UNDERSTAND THE REGULATION THAT ALLOWS FLAMENGO TO PLAY WITHOUT A 10 SHIRT IN THE LIBERTADORES

Striker Mehdi Taremi is not expected to remain at Inter Milan , despite being in Christian Chivu's plans. However, the 33-year-old Iranian has been hindering the negotiation process by rejecting offers from Brazilian football. According to the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Taremi ruled out the possibility of playing for Flamengo and Botafogo , making it clear to the Nerazzurri board that he intends to remain in Europe.

Despite the player's firm stance, the atmosphere at the club remains calm. Inter understands the striker's desire to continue playing in Europe. So far, however, the only concrete offers have come from Brazil , and none have pleased the number 99. Besiktas, from Turkey, is monitoring the situation and may formalize a loan request.

BELOW-EXPECT PERFORMANCE IN 2024/25

Taremi played in 52 matches in the 2024/25 season, scoring eight goals and contributing 11 assists — numbers that add up to 19 direct goal involvements, also considering games for the Iranian national team in the World Cup qualifiers.

For Inter, the striker scored one goal in the Champions League, one in Serie A, and one in the Italian Super Cup. Despite his lackluster performance, Taremi's name appeals to Flamengo 's board, who value his international experience and technical ability , especially as an alternative to Lucas Beltrán.

FLAMENGO'S INTEREST STILL WITHOUT AN OFFICIAL PROPOSAL

Flamengo has yet to formalize a bid for Mehdi Taremi, but interest is real and has gained momentum with the stalled negotiations with Fiorentina's Beltrán . Flamengo's board is considering accelerating negotiations in the coming days, as the transfer window approaches its final stretch and the club seeks reinforcements to maintain its high level this season.

On and off the field, Flamengo continues to be one of the highlights of the 2025 Brazilian Championship. In addition to its good campaign in the competition, the Rubro-Negro also dominates the stands: with an average of 56,563 fans per game at Maracanã, the club currently records the third highest average attendance in the history of the points system, which began in 2003 .

Renowned for their unconditional passion, the Flamengo fans are poised to push the club toward another historic feat. In four of their nine home matches, Flamengo has surpassed the 60,000 attendance mark , and those numbers are expected to rise in the second half of the season—especially with the team undefeated at home and firmly in the title race.

FLAMENGO HAS THE LARGEST ATTENDANCES OF THE ERA OF THE RUN POINTS

Rubro-Negro has held the absolute record for average attendance since 2003, achieved in 2019, in the historic campaign under Jorge Jesus, when they took 59,285 fans per match to Maracanã . In 2023, the second best mark came (57,984), also with Flamengo . In 2025, the current average of 56,563 places them again among the three largest attendances in the history of the modern Brasileirão.

BIGGEST AUDIENCE AVERAGES (2003–2025):

1. 59,285 – Flamengo (2019)
2. 57,984 – Flamengo (2023)
3. 56,563 – Flamengo (2025)
4. 54,599 – Flamengo (2022)
5. 53,893 – Flamengo (2024)
6. 51,224 – Flamengo (2018)
7. 43,869 – Corinthians (2024)
8. 43,837 – Sao Paulo (2023)
9. 42,300 – Atlético-MG (2021)
10. 41,553 – Flamengo (2009)
11. 40,694 – Flamengo (2008)
12. 40,667 – Corinthians (2025)
13. 40,007 – Corinthians (2017)

AUDIENCE PRESENT AT FLAMENGO GAMES IN 2025:

1. 67,501 – Flamengo 4 x 0 Corinthians
2. 67,359 – Flamengo 2 x 0 Sao Paulo
3. 64,900 – Flamengo 5 x 0 Fortaleza
4. 62,204 – Flamengo 1 x 0 Bahia
5. 58,416 – Flamengo 1 x 0 Fluminense
6. 54,550 – Flamengo 1 x 0 Atlético-MG
7. 54,238 – Flamengo 0 x 0 Botafogo
8. 48,452 – Flamengo 1 x 1 Internacional
9. 31,445 – Flamengo 6 x 0 Juventude

With such consistent numbers, the Gávea club once again demonstrates the power of its fans, which extends far beyond the stands— it directly impacts the sporting performance and atmosphere of matches . Flamengo thus approaches another record-breaking attendance record for the Championship.

LEADER IN PARTICIPATION IN THE STANDS

Flamengo is, by far, the club that has finished the Brasileirão with the highest average attendance the most times: it has led this ranking in eight editions . Corinthians is in second place, with seven, followed by Cruzeiro (3), Grêmio, Palmeiras and Atlético-MG (1 each).

Flamengo is expected to gain a key reinforcement for its Copa Libertadores clash against Internacional on August 13th. Midfielder Nicolás De La Cruz is in the final stages of recovering from a knee problem and is expected to return for the match against the Rio Grande do Sul team.

Having been sidelined for a few weeks, De La Cruz is still recovering physically at Ninho do Urubu . The coaching staff is taking a cautious approach to avoid the risk of further injury, but the mood is optimistic about the Uruguayan's return.

RETURN CONSIDERED FUNDAMENTAL

The number 18 is expected to be fully available to Filipe Luís for a match that could be decisive in the battle for the top spots in the Brasileirão standings and a spot in the quarterfinals of the Libertadores. Considered a key player in the Flamengo midfield, De La Cruz is responsible for providing the team with rhythm and intensity.

With his return, Flamengo gains quality in playmaking and offensive transition . His presence on the field could be crucial for the team to regain its strong performance in the national competition.

DE LA CRUZ'S INJURY HISTORY IS A CONCERN

Despite his technical prominence, De La Cruz has a worrying history of injuries . Since his time at River Plate, the Uruguayan has been prone to physical problems, particularly in his knee and thigh, requiring strict load management and recovery.

This season (2024/25), the midfielder has already suffered four serious injuries: two to his thigh (in September and November) and two knee injuries —the most recent in May, which kept him out of important training sessions on the eve of the Club World Cup. In total, he has spent around 78 days on the sidelines this season alone.

This isn't a first for the player. In 2022/23, De La Cruz underwent knee surgery, sidelining him for over 50 days . In 2021/22, he experienced the worst physical stretch of his career: chronic knee injuries and physical trauma kept him out of action for around 160 days.