
Soccer
11 Nov 2024 | 12:30 |
Last Sunday (10), Flamengoconsecrated itself five-time champion of the Copa do Brasil by beating Atlético-MG with an aggregate score of 4 to 1. After the victory, coach Filipe Luís revealed that he does not intend to save players in the final rounds of the Brazilian Championship.
“I can call myself a memoryless trainer. I don't have a museum at home, I don't have a place for memories. I like to delete and go to the next one. And the players who want to come with me will understand that I am grateful, gratitude for what has happened so far, however, it is behind me. I'm a current coach. I see what’s happening at the moment and my choices are all based on what I’m seeing. I repeat: it doesn’t matter if you’re 16 or 42”, he said, before completing:
“Those who are better will play. This creates a lot of internal competition, raising their level and, consequently, that of the team. I don't negotiate effort, I don't negotiate competitiveness. It will depend on whether players want to continue competing and continue growing or whether they will lose their ambition. This group of players that I know, I'm sure will not lose their ambition. They will play in the same competitive way they have played until now”, concluded Filipe Luís.
Flamengo's next challenges in the Brasileirão
With the main objective of the season achieved, the Flamengonow focuses on the remaining six matches of the Brasileirão. The team meets Atlético-MG again on Wednesday (13) for the 33rd round, in a game that will be played at Maracanã, at 8pm (Brasília time), broadcast live on Premiere.
Flamengo final calendar
After the confrontation with Atlético-MG, Flamengo faces a less intense calendar. The club will play against Cuiabá (away), Fortaleza (away), Internacional (home), Criciúma (away) and Vitória (home), ending the season with these commitments in the Brasileirão.
Commentator believes that Mengão was better than Alviverde during the transfer market, which also makes them the favorite to win the Libertadores.
07 Set 2025 | 14:06 |
Former player Vampeta analyzed the Brazilian football scene after the transfer window closed and left no doubt about his prediction: for him, Flamengo is the big favorite to win the Brazilian Championship , ahead of Palmeiras and Cruzeiro.
Vampeta on Flamengo and Palmeiras' windows: "Flamengo's window, for me, is much more interesting"
Commenting on the investments, Vampeta highlighted that Palmeiras spent around R$700 million, but didn't bring in any names that justified such a figure, with the exception, in his view, of Andreas Pereira . Flamengo , on the other hand, according to him, was more strategic, spending less than half that amount and bolstering its squad with internationally renowned players.
" Flamengo spent half, and you can identify all these players . Samuel Lino has a long history with Atlético Madrid. Emerson Royal played for Tottenham and Milan. Carrascal is called up to the Colombian national team. Saúl played for Atlético and the Spanish national team for many years."
In the former player's view, Flamengo's transfer window was superior: "Flamengo's transfer window, for me, is much more interesting. They brought in top-tier players at lower prices. At Palmeiras, only Andreas Pereira occasionally makes the national team . To be worth R$700 million?!"
Flamengo is seeking its fourth Libertadores title, an unprecedented feat so far, as among the Brazilian teams that have already won three titles, only "Mais Querido," Palmeiras, and São Paulo remain in the competition . Vampeta recalled the rivalry between the clubs and emphasized that São Paulo remains a dangerous contender.
"There are eight champions left. It could be Flamengo, which had fewer titles. Will São Paulo maintain its hegemony of being the first to win more than everyone else? There will be that rush as well. For the Brazilian Championship, I think São Paulo will finish in the top seven. In the Libertadores, São Paulo will surpass LDU. I don't know if Palmeiras will surpass River Plate."
According to a journalist, the Mais Querido coach rejected the first renewal offer, but talks are ongoing; the impasse revolves around salaries.
07 Set 2025 | 13:41 |
Bayer Leverkusen's target has been Filipe Luís, who has rejected Flamengo's first contract renewal offer . The initial obstacle stems from the young coach's salary , as he remains in talks with the Flamengo board.
According to journalist Fabrício Lopes of the newspaper O Dia, in addition to a salary increase, Filipe Luís is asking for improvements to his coaching staff and the club's training center . These demands are central to the current negotiations.
Despite Bayer Leverkusen 's (GER) interest, there is optimism behind the scenes that the parties will reach an agreement soon. Filipe Luís's priority is to remain in Brazil until at least 2027 , continuing the work he began in his first season as coach.
Currently, the coaching staff led by Filipe Luís receives approximately R$800,000 per month , a figure far from the top salaries paid in Brazilian soccer. According to Jorge Nicola, Palmeiras' Abel Ferreira leads the rankings with R$3 million per month, followed by Corinthians' Dorival Jr., who earns approximately R$2 million.
In charge of the Rio de Janeiro club, Filipe Luís has played 63 official matches, winning 43, drawing 16, and losing only six . In 2024, he won the Copa do Brasil and, this year, leads the Brazilian Championship with Flamengo , cementing a promising start to his coaching career.
Even after the end of the transfer window, the red-black board continues to keep an eye on the market and sees Lazio's Argentine striker as a priority.
07 Set 2025 | 13:31 |
Flamengo remains active behind the scenes, even after the last transfer window closed. The Rio de Janeiro club was one of the biggest investors in Brazilian football this year, with high-profile signings , but failed to secure the arrival of a more mobile center forward, which was one of the board's main goals.
Among the names considered was Argentine Taty Castellanos , currently with Lazio in Italy. Talks progressed at one point, but the Italian team refused to release the striker for negotiations.
According to the portal The Laziale, Flamengo has once again placed Castellanos among its strategic targets for 2026. The expectation is that the red-black board will make a new attempt to sign him in January , during the pre-season.
At 26, the striker is seen as a market opportunity and, according to the publication, would be willing to return to South America . He also welcomes the possibility of playing for Flamengo in the near future.
While monitoring the international market, coach Filipe Luís is expected to once again rely on striker Juninho. The player, who was close to leaving the team this summer, ended up staying and should gain more space in the squad rotation throughout the season.