Exclusive: Flamengo prepares Cebolinha and De La Cruz returns against Palmeiras

Flamengodivided the squad again at the start of the season. Thus, while the main team players carry out pre-season in the United States, the other athletes begin the club's journey in Carioca. In a press conference this past Tuesday (14),Evertton Araújo sent a message to the alternative team.

"Last year (2024) I was at Carioca, and today I'm here. Very happy to be doing my first pre-season here in the USA. I wish strength to the boys there at Carioca, they lost the first game, but The beginning of the season is like this. We are giving positive energy. I hope this season is very good. Anyone who can give me things to help me grow, I will listen", declared Evertton Araújo.

PREMIERE IN CARIOCA

While the main team continues its preparation in the United States, the Garotos do Ninhoare part of the alternative squad in the Campeonato Carioca. In addition to the young players, the alternative team also has some players who were part of the main squad, including Cleiton, Carlinhos, Dyogo Alves, Lorran and Pablo.

Rubro-Negro debuted at Carioca with a defeat. Last Sunday (12), Mais Querido facedBoavistaand was defeated by a score of 2-1, in Aracajú, Sergipe. Thus,Flamengo suffered defeat at the beginning of the State Championship.

MAIN CAST b>

The main cast will officially debut only on January 19th, when they face the São Pauloin a friendly game for the FC Series. However, in Carioca, the professional team will only enter the field for the first time in 2025 on the 25th, againstVolta Redonda.

The Deliberative Council of Flamengo voted and approved, this Tuesday, Shopee's new sponsorship. The Singaporean brand will print the sleeves of the shirts of the men's and women's football teams, as well as the basketball team. The sponsorship will yield R$ 12 million fixed to Flamengo. Payment will be made in three installments of R$4 million (February, April and July). There is still a variable value. That's 5% of sales in the Shopee affiliate program.

Thebrand will be on the sleeves of the game, training and warm-up shirt of the men's and women's football teams. In basketball, it is in front of the game, training and warm-up shorts. In terms of comparison, Kwai paid R$10 million for the same space in the 2024 season. The contract with Shopee will be until December 31, 2025.

On the back, Flamengo will not immediately fill the gap left by Mercado Livre. A test will be carried out with the FlaBet exhibition for a period of three months. The idea is to leverage the number of bets and earn more royalties, as you receive 1% of the gross value of bets.

Flamengo reaches four approved sponsorships in 2025

In addition to shopee, Rubro-Negro approved three sponsorships before. The brands involved are Texaco, ABC da Construção and In Drive. In total, Flamengo should receive more than R$20 million. Check the details of each brand:

Texaco: number of the men's first team shirts and a small shield on the training and warm-up shirts of the main team and the under-20 team. Two-year contract, R$4.2 million in the first and R$4.8 in the second, totaling R$9 million.

ABC of Construction: back part of both legs in the shorts of professional teams (men's and women's), men's under-20s and men's professional basketball. One-year contract, with R$5.5 million in cash and R$2 million in exchange (it is worth remembering that the club is building a mini-stadium in Ninho do Urubu), totaling R$7.5 million.

In Drive: microphone at press conferences for the men's team and on the back of the shirt for the women's team. One-year contract for around R$7 million.

O Flamengo decided that the attacker Carlinhos will not be part of the plans of the squad led by Filipe Luís. After internal evaluation, the player was released to seek new opportunities in the transfer market. The athlete was offered to clubs in Europe, such as Estoril and Rio Ave, both from Portugal, but negotiations did not progress. According to information, the two clubs analyzed the player with the support of their scouting departments and decided not to close the deal.

FLAMENGO CONTINUES SEARCHING FOR INTERESTED PARTIES

Despite the first impasses, the CRF remains committed to finding a destination for Carlinhos. The club is in contact with other markets and is considering alternatives to negotiate the striker, whether through a permanent sale or loan. The decision not to include Carlinhos in the squad reflects a strategic change by Mais Querido, which seeks to optimize the group's formation and adjust the players' profile to the coach's plans.

CHALLENGES IN THE MARKET FOR THE PLAYER

The refusal of Portuguese clubs highlights the difficulties that some players face in finding new opportunities on the international market. In addition to technical quality, aspects such as age, injury history and tactical profile are taken into account by scouts. In the case of Carlinhos, Flamengocontinues to explore possibilities that are advantageous to both parties, respecting the planning outlined by the technical committee and the board.

With just a few weeks until the transfer window closes, Mengão intensifies efforts to provide closure to the attacker's situation. The club hopes to resolve the case quickly, allowing Carlinhos to be able to play regularly for another team. The case reflects the challenges faced by big clubs like Flamengo when managing extensive and competitive squads, where opportunities for some players end up being limited.