GIVE IT MENGÃO! LÉO ORTIZ BRILHA AND FLAMENGO ASSUMES PROVISIONAL LEADERSHIP OF THE GROUP AND LIBERTADORES

Casemiro's name has once again been buzzing around Brazilian football. According to journalist Jorge Nicola, Flamengo and Palmeiras have conducted inquiries to assess the situation of the Manchester United midfielder , who is expected to end his career with the English club after the 2026 World Cup . At 33, the athlete is considered a top prospect due to his leadership, international experience, and track record in major competitions.

O Mais Querido sees Casemiro as an ideal fit for the squad: a decisive player in important matches, with international experience and a solid leadership record. The club has a tradition of investing in renowned athletes who arrive to elevate the team's competitive level , such as Filipe Luís, David Luiz, and, more recently, Jorginho.

Despite the interest, the club's board remains cautious . This is because, even if they agree to a salary reduction, the midfielder's financial position is still high by Brazilian soccer standards.

SAO PAULO CAN BE AN OBSTACLE

Casemiro also maintains a strong connection with São Paulo, the club that introduced him to football. According to Jorge Nicola, this gratitude could influence a future decision. " Casemiro has never hidden his gratitude to São Paulo, which could influence a future choice ," the journalist noted on his channel.

CONTRACT AT MANCHESTER UNITED

The midfielder's contract runs until mid-2026, but he's likely to play only one more season in England. Nicola revealed that his annual salary of approximately €11 million makes it difficult for him to stay at United, increasing the chances of him returning to Brazil or accepting offers from other markets.

Bruno Henrique and Flamengo's defense team is finalizing its strategy to appeal the STJD's punishment . The striker was suspended for 12 games and fined R$60,000. According to ge, the lawyers will file the appeal with the full court this week , focusing on two central arguments: the statute of limitations and a contradiction in the merits of the judgment.

PRESCRIPTION ARGUMENT

The defense's main argument is that the STJD Prosecutor's Office missed the legal deadline of 60 days to file the complaint. During the trial last Thursday (4), this interpretation was rejected by just 3 votes to 2 , which keeps alive the hope of a reversal in the plenary.

The point of contention is when the statute of limitations began. According to the lawyers, the countdown began on May 7, 2025, the date the investigation was opened . Since the indictment was only filed on August 1, it would be outside the deadline. "There is no way to interpret any punitive system as meaning that new evidence reopens the statute of limitations," argued lawyer Alexandre Vitorino.

The Prosecutor's Office, however, argues that the initial deadline was June 6, when it received the Federal Police report, which would have placed the charges within 60 days. Two auditors, including the chairman of the 1st Disciplinary Committee, Marcelo Rocha, agreed with the defense's argument. Rocha even stated in his vote: "When we bring this new timeframe to June [...] I think we're creating a rule that isn't in the CBJD ."

ARGUMENT FROM CONTRADICTION

In addition to the statute of limitations, the defense points to inconsistency in the decision. Bruno Henrique was charged under multiple articles (243, 243-A, 184, 191-III, and CBF regulations) , but was acquitted under article 243—which deals with causing harm to the club itself—and convicted under article 243-A, which relates to influencing the outcome of the match.

For the lawyers, the situation creates the following contradiction: "How is Bruno Henrique innocent of harming Flamengo , but guilty of influencing the outcome of the same game? " The auditors who voted for the conviction argued that, given a CBJD that was out of date with regard to sports manipulation, the best solution was to classify the conduct under the article on violation of "sports ethics."

SUSPENSIVE EFFECT MAY RELEASE THE ATTACKER

While awaiting the final ruling on the appeal, Flamengo will also request a stay of execution . Expectations are positive, as the analysis of the statute of limitations itself divided the auditors. If accepted, Bruno Henrique could be on the field next Sunday (September 14th) against Juventude in the 23rd round of the Brasileirão.

Last Thursday (4), Uruguay beat Peru 3-0 in Montevideo and confirmed their qualification for the World Cup with one round to spare in the Qualifiers . After the final whistle, Flamengo's full-back, Guillermo Varela, celebrated the result and spoke about the path to the spot.

Flamengo's Varela on Uruguay: "It was very important to qualify"

"It was a very tough year. We went through a lot. We deserved a finish like this: a 3-0 win, at home and with our fans. It was very important to qualify at home. The coach (Marcelo Bielsa) always asks the full-backs to attack, and we played offensively . Luckily, I was able to deliver. I arrived and made crosses that ended in goals. Uruguay is back where it deserves to be. We know we have the squad to fight. Our hopes are growing," said the full-back.

HIGHLIGHT IN THE VICTORY OVER PERU

Varela was instrumental in two of the Celeste's three goals. In the first half, he received a pass from Arrascaeta and crossed for Aguirre to open the scoring. In the second half, the number 13 returned to the baseline, lifted the ball to Aguirre, who this time laid it back . Arrascaeta appeared to finish with style and extend the lead.

The full-back recently revealed that he almost lost his place in the 2023 national team due to Tite's system at Flamengo , where he had little offensive freedom. Bielsa's push for him to be more aggressive in attack was crucial to his continued presence in the squad . With Filipe Luís's arrival at Flamengo, the player also began to shine, which reinforced his importance to the club and the Celeste.

NEXT COMMITMENTS

With the spot already secured, Uruguay ends its participation in the Qualifiers next Tuesday (9), against Chile, away from home. As the duel is just to fulfill the schedule, there is the possibility of Varela, Arrascaeta and Viña being spared , which would be a relief for Flamengo, who face Juventude on September 14, for the Brasileirão.