Soccer

''WE WAS HOPEFUL HE WOULD BE IN THE HOLDER'', REVEALS A PLAYER'S FRIEND AFTER LEAVING FLAMENGO

Athlete did not like being on the bench and decided to leave the club before the end of the contract

Player was little used by Sampaoli
Player was little used by Sampaoli

11 Jul 2023 | 14:15 |

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Looking for a new change of scenery, Arturo Vidal is ready to leave Flamengo. Last Monday afternoon (10), the defensive midfielder finalized the termination of his contract with Mengão and agreed on his transfer to Athletico-PR. Maurício Pinilla, a former striker for the Chilean national team and a close friend of the player, revealed the backstage and the main reasons behind Vidal's decision to leave Flamengo.


“With the arrival of Sampaoli (at Flamengo), we all expected that Vidal was a starter, and he was even in the beginning. Then, along the way, this possibility was diluted. Surely, the relationship (between Sampaoli and Vidal) was rapidly deteriorating, and that made Arturo decide to take his bags and leave the club”, said Pinilla, in an interview with 'ESPN Chile'.


Slightly used by Sampaoli, Vidal made it clear that he would like to leave Flamengo and, with that, he went in search of a new team. After signing a contract termination with Mais Querido, the Chilean quickly agreed with Athletico-PR. The midfielder's bond with the team from Paraná is valid until December 2023.




Soccer

Which channel will broadcast Flamengo's game today? Check the schedule and details.

Rubro-Negro faces the Argentines at Maracanã at 9:30 pm for the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals, with important returns and doubts in the squad

Flamengo and Estudiantes face off today at 9:30 pm at Maracanã in the Libertadores quarterfinals - photo: reproduction
Flamengo and Estudiantes face off today at 9:30 pm at Maracanã in the Libertadores quarterfinals - photo: reproduction

18 Set 2025 | 11:27 |

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The Brazilian Championship's undisputed leader, Flamengo, returns to the field this Thursday (18) to face Estudiantes in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals. The match takes place at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, with live broadcast on ESPN. The return duel is scheduled for September 25, at Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium, in La Plata, also at 9:30 pm.


Coach Filipe Luís will have some key reinforcements. Varela and Bruno Henrique, who missed the win against Juventude, are available, as is Léo Ortiz, who served a suspension in the last round of the Brasileirão . Alex Sandro and Jorginho, on the other hand, are still doubtful, as they have been undergoing physical therapy and will have their status determined shortly before the match.


STUDENTS ARRIVE WITHOUT STAFF


Eduardo Domínguez's team will be without González Pirez and Edwuin Cetré, both injured. Even so, 27 players traveled to Rio de Janeiro for the match. The final training session took place at Fluminense's training center in the city's West Zone . In the round of 16, Estudiantes advanced by defeating Cerro Porteño 1-0 on aggregate.

PROBABLE LINEUPS


FLAMENGO (Coach: Filipe Luis): Rossi; Varela (Emerson Royal), Leo Ortiz, Leo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas (Viña); Saul, De La Cruz (Jorginho) and Arrascaeta; Plata, Pedro and Samuel Lino.

ESTUDIATES (Coach: Eduardo Domínguez): Muslera; Román Gómez, Santiago Núñez, Facundo Rodríguez and Santiago Arzamendia; Ascacíbar, Gabriel Neves, Amondarain and Medina; Tiago Palacios and Guido Carrillo.


Soccer

With tickets sold out, check out the attendance forecast for Flamengo vs Estudiantes

With all tickets sold, the quarterfinals are expected to surpass 69,447 fans and record the highest attendance in 2025.

Flamengo and Estudiantes will have a packed Maracanã in the Libertadores quarterfinals, with record attendance expected in Brazil in 2025 - photo: reproduction
Flamengo and Estudiantes will have a packed Maracanã in the Libertadores quarterfinals, with record attendance expected in Brazil in 2025 - photo: reproduction

18 Set 2025 | 11:07 |

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Flamengo and Estudiantes face each other this Thursday (17), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. Fans of both teams have sold out their tickets and promise a huge party in the stands , worthy of a decisive clash in the main club tournament in South America.


Flamengo is expected to break the attendance record in Brazil in 2025. The current record is held by the Rio de Janeiro club itself, which drew 69,447 fans in its draw with Grêmio in the Brazilian Championship . With high demand for tickets and the atmosphere of the final, the number is projected to be surpassed this Thursday.


MARACANÃ HAS THE LARGEST CAPACITY IN THE COUNTRY


Maracanã has a capacity of approximately 78,000 fans, making it the largest stadium in the country. However, due to mandatory separation between fans, not all seats are available . Even so, Flamengo usually reaches nearly 70,000 attendance when it reaches its record attendance, which is expected for this match.

Rubro-Negro reached the quarterfinals after eliminating Internacional , while Estudiantes advanced by defeating Cerro Porteño. The semifinal spot will be decided in the second leg in Argentina next week.


FLAMENGO LEADS RANKING
  • 69,447 – Flamengo 1x1 Grêmio
  • 69,393 – Flamengo 0x0 Fluminense
  • 68,483 – Flamengo 1x0 Internacional
  • 67,501 – Flamengo 4x0 Corinthians
  • 67,359 – Flamengo 2x0 Sao Paulo


Soccer

David Luiz defends Pedro after controversy with Filipe Luís at Flamengo

The defender was one of the striker's best friends while he was still in the squad and sees the situation with the coach as positive.

David Luiz spoke about the controversy between Pedro and coach Filipe Luís and praised his former teammate - Photo: Reproduction/Flamengo
David Luiz spoke about the controversy between Pedro and coach Filipe Luís and praised his former teammate - Photo: Reproduction/Flamengo

18 Set 2025 | 11:06 |

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Pedro faced behavioral issues under Filipe Luís at Flamengo and, at one point, was even left off the roster. However, the striker regained his place in the squad and was once again decisive. David Luiz came to the defense of the number 9, praising his teammate and responding to criticism .


David Luiz on the controversy between Pedro and Filipe Luís at Flamengo: "Nobody trains for a week and then starts scoring a goal"


"Pedro is an incredible player and a wonderful person. A friend, a brother. Often, in football and in life, people like to label others. They did that with Rodinei, treating him as a character and not as a player. With Pedro, they say he doesn't like training. But that's not the case . No one trains for a week and then scores goals. He was already dedicated beforehand," the defender said in an interview with LANCE!.


RELATIONSHIP WITH FILIPE LUÍS

According to David Luiz, the relationship between Pedro and Filipe Luís improved after the incident became public . Since then, the striker has returned to Flamengo 's starting lineup and has been instrumental in scoring important goals.


" After this public issue with Filipe, face-to-face dialogue became easier . Pedro is pure, he speaks his mind, and this helps us understand how to support him. Suddenly, he's back to doing what he always did: scoring goals. He deserves it, because he works for it. If he didn't work, he wouldn't have the numbers he's putting up," he added.

AVAILABLE AGAINST STUDIANTS

Pedro trained normally during the week and is confirmed among Filipe Luís' options for the duel this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, against Estudiantes (ARG), for the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals.


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