Grassroots Soccer

FLAMENGO LOOKS FOR UNPRECEDENTED LIBERTADORES U-20 TITLE IN 2024

Team led by Mario Jorge travels to Uruguay on Wednesday (28)

Photo: Reproduction
Photo: Reproduction

26 Fev 2024 | 12:29 |

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The Boys do Ninho of the Under-20s embark on another challenge in 2024. Season with a full calendar, competing in all possible competitions, Flamengo travels on Wednesday to the Conmebol Libertadores dispute, in Uruguay. Coach Mario Jorge spoke about the preparation and what he expects from the team, which is in group C together with Aucas-EQU, Sporting Cristal-PER and Defensor-URU, based in Maldonado.


Since the return of the Copa São Paulo of Junior Football, and representing the professional team in the Campeonato Carioca at the end of January and contributing to the undefeated campaign in the competition, Mengão's U20s have already been preparing for the main tournament of 2024. In the last week before the trip to Maldonado, the preparation intensified. Although Mengão's debut will be on 03/04, at 6pm (Brasília time), the delegation travels this Wednesday (28th) to Uruguay to follow Conmebol protocols.



GAROTOS DO FLAMENGO LEAVES BRAZIL WITH VICTORY


The Garotos do Ninho faced Madureira during this phase of the team's preparation for the Conmebol Libertadores, winning 4-0 with goals from Weliton (2x), Zé Welinton and Wallace Yan . The team took a 3-0 lead in the first half.

- We were able to contemplate everything we had planned for that moment. Having the boys down here, especially Rayan, Lorran and Carbone returning from professional training, gave a greater balance to the team that missed these players a little. With Madureira's U20s we behaved very well. We defined there what the teams would do in each half. So the first half was very good and the second half too, but the first half had a little advantage – said the coach who also added:


- There are still some things to happen until then. Some players had a virus, others were injured, but they will have time to be treated until then. However, I think we managed to take care of everything. We surround ourselves with all possible physical, clinical, technical and tactical care, and I believe that we will reach a position to grow within the competition itself. I expect a very committed, very competitive team, where the boys are very committed to what they have to do. So I believe that we will deliver a very cool competitive level, which is necessary for the Libertadores. We have everything to do well in the competition.

Mengão will debut in Conmebol Libertadores next week, on 4/03, against the local team: Defensor-URU, at 6pm. The second round of group C will be against Aucas-EQU, at 3pm, on 7/03, and Flamengo closes the group stage on 10/03, against Sporting Cristal-PER, at 3pm. All games will be at the Domingo Brugueño stadium, in Maldonado.







Grassroots Soccer

Flamengo signs goalkeeper from Avaí and his characteristics are impressive

Mengão continues its restructuring of its youth teams and has signed a 1.94m tall goalkeeper, even though he is only 15 years old.

Flamengo signs goalkeeper Nícolas, from Avaí, for the under-15 team and his height is impressive - Photo: Reproduction
Flamengo signs goalkeeper Nícolas, from Avaí, for the under-15 team and his height is impressive - Photo: Reproduction

06 Set 2025 | 19:00 |

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Flamengo has signed 15-year-old goalkeeper Nicolas, who previously played for Avaí. Born in February 2010, the young goalkeeper stands 6'4" tall and is projected to grow to 6'7" . According to the FlaZoeiro profile, Flamengo acquired 10% of the player's economic rights, with a purchase option of up to 70%. The transaction value was not disclosed.


Nicolas signed a youth development contract with Flamengo until December 2027 and will strengthen the under-15 team. The goalkeeper caught the attention of the Flamengo youth academy due to his technical and physical performance in Avaí's youth academy.


REFORM IN THE RUBRO-NEGRA BASE


Going through a period of restructuring, Flamengo remains active in the youth academy market. Recently, the club won its second U-20 World Cup with a historic victory over Barcelona , and is already making significant changes to its roster.

Among the departures, midfielder Lorran was traded to Pisa (ITA), while Matheus Gonçalves signed with Al-Ahli (SAU). As for arrivals, Mais Querido signed striker Guilherme Barbosa , formerly of Internacional, and midfielder Kaio Júnior, who was at Juventude after a stint at Vasco.


YOUNG MAN WHO 'HUMILIATED' VINI JR ALSO HIRED

In addition to Nícolas, the club also signed midfielder Marcelo Portela, a standout from Botafogo, to bolster the under-15 team. The youngster became famous after a viral move , when he performed a disconcerting dribble on Vini Jr., leaving the Real Madrid star sitting on the floor.


Grassroots Soccer

Flamengo signs young man who 'bent' Vini Jr in 2024

Mengão remains active in bringing reinforcements to the youth teams and has signed a deal with the player who was involved in a move with the Real Madrid star.

Marcelo Portela starred in a move where he 'humiliated' Vini Jr and has now been hired by Flamengo - Photo: Reproduction
Marcelo Portela starred in a move where he 'humiliated' Vini Jr and has now been hired by Flamengo - Photo: Reproduction

06 Set 2025 | 10:00 |

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Flamengo continues to restructure its youth academy and has confirmed another new signing. The club has signed Botafogo star midfielder Marcelo Portela to bolster its under-15 squad . The youngster became famous after a viral move, when he pulled off a stunning dribble on Vini Jr., leaving the Real Madrid star sitting on the floor.


The incident took place in July 2024 , during a futsal game at Canto do Rio, in Niterói, where Vini took his first steps in football at the age of seven. On that occasion, Marcelo Portela not only outplayed the 2024 world player of the year, but also scored the goal in the sequence of the play .



Despite the dribble, Vini took it all in stride: he laughed at the play, congratulated the young talent, and even posed for photos with him after the match . Information about the club's new signing was initially reported by the FlaZoeiro and FlaBase pages.

TRAINING CONTRACT WITH FLAMENGO


Because he was born in 2010 and is not yet of legal age to sign a professional contract, Marcelo Portela signed a youth development contract with Flamengo . The agreement also provides for a division of rights with Botafogo, his previous club.

AND VINI JR?

While watching the incident with Marcelo Portela continue to resonate, Vini Jr. is enjoying some downtime. Suspended from the match against Chile and not called up by Carlo Ancelotti , the striker took advantage of his time off to relax in Marbella, Spain, where he was spotted cruising on a yacht.



Grassroots Soccer

Flamengo continues the process of restructuring the U-20 after the World Cup

Even with the title won over Barcelona at Maracanã two weeks ago, Mengão continues to 'clean up' the youth team

Flamengo continues the restructuring process at the youth level after winning the U-20 World Cup - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo
Flamengo continues the restructuring process at the youth level after winning the U-20 World Cup - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo

03 Set 2025 | 15:00 |

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Flamengo's under-20 team won its second Club World Cup title in the category on August 23, defeating Barcelona (ESP) on penalties. Shortly after the title, the board began a comprehensive overhaul of the youth squad , which has already resulted in the departure of more than 20 players.


According to information from YouTuber Flazoeiro in partnership with Flabase, 23 players have left the club in recent months . Because part of the negotiations involves buyout clauses, Flamengo could earn more than R$100 million if the teams choose to keep the players.


WHO LEFT FLAMENGO
  • Goalkeepers: Caio Barone and Lucas Furtado
  • Fullbacks: Guilherme Brito, Ainõa and Luiz Phellipe
  • Defenders: Felipe Vieira, Wesley Juan, Julio Neto, Marcos and Lucyan
  • Midfielders: Joan Orellana, Luis Aucélio, Kauan Menegatti, Rayan Lucas, Lorran and Matheus Gonçalves
  • Attackers: Adriano Joya, Fred Mundoco, Felipe Lima, Lucas Oliveira, Lipão, Rafael Couto and Shola
MAIN EXITS


The most prominent names among those who said goodbye were Lorran and Matheus Gonçalves, considered great promises from the red-black youth teams and who ended up playing in the main team led by Filipe Luís.

  • Matheus Gonçalves: sold definitively to Al Ahli (SAU) for 8 million euros (R$ 51 million), corresponding to 100% of the economic rights.
  • Lorran: loaned to Pisa (ITA) for one season, with a mandatory purchase clause of 4 million euros (R$ 25 million) for 50% of the transfer fee.
MOVEMENTS IN THE MAIN CAST


Flamengo also saw significant departures from its professional squad. Zenit (RUS) paid Gerson's release clause, paying €25 million (approximately R$160 million) upfront. Wesley was also traded to Roma (ITA) for €25 million, and Victor Hugo agreed to a loan deal with Santos, valid until July 2026.


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