Soccer

Flamengo advances with the top scorer in Italian football

At 26 years old, Argentine striker Taty Castellanos approaches Mais Querido with salary agreement and contract defined; club negotiates values with Lazio

Taty Castellanos, Lazio's Argentine striker, is close to joining Flamengo; negotiations with the Italian club are in the final stages - photo: reproduction
Taty Castellanos, Lazio's Argentine striker, is close to joining Flamengo; negotiations with the Italian club are in the final stages - photo: reproduction

15 Jul 2025 | 12:23 |

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Flamengo has intensified negotiations to sign 26-year-old Argentine striker Valentín "Taty" Castellanos, who currently plays for Lazio in Italy. The information was initially released by journalist Venê Casagrande and confirmed by other sources close to the Flamengo board. The player, who has played for clubs such as Girona in Spain and New York City in the United States, has a contract with the Italian team until 2025.


According to sources close to the negotiations, Flamengo and Castellanos have already reached an understanding regarding the base salary and contract length. The striker reportedly expressed great enthusiasm about the possibility of playing for Mengão. Talks between the clubs have evolved significantly in recent hours, and the board, through Boto, expects the deal to be completed soon.


TRAJECTORY IN LAZIO


Taty Castellanos arrived at Lazio in 2023, taking over as a starter after the departure of Ciro Immobile. Last season, he scored 14 goals and provided 8 assists in 40 matches, becoming a key player in the Italian team's tactical scheme thanks to his movement, finishing ability, and active participation in attacking build-up play.

EXPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE OF CASTELLANOS


With a total of 288 professional career appearances, Castellanos has 98 goals and 41 assists, averaging 0.48 direct goal contributions per game. For Lazio, he has played 86 matches, scoring 20 goals and providing 8 assists. In just 26 appearances last season, the Argentine striker contributed 10 goals and 6 key assists.

Flamengo 's interest in the player has been long-standing. In 2022, Castellanos even received a jersey from the Rio de Janeiro club as a gift from fellow striker Reinier , which generated a stir among fans and fueled speculation about a future deal.


Soccer

Filipe Luís's Flamengo could reach its centennial milestone against Atlético-MG

Mengão is looking for a victory by more than two goals against Galo in the Copa do Brasil and if they reach the direct spot, they will achieve a feat for the coach.

Filipe Luís's Flamengo is close to reaching 100 goals and could achieve it against Atlético-MG - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo
Filipe Luís's Flamengo is close to reaching 100 goals and could achieve it against Atlético-MG - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo

06 Ago 2025 | 16:27 |

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Flamengo returns to the field this Wednesday (06), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), to face Atlético-MG, at Arena MRV, in a decisive clash for the round of 16 of the Copa Betano do Brasil . With an eye on the sixth title of the competition, Rubro-Negro sees the duel as a key moment for the season.


Beyond its sporting significance, the match could mark a symbolic milestone for Filipe Luís. Since taking over the team in October 2024, the former full-back has been a key player in an attacking and effective Flamengo team. According to Sofascore data, under his leadership, the team has scored 98 goals in 58 matches , an average of 1.69 goals per match. Now, the club is just two goals away from reaching the 100-goal mark under the current coach.


ARRASCAETA NECESSARY


Uruguayan Giorgian De Arrascaeta is the leading scorer of the "Filipinho Era," with 16 goals, and is a pillar of the team in the finals. Luiz Araújo and Bruno Henrique have also been excelling and are among the top scorers of the period, bolstering the red-and-black's attacking prowess.

With a skilled squad, solid performance, and a thriving attack, Flamengo arrives confidently to face Galo and fight for a spot in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals. Mengão needs to win by two goals to qualify without resorting to penalty kicks, which would guarantee the coach his centennial milestone.


PROBABLE LINEUPS

ATLÉTICO-MG: Everson; Saravia, Lyanco, Junior Alonso and Arana (Scarpa); Alexsander, Alan Franco, Scarpa (Igor Gomes); Ron, Hulk and Cuello. Coach: Cuca

FLAMENGO: Rossi; Emerson Royal, Leo Ortiz, Leo Pereira and Alex Sandro; Allan, Jorginho, Arrascaeta; Luiz Araújo, Samuel Lino and Pedro. Coach: Filipe Luis


Soccer

Exclusive: Sporting wants Flamengo's Léo Ortiz? We found out

Despite interest from European clubs, Mengão guarantees that it has not received any official proposal and that the player remains in the club's plans.

Sporting is investigating Léo Ortiz, but Flamengo is denying the offer and the defender is not considering leaving the squad now - photo: reproduction
Sporting is investigating Léo Ortiz, but Flamengo is denying the offer and the defender is not considering leaving the squad now - photo: reproduction

06 Ago 2025 | 16:14 |

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Defender Léo Ortiz has once again been linked in Europe, this time as a potential target for Sporting Clube de Portugal . According to Portuguese broadcaster SIC Notícias, the club is considering submitting a proposal in the region of €15 million, plus bonuses, to try to convince Flamengo to release the defender.


However, sources at the Rio de Janeiro club consulted by this report state that Flamengo has no interest in negotiating Léo Ortiz at this time, and that the player himself also has no desire to leave the club. Flamengo's board considers the defender an important player in the squad and intends to keep him for the remainder of the season.


SPORTING DOESN'T WANT LÉO ORTIZ IMMEDIATELY


When contacted by Sporting insiders, the response was straightforward: "Unlikely. The Portuguese club would have to sell one of the defenders. I don't think they'll buy any more ." This indicates that, although there is speculation surrounding Ortiz's name, there are no concrete negotiations at this time.

According to our findings, no official offer has yet reached Flamengo, reinforcing that, at least for now, the defender remains 100% focused on the Rubro-Negro. In fact, the Mais Querido is considering entering the market for a defender.


GERMAN TEAM PROPOSAL

Flamengo recently received an official offer from RB Leipzig of Germany for defender Léo Ortiz two weeks ago. The offer was around €15 million (approximately R$95.6 million), with €12 million fixed and €3 million tied to targets. However, Flamengo promptly rejected the offer.



Soccer

Who is the referee for Atlético-MG vs. Flamengo in the Copa do Brasil? See

Mengão faces Galo in the second leg of the round of 16 of the national knockout stage and the CBF defines the lineup with Rafael Klein in charge

Rafael Rodrigues Klein is the main referee for Atlético-MG x Flamengo in the Copa do Brasil - Photo: Reproduction/Flamengo
Rafael Rodrigues Klein is the main referee for Atlético-MG x Flamengo in the Copa do Brasil - Photo: Reproduction/Flamengo

06 Ago 2025 | 15:45 |

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Flamengo returns to the field this Wednesday (06) to face Atlético-MG, in the second leg of the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil. The match will be played at Arena MRV, at 7 pm (Brasília time), and will be refereed by Gaucho Rafael Klein , according to the schedule defined by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).


The organization also confirmed the entire refereeing team for the decisive match. The assistant referees will be Bruno Raphael Pires (GO) and Rafael da Silva Alves (RS) . The video referee will be Wagner Reway (SC). This will be Flamengo 's second match with Rafael Klein in charge.


FULL ARBITRATION SCALE
  • Main referee: Rafael Rodrigues Klein (RS)
  • Assistant 1: Bruno Raphael Pires (GO)
  • Assistant 2: Rafael da Silva Alves (RS)
  • Fourth referee: José Mendonça da Silva Junior (PR)
  • VAR: Wagner Reway (SC)
RAFAEL KLEIN'S EXPERIENCE WITH FLAMENGO IN 2025


So far, Rafael Klein has refereed only one Flamengo match this season: the 2-1 victory over Vitória in early April in the Brasileirão . In the Copa do Brasil, he was on the field last week for the goalless draw between CSA and Vasco in the first leg of the third round.

HOW WAS THE FIRST GAME?


In the first match between Flamengo and Atlético-MG, played at Maracanã, the Red-Blacks had the majority of possession but failed to find the net. The Minas Gerais team capitalized on a mistake by Léo Pereira when clearing the ball and scored through Cuello , securing a 1-0 lead.

NEXT CONFRONTATION

With the defeat in the first leg, Flamengo needs to beat Atlético-MG by two or more goals to guarantee direct qualification. If they win by one goal, the decision will be on penalties . This Wednesday's duel (06) starts at 7 pm, at Arena MRV, in Belo Horizonte.



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