Soccer
01 Nov 2024 | 19:32 |
0
The coach of the Brazilian national team, Dorival Júnior, expressed dissatisfaction with the result of this year's Ballon d'Or award, in which Brazilian striker Vinicius Júnior finished in second place. In direct statements, Dorival emphasized that, despite respecting the winning player, Vinicius' performance last season deserved higher recognition. The statement brought up a debate about evaluation criteria, as the Real Madrid player was one of the most influential on the field, with a decisive participation in goals and assists.
A HEADACHE TO SOLVE
The Bola de Gold, awarded by France magazine Football, is one of the most prestigious individual awards of world football and attracts attention and discussions with each edition. This year, the achievement was awarded to an athlete whose statistics are also remarkable, but for Dorival Júnior, Vinicius Júnior would have played a more impactful role, considering his intense and crucial performance in the main competitions of the season. “Nothing against whoever ended up winning the award. However, the work that Vini did should have received different attention,” highlighted Dorival, stressing that the decision was "unfair" for a player who showed quality, intensity and an essential contribution to the Madrid team.
In Dorival's vision, Vinicius Júnior presented numbersand performances that place him as a of the most complete athletes today. His constant offensive presence, combined with his ability to decide games at critical moments, were characteristics that Dorival believes were underestimated in the award. He mentioned that, for an elite athlete like Vinicius, recognition by the Ballon d'Or would be deserved after a season in which he stood out as a key player in winning vital points and in the team's technical evolution. “If there was a decisive, acute and lethal athlete last season, it was him,” stated the National Team coach, emphasizing that the attacker's performance on the field goes beyond conventional statistics, including dribbling, speed and a constant threat to the opponent.
Dorival Júnior's support for the Brazilian player becomes even more relevant in the context of the Brazilian team. The coach's leadership reinforces the trust placed in Vinicius Júnior, not just as an individual talent, but as a strategic and essential player for the next international competitions. For many analysts, Dorival's vision indicates that the Seleção should build its offensive scheme around Vinicius' skills, making the most of the potential that the athlete showed at clubs and in national squads.
THE PLAYER MUCH MORE EFFICIENT
Dorival Júnior's criticisms also highlight a frequently discussed point in football: the award criteria. The Ballon d'Or decision is not always in line with popular opinion or performance indices. Several factors are analyzed, such as titles won, performance in prominent competitions and even more subjective aspects, such as the player's popularity. However, for Dorival, Vinicius Júnior's last season was proof of his technical ability and importance on the global football scene, positioning him among today's greats.
The red-and-black fans sell out tickets in record time for the match against Grêmio at Maracanã, reinforcing the expectation of a full house in the decisive clash
28 Ago 2025 | 21:15 |
0
Flamengo announced this Thursday (28) that there are no more tickets available for the duel against Grêmio , next Sunday (31), for the Brazilian Championship. The expectation is more than 60 thousand fans at Maracanã, a scenario that promises to transform the stadium into a cauldron to push the Rio team in search of another victory in the national competition.
The match is considered crucial for both teams. Mengão, the outright leader with 46 points, is looking to extend its lead over Palmeiras, second with 42, and Cruzeiro , third with 41. Cruzeiro, meanwhile, sees the match as a chance to react and halt the Rio de Janeiro team's momentum.
More than 60,000 tickets were made available, and approximately 65,000 people are expected to attend Maracanã, including free tickets. Tickets ranged from R$80 in the South section to R$500 in Maracanã Mais. All tickets were sold five days in advance.
The last time the team played at the stadium was in the 8-0 rout of Vitória , on a Monday night. Even at the unusual time, more than 60,000 fans showed up to support the team.
Flamengo 's likely starting lineup is expected to retain the same core from the last game. Thus, Filipe Luís is expected to field: Rossi, Varela, Léo Pereira, Léo Ortiz, Ayrton Lucas, Jorginho, Saúl, Arrascaeta, Plata, Samuel Lino, and Pedro.
The defender of the Mais Querido appeared at the Barra da Tijuca Court in a hearing about his children and denied failing to fulfill his obligations as a father.
28 Ago 2025 | 20:38 |
0
Flamengo defender Léo Pereira was face to face with his ex-wife, Tainá Castro, in a hearing held this Thursday (28), at the Barra da Tijuca Forum, in Rio de Janeiro. The judicial meeting dealt with matters related to the former couple's children, Matteo, 4, and Helena, 5.
After leaving the scene, the player stated in an interview with the Leo Dias website that the process is proceeding smoothly and emphasized that he is upholding his parental responsibilities. " It was very calm, easy. It was just a hearing to discuss the children's issues. Today we only talk about the children. We have a good relationship, I've never failed to provide for the children, I'm very calm, the truth will always come out," the athlete stated.
Earlier, the LeoDias website revealed that Léo Pereira was given 72 hours to pay overdue child support. Failure to comply could result in arrest. The player has publicly denied this claim.
The marriage between the athlete and the digital influencer ended in 2023. Currently, Tainá Castro is married to fellow player Éder Militão, with whom she has a 3-year-old daughter , Cecília, the result of the Real Madrid defender's relationship with Karoline Lima, Léo Pereira's current girlfriend.
Hours before the hearing, Tainá Castro took to social media to report an unusual act by her ex-husband. According to her, Léo Pereira picked up their son Matteo to take him to soccer practice, a gesture that doesn't happen often.
The 35-year-old referee from Minas Gerais has already registered more than 360 infractions in 12 Serie A matches and tends to chop up games, although he issues cards within the national average.
28 Ago 2025 | 18:26 |
0
The clash between Flamengo and Grêmio , scheduled for this Sunday (31), at 4 pm, at Maracanã, for the Brazilian Championship, will be conducted by Paulo Zanovelli . The 35-year-old referee from Minas Gerais is refereeing a game for the Mais Querido for the second time this season . In the first opportunity, against Mirassol, his performance generated criticism due to the excessive stoppages.
In that match, 36 fouls were called, 23 committed by the Red-Blacks and 13 by the opponents. The referee's style worries fans and experts, as the match could lose intensity and effective ball play.
The numbers confirm the trend. In 12 Brasileirão 2025 matches, Zanovelli called 362 fouls, an average of 30.17 fouls per match. This rate is considered high, especially compared to the Premier League , where the average is around 20 fouls per game.
Despite this, the issuing of cards hasn't kept pace with the same intensity. The referee has handed out 54 yellow cards so far, resulting in an average of 4.5 warnings per game , within the national league standard.
Maracanã is preparing for a big party next Sunday (30). With all tickets sold out, the expectation is for more than 60 thousand people present at the stadium . The Nation will be in force after the great 8-0 victory over the victory in the last round.
SUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER
See previous
