Former Flamengo player leaves retirement and returns to football after 10 years

The headquarters of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), in Rio de Janeiro, was the target of a Federal Police operation on Wednesday morning (30). The agents carried out a search and seizure warrant related to Operation Caixa Preta, which investigates alleged electoral crimes committed in Roraima. The president of the entity, Samir Xaud, was one of the targets.

CBF releases statement on the case: "The operation has no relation whatsoever with the CBF or Brazilian football"

Despite the police presence, nothing was seized, according to the CBF itself. The organization also stated, in an official statement, that the director " is not the focus of the investigation " and that the operation has no connection with football or the confederation.

INVESTIGATION IS CONNECTED WITH REPRESENTATIVE HELENA LIMA (MDB-RR)

According to the Federal Police, the operation focused primarily on Federal Deputy Helena Lima (MDB-RR), whose deputy is Samir Xaud in the Chamber . She is suspected of involvement in a vote-buying scheme. Ten search and seizure warrants were executed, and R$10 million was frozen in the accounts of those under investigation.

ACTION AT THE CBF WAS BRIEF AND WITHOUT SEIZURES

The investigation began during the 2024 municipal elections, when businessman Renildo Lima, the parliamentarian's husband, was arrested with R$500,000 in cash , part of which was hidden in his underwear. According to sources close to Samir Xaud, PF agents remained at the CBF headquarters for about 30 minutes. No material was seized during the operation.

In an official statement, the CBF declared: "The operation has no connection with the CBF or Brazilian football, and president Samir Xaud is not the focus of the investigation. The entity has not received any official information about the subject of the investigation . No equipment or materials were taken by the agents. The president remains calm and at the disposal of the authorities for any clarification."

Two young Brazilians on the rise on the international sports scene have demonstrated mutual admiration : 20-year-old driver Gabriel Bortoleto, in his debut season in Formula 1 with Sauber, and 18-year-old tennis player João Fonseca , who competes on the ATP professional circuit.

Gabriel Bortoleto on João Fonseca: "He is incredible"

In an interview with the official F1 website, Bortoleto was asked what career he would pursue if he weren't a driver. His response was good-natured: "I admire a Brazilian, João Fonseca . He's incredible. He's climbing the ATP rankings, and I think he'll be a future star ."

Despite his admiration for tennis, the Brazilian admitted that his experience in the sport is still limited. "Tennis is fascinating, I love watching it and I like the players' mentality , but I don't play it often. I play a lot of padel, but I need to start playing real tennis."

FOCUS ON FORMULA 1

When asked where he sees himself in five years, Bortoleto was blunt: " I'd like to be world champion ." According to him, being in F1 is already part of that process: "The best drivers in the world are here. I've always wanted to be here precisely to fight against them and, who knows, become the best one day."

A native of São Paulo, the driver began his karting career at the age of six and now rubs shoulders with some of the biggest names in motorsports. He also praised his team principal, Mattia Binotto , and highlighted the importance of idols like Ayrton Senna.

FRIENDSHIP WITH VERSTAPPEN

Bortoleto also revealed his closeness with current four-time world champion Max Verstappen. " Max and Ollie Bearman are the two guys I'm closest with in the paddock . I started playing video games with Max, and then we started training together on the simulator, back in the Formula 3 days."

According to the Brazilian, this friendship has evolved, and today the two share time off the track. " We have a group of friends with whom we play simulators . I'm even an ambassador for his team, Team Redline. Since then, we've spent a lot of time together—and it's been a lot of fun."

Coach Carlo Ancelotti , the current manager of the Brazilian national team, was sentenced by a Spanish court to one year in prison for tax fraud. The sentence relates to the Italian coach's time at the helm of Real Madrid in 2014, when he failed to declare approximately €1 million—a figure now equivalent to approximately R$6.4 million—in income from image rights.

According to information from the newspaper EFE Notícias, in addition to the custodial sentence, Ancelotti was also fined 387 thousand euros (around R$ 2.4 million). As a result of the decision, the coach is prohibited from receiving any type of subsidy or public benefit in Spain for the next three years.

PRISON SENTENCE WAS CONVERTED INTO FREEDOM

Despite the formal conviction, Ancelotti will not serve his sentence in a closed regime. According to Spanish law, sentences of up to two years are usually converted to conditional release when the offender is a first-time offender and not involved in violent crimes. This prerogative applies to the coach, who has no criminal record and will therefore remain free.

So far, the conviction has not directly impacted Carlo Ancelotti's performance as head coach of the Brazilian national team . The coach remains in his position, and the Brazilian Football Confederation ( CBF ) said it has not yet been officially notified of further details of the case.

When contacted by the press, the organization said it was awaiting an official statement from Ancelotti himself. “We are just waiting,” the CBF summarized, without saying whether the episode could change future plans related to the national team’s preparation for the World Cup.

ANCELOTTI'S TRAJECTORY AND EXPECTATIONS

Ancelotti was announced as the coach of the national team with the mission of leading the sports project that aims to win the sixth world championship. With vast experience and spells at major European clubs , the Italian also has the support of the CBF, which is waiting for a legal definition before making any decision.