Speculated to be joining Flamengo, Marcos Leonardo signs with Serie A team

Matheus Gonçalves' departure for Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia was made official this week and is considered advantageous for both the Mais Querido and the player. The 20-year-old forward, who came up through the ranks at Ninho do Urubu, hadn't been receiving the minutes he expected under Filipe Luís, which influenced his decision.

Before the agreement with the Arab club, the athlete was close to playing for CSKA , Russia, and Cruzeiro, but negotiations did not progress. The transfer window was nearing its end when Al Ahli officially made an offer of €8 million (approximately R$50 million at the current exchange rate). The signed contract will run until 2027.

BASE LEADER HIGHLIGHTS CAST

The youth academy director, Alfredo Almeida, commented in an interview with Barbacast on YouTube that the athlete himself expressed dissatisfaction with his limited space in the first team. For him, the quality of the red-and-black squad was also a determining factor.

" Matheus Gonçalves himself wasn't comfortable, in his opinion, due to the lack of opportunities in the professional team. He had opportunities. Often, the question I ask when people ask why Matheus Gonçalves doesn't play anymore is: 'Who are you taking out?' The squad is so stacked, so good, so qualified…" said the director.

NEST CREAM STAND OUT AT THE BASE

A product of the club's youth academy, Matheus Gonçalves was a standout player in the U-20s, but he didn't achieve the desired run in the senior squad. Despite expectations, he played 54 games and scored six goals, a number considered modest given his potential.

For Alfredo Almeida, the negotiation was positive: " It will probably be beneficial for all parties: financially for Flamengo, for Matheus Gonçalves, and for his agents, who have the opportunity to increase his value. Business-wise, it was beneficial for everyone, especially for Matheus. I think he'll be happy where he is."

Defendant in the Sports and Common Courts, Bruno Henrique began to be tried this Thursday (5) by the Superior Court of Sports Justice ( STJD ), in Rio de Janeiro. The Flamengo striker did not appear in person, but participates in the hearing remotely.

The player's physical presence was not mandatory. Furthermore, he is on a four-day break granted by the club due to the FIFA ban. The trial, scheduled for 9 a.m. , is considered the first step in resolving the case in the sports arena.

If convicted, number 27 could appeal to the full STJD, the highest court, requesting a stay of execution. If acquitted, the Prosecutor's Office may also file an appeal. The trial may also not be finalized today if one of the auditors requests further review.

👉 LIVE: FOLLOW THE TRIAL

WHY IS BRUNO HENRIQUE ON TRIAL?

The striker is accused of having passed on privileged information about the yellow card he received in a match against Santos , held at the Mané Garrincha stadium, in Brasília, on November 1, 2023. The suspicion is that this data benefited bettors.

In addition to the striker, Claudinei Vitor Mosquete Bassan, Andryl Reis, and Douglas Barcelos were also charged by the Superior Court of Justice (STJD). The case also names Ludymilla Araújo Lima, Wander's wife, and Poliana Ester Nunes Cardoso, Bruno Henrique's cousin. However, neither of these are currently under review by the sports court.

Defendant in the Sports and Common Courts, Flamengo striker Bruno Henrique was not present in person at his trial at the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD), held this Thursday (29), in Rio de Janeiro. The player will give testimony remotely.

The athlete's absence from the court headquarters did not constitute an irregularity, as his presence was not mandatory. The number 27 is also in the middle of the four-day break granted by the club during the FIFA International Day.

The session, scheduled for 9 a.m., represents the first step toward defining the case in the sports arena . If convicted, the striker can appeal to the full Superior Court of Justice (STJD) , the highest court in the sports arena, with the possibility of requesting a stay of execution. On the other hand, if acquitted, the Prosecutor's Office also has the right to appeal. There is also the possibility of the case being postponed if a member of the panel requests further review.

UNDERSTAND THE ACCUSATION

The trial involves the accusation that Bruno Henrique would have passed on advance information about the yellow card he received in a match against Santos, at the Mané Garrincha Stadium, in Brasília, on November 1, 2023. According to the investigations, the move would have favored his brother, Wander, who passed on the data to third parties for the benefit of sports betting.

OTHER NAMES REPORTED

In addition to the duo, Claudinei Vitor Mosquete Bassan, Andryl Reis, and Douglas Barcelos were also charged by the Superior Court of Justice (STJD). Two other people connected to the player, Ludymilla Araújo Lima, Wander's wife, and Poliana Ester Nunes Cardoso , Bruno Henrique 's cousin, were involved in the investigation but were not included among those charged by the sports court.