
Soccer
08 Ago 2025 | 13:39 |
Flamengo entered the second transfer window of 2025 eager to strengthen its squad and spared no expense. After the sales of Gerson and Wesley, the club opened its coffers and invested heavily in signing four big names, totaling R$277.127 million, the club's largest ever transfer window spend. This information comes from GE.
The CBF implemented the transfer window system starting in 2022, and since then, the previous record belonged to the first transfer window in 2024, when Flamengo spent just over R$160 million . Now, that mark has been practically doubled.
Although the official calculation only takes into account the transfer window era, GE also reported spending since 2019—the year the club began investing more aggressively. In 2019, approximately R$185 million was spent on signings. In 2020, the highlight was the outright purchase of Gabriel Barbosa, for over R$90 million, totaling approximately R$170 million for the season . Even so, all these figures are far from the R$277 million disbursed now.
The investment nearly reached R$300 million and was directed at high-profile European football players, especially after president Luiz Eduardo Baptista (BAP) vetoed the signing of Mikey Johnston from West Bromwich. From then on, football director José Boto shifted focus and brought in more renowned names , signing Saúl, Emerson Royal, Samuel Lino, and Jorge Carrascal .
Colombian Carrascal , the latest addition to the squad, has already been registered and could make his debut on Saturday against Mirassol in the Brasileirão. Filipe Luís is expected to include him in the squad for the first time, as he wasn't registered in time for the Copa do Brasil round of 16 , but he's also cleared to play in the Libertadores. The reported figures do not include bonuses or commissions, and contractual bonuses are only included if targets are met.
The Argentine team begins training at Fluminense's training center and should play more defensively at Maracanã against Mengão this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm
17 Set 2025 | 15:15 |
Estudiantes is already in Rio de Janeiro for the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals against Flamengo , scheduled for Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã. The Argentine team trained at Fluminense's facilities , preparing for the decisive duel.
Coach Eduardo Domínguez tested a more conservative formation, including an extra defensive midfielder in midfield, as a strategy to contain Flamengo's attacks. According to Radio Província 1270 in La Plata, the change could result in only one striker on the field , demonstrating a more solid defensive posture.
Estudiantes ' likely lineup for the clash includes: Muslera; Gómez, Nuñez, Rodríguez, Arzamendia; Ascacibar, Piovi, Amondarain, Medina, Tiago Palacios; Carrillo.
It's not yet clear whether Piovi will play as an extra midfielder or be replaced by Castro . Amondarain, despite being an attacking midfielder, could drop back and act as a third midfielder, depending on Domínguez's strategy in recent training sessions.
With the prospect of a more closed Argentine team, Flamengo, under the command of Filipe Luís, will have to work hard to break down Estudiantes' defense and seek a positive result in the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals.
Rubro-negro evaluates changes in the starting lineup for the clash with the Argentine team this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm, for the Libertadores
17 Set 2025 | 14:49 |
Up front, Bruno Henrique is recovered and available to play, expanding coach Filipe Luís's offensive options. Plata and Luiz Araújo are also options at wing. Léo Ortiz returns to the defensive system after missing the match against Juventude.
A possible Flamengo lineup for Thursday has: Rossi; Emerson Royal (or Varela), Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas (or Viña); Allan (or De La Cruz), Saúl and Arrascaeta; Plata, Pedro (or Bruno Henrique) and Samuel Lino.
According to information gathered, the club's coaching staff is likely to opt for midfielder Jorginho, who is recovering from a muscle edema. Although he is fit to play, the club does not want to risk losing him for an extended period.
Without Jorginho, coach Filipe Luís is evaluating the best alternatives for the position. De La Cruz and Saúl are the main candidates to form a partnership with Saúl in midfield . The coach will lead the final training session before the match on Wednesday (17) to determine his replacement.
Another confirmed absence is left-back Alex Sandro, who is nursing a calf injury and will be unfit to play. Ayrton Lucas and Matías Viña are competing for the starting spot on the left wing.
Conmebol announces changes to the VAR process and will now be valid for the duel between Mengão and the La Plata club in the quarterfinals
17 Set 2025 | 14:10 |
Conmebol announced this Tuesday (16) an important new development for the quarterfinal stage of the Libertadores . From this stage onwards, the main referee will immediately communicate his decision to the entire public present at the stadium , ensuring greater transparency in the arbitration process.
This measure has already been used in the organization's competitions. In the 2024 Recopa Sudamericana, for example, the rule was applied experimentally . Now, it officially returns for the decisive matches of the Copa Libertadores.
The first duel between Flamengo and Estudiantes takes place this Thursday (18), at Maracanã, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time). The stadium will have a full house: All tickets were sold in advance , guaranteeing an estimated audience of around 69 thousand people.
The return leg is scheduled for September 25th in La Plata, Argentina, also at 9:30 pm (Brasília time). It will be broadcast on ESPN (pay TV) and Disney+ (streaming) . Fans can stay up to date with all the details of the match at Gazeta do Urubu.