demands that the negotiation be transparent and immediate.
Behind the scenes, coach Jorge Sampaoli, currently at Atlético-MG, has emerged as one of the main players interested in signing Allan again . The Argentine was responsible for requesting the midfielder's signing in 2023, when he was managing Flamengo , and now he welcomes a reunion with Galo for the 2026 season.
This season, Allan has played 33 matches, without scoring or providing any assists . Still, he regained his place under Filipe Luís after a start marked by criticism from the fans. Internally, he is seen as a useful, but not indispensable, asset to the squad.
The last transfer window, which closed in September, was a busy one for Flamengo, bringing in players like Saúl Ñíguez, Emerson Royal, and Samuel Lino . The next transfer window will open in January, when Allan can officially be traded.
Until a concrete offer arrives, the midfielder remains part of the Flamengo squad and is expected to be used until the end of the season . His future, however, will depend on the clubs' interest and ability to meet Flamengo's financial demands.