
Soccer
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In the clash between Léo Pereira and Felipe Melo, the 2024 season brought numbers that reflect the performance of both players in several key areas of the game. Based on objective statistics, we will analyze the confrontation between these two athletes and how they stood out on the field throughout the nine games played so far.
It is clear that Léo Pereira has stood out in the 2024 season, especially in terms of finishing and passing efficiency. His three goals and three decisive passes reflect his importance to the team at crucial moments of the game. Furthermore, his ability in aerial duels demonstrates his versatility in different aspects of the game.
MISTAKE OF TWO HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SEASON
On the other hand, Felipe Melo has been a fundamental player in defensive actions, registering a significant number of interventions throughout the games. His presence on the field contributes to the team's defensive solidity, although he has not yet been able to convert his contributions into goal statistics as impressive as Léo Pereira's.
Both players showed a high level of accuracy in scoring. pass, with Léo Pereira reaching 91% and Felipe Melo reaching 90% accuracy. Léo Pereira showed his superiority in aerial duels, winning 70% of them, while Felipe Melo achieved a 67% victory rate in this aspect.
The clash between Léo Pereira and Felipe Melo in the 2024 season has been scheduled for different but equally important performances for their respective teams. While Léo Pereira stands out in the offensive part of the game, Felipe Melo offers defensive solidity and leadership in midfield. Both players play crucial roles on their teams and continue to influence the outcome of games with their talent and dedication on the field.
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Without attending the squad's return and without saying goodbye to his teammates and coaching staff, the player ends his second stint at Gávea in a cold manner.
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The deal was concluded directly. Zenit, which had shown interest in strengthening its midfield, officially signed Gerson with full payment of the termination clause . The amount, 25 million euros (approximately R$146 million at the current exchange rate), was paid in cash, with no installments or pending payments.
This operation facilitated the immediate release of the athlete, who did not return to the squad on Friday. Rubro-Negro, in turn, issued a statement confirming the transfer and thanking him for his services.
The midfielder has already scheduled a trip to Russia, where he will be officially presented as a Zenit reinforcement in the coming days . The Russian club sees Gerson as a key player to reinforce the midfield with a view to competing in European and domestic competitions. This will be Gerson's second experience in Europe since leaving Flamengo for the first time, in 2021, when he transferred to Olympique de Marseille.
Unlike the first farewell, which included tributes on FlaTV and a positive atmosphere, the current departure was marked by coldness. According to an investigation by journalist Venê Casagrande, from “SBT Rio”, the player chose not to say goodbye to his teammates or the coaching staff . Internally, the episode was interpreted as a gesture of discontent with the club's current situation and with his own physical and technical condition, since Gerson had not been performing well and was even the target of criticism from the fans.
Since his return to Flamengo in 2023, Gerson has not been able to return to the high level of performances he had in 2019 and 2020. Between injuries and fluctuations, he lost his place in important moments of the season. The drop in performance, combined with strong competition in the midfield, fueled the player's desire to seek new horizons. Internal sources indicate that the player had been showing signs of fatigue and dissatisfaction with the environment. The early elimination from the Club World Cup was another factor that weighed on his decision to leave the club.
The Rio de Janeiro club is unlikely to make any effort to keep the player, who had already expressed his desire to leave since the beginning of the year but was blocked by the World Cup
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Negotiations involving Michael and Al-Duhail have gained momentum in recent days . According to journalist Mauro Sant'Ana, the Qatari club has formally proposed to the player's staff, who are positive about the possibility of returning to Middle Eastern football. Flamengo, in turn, was informed of the move and signaled that it will not block his exit.
The 29-year-old striker had been showing dissatisfaction with the lack of minutes under Filipe Luís, especially after the Club World Cup, where he had little participation. Michael's departure has been in the works since the beginning of the season. The player had already asked to leave the club at the beginning of 2025, but was eventually convinced to stay until the end of the first half of the year.
The internal promise was that, in the middle of the year, the club would analyze possible proposals more openly. With the mid-year window underway and Al-Duhail's interest confirmed, the tendency is for the negotiation to move forward quickly. The red-black board understands that the time is right to release the player.
With a large offensive sector and the active search for two fast wingers on the market, the club considers the departure of Michael natural, who returned to Flamengo in August 2024 without any costs, after terminating his contract with Al-Hilal. In addition, the eventual transfer will allow to reduce the payroll and make space in the squad for reinforcements that better fit the profile desired by the coaching staff.
Even with Michael's possible departure, Flamengo remains active in the market in search of two wing attackers. The idea is to bring in names with dribbling ability and explosiveness in tight spaces, characteristics that the coaching staff considers essential for the current game model. Recently, the club made inquiries for Michael Johnston, a 25-year-old Irish striker , in addition to monitoring South American players who could arrive on loan with an option to buy.
The player fits into Filipe Luís' scheme, being versatile in his group, with few goals but with an offensive presence in his career.
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Flamengo is getting closer to signing another signing for the season. The Rio de Janeiro club is negotiating the signing of Michael Johnston, an Irish striker who plays for West Bromwich Albion in the English second division . The proposal is worth around 5 million euros (R$31 million) , and negotiations are progressing positively.
The player's name was approved internally and has the support of the technical committee. Filipe Luís and Boto , who actively participate in the market mapping, see in Johnston an athlete with characteristics that fit the style required by Filipe Luís: a wing player, with dribbling ability, mobility and tactical reading.
Michael Johnston prefers to play as a second striker, but he can also play on the wings. This versatility is seen as a differential, especially given the injuries that the red-black squad has faced in recent weeks. With Everton Cebolinha in the medical department and Bruno Henrique recovering physically, the offensive sector has become a priority in the market. Johnston emerges as an option with international experience and a cost considered affordable compared to other European targets.
Johnston was a Celtic player from Scotland and made his senior debut in May 2017 in a 4–1 win over St Johnstone. His first professional goal came at the end of 2018 against Motherwell. His most memorable moment for the Scottish club was a goal against Stade Rennais in the 2019 UEFA Europa League group stage.
Despite his good moments, the striker suffered from muscle injuries and faced strong competition in the attacking sector. The constant interruptions hindered his sequence and led Celtic to loan him out to gain experience. In 2022, Michael was loaned to Vitória de Guimarães, in Portugal, where he got more time on the field and showed physical improvement. His performance served as a springboard for his loan to West Bromwich, in England, in 2024.