Former Flamengo player Natan could start for Real Betis in La Liga against Girona

Filipe Luís's work as Flamengo's manager has received praise from various sectors of Brazilian football. However, this week, former coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo sparked controversy by downplaying the former full-back's ideas. During the Galvão e Amigos program, the former coach stated that the club's style is not innovative .

Vanderlei Luxemburgo on Filipe Luís's Flamengo: "Nothing new, because we do that there"

"There's nothing new in what we're seeing here. He (Filipe Luís) waits to make a decision, and when he makes a decision, he advances the marking . Two against one, three against one. He loses and presses. Nothing new, because that's what we do," Luxemburgo declared.

THE CONTEXT

The speech came after Flamengo 's victory over Juventude, last Sunday (14). During the analysis of the game, commentator Marco Antônio Rodrigues, Bodão, highlighted that he saw a “European standard” in the way Filipe Luís organizes the team . The observation irritated Luxemburgo, who promptly responded.

"When Jorge Jesus took over at Flamengo , the team started playing like that, and we haven't seen a Brazilian team play like that in a long time. Pressing marking . It's a training system of European coaches. I know you (Luxembourg) have won everything, but they came with a certain mentality," said Bodão.

" You want to portray something as new, and it's not, " Luxemburgo retorted, visibly annoyed. "It's not new, but you didn't put it into practice," Bodão countered. "Of course you did, unless you saw it," Luxemburgo replied, before Galvão Bueno intervened, changing the course of the discussion by mentioning Arrascaeta's name.

THE IMPACT OF FILIPE LUÍS

Despite the criticism, the numbers speak in favor of the current Flamengo coach. Flamengo leads the Brazilian Championship, boasting the best attack and the tightest defense in the competition . Whenever questioned, Filipe Luís emphasizes that he draws inspiration primarily from Jorge Jesus and Diego Simeone.

The former full-back recently turned down a multi-million dollar offer from Fenerbahçe (TUR), making it clear that he intends to stay at Flamengo to fulfill the goals he set out to achieve when he took over the team. The club also rejected the offer.

In 2024, Rodolfo Landim's administration announced the purchase of the Gasômetro land and promised the delivery of the new stadium in 2029. However, during a meeting of the Deliberative Council held this Wednesday (17), president Luiz Eduardo Baptista (Bap) presented new data and stated that the arena will only be ready in 2036 .

MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PROJECTS

Landim Project:

• Capacity: 78 thousand seats
• Estimated cost: R$ 3 billion
• Opening: 2029
• Financing model: revenue anticipation
• Predicted impact on football performance

Bap Project:

• Capacity: 72 thousand seats
• Estimated cost: R$2.2 billion
• Inauguration: 2036
• Financing model: generation of internal resources (savings)
• No impact on sports performance

Upon taking over the club in January, Bap stated that he would review all of the previous management's studies , particularly regarding deadlines and costs. At this Wednesday's meeting, the board presented the first updates.

FLAMENGO'S OFFICIAL POSITION

After the meeting, the club released a statement explaining the reasons for the schedule change. The statement emphasizes that it will take at least six years to make adjustments to the Gasômetro site: "The deadlines were also revised. The original schedule ignored essential steps, such as the relocation of Naturgy, which currently occupies 55% of the site , with a gas pumping substation for the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan region," Flamengo wrote.

“According to a statement from Naturgy sent to Flamengo on September 10, 2025, the estimated relocation time is four years, after obtaining a new address for the installation of the substation , which is the responsibility of the City Hall.”

WHERE WILL FLAMENGO PLAY UNTIL 2036?

Despite the seven-year delay compared to the initial forecast, the club sees no risk in the short term. This is because the Maracanã concession is guaranteed for another 19 years , ensuring Flamengo a permanent venue until its own stadium opens. Thus, by 2036, Flamengo will have two stadiums at its disposal.

Flamengo's fans continue to impress world football's biggest names . In 2019, Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk came face-to-face with the might of the Red-Black Nation at the FIFA Club World Cup final in Qatar. The atmosphere of that match left a lasting impression on the Dutch defender.

Liverpool's Van Dijk on Flamengo: "Their fans were incredible"

In an interview with TNT Sports, Van Dijk was asked about his knowledge of Brazilian football. The topic arose because striker Memphis Depay , a player for Corinthians and the Dutch national team, frequently talks to the defender about Brazil.

"I know very well the passion Brazilian fans have for their teams. We faced Flamengo in the Club World Cup in Qatar, and their support was incredible . Memphis also spoke to me several times about the Corinthians fans. We know how great Brazilian football is. I'm very proud of Memphis and hope he scores many goals for the national team," said the defender.

FLAMENGO X LIVERPOOL – THE 2019 MEETING

After eliminating Al-Hilal in the semifinals, Flamengo faced Liverpool again in a repeat of the 1981 final . However, Jorge Jesus's team failed to break down the English defense and lost in extra time. In the final, Van Dijk experienced one of the greatest moments of his career and was a key player in neutralizing the Flamengo attack. Players like Gabigol struggled against the defender's solidity.

MARACANÃ FULL FOR FLAMENGO X ESTUDIANTES

Almost six years after that duel, the Nation is preparing for another big night. Tickets for Flamengo vs Estudiantes, this Thursday (18), at Maracanã, for the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals , are already sold out . More than 69 thousand fans will support Filipe Luís' team, which is looking to open up an advantage before the decisive match in La Plata.