FLAMENGO DEFINE NAMES FOR THE JUNE WINDOW AIMING FOR THE LIBERTADORES OCTAVES

Full-backs Varela and Viña and midfielder Arrascaeta, all from Flamengo, showed up this Monday (2) in Montevideo to defend the Uruguayan national team. Marcelo Bielsa called the trio for the games against Peru , this Thursday (5), and Chile, on September 9, away from home, valid for the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

Despite his strong showing for the red-and-blacks, Nicolás de la Cruz was left out of the squad. According to Bielsa, the midfielder's absence is due to his limited playing time in recent months. Even after starting in the draw against Grêmio , the number 18 failed to regain enough playing time to earn a spot on the roster.

URUGUAYAN NATIONAL TEAM CAN CONFIRM QUALIFICATION

Uruguay heads into the doubleheader in a comfortable position. Bielsa's team only needs a draw to secure its spot in the next World Cup. The presence of Varela, Viña, and Arrascaeta reinforces the confidence of La Celeste, which relies on the support of players accustomed to making big decisions. Meanwhile, De la Cruz will remain focused on the club's training session, seeking to regain his place in both the starting lineup and the national team.

OTHER RUBRO-NEGROS ATHLETES IN THE NATIONAL TEAM

In addition to the Uruguayan trio, other Flamengo representatives will be on the field for their national teams. Carrascal was called up by Colombia, while Gonzalo Plata will represent Ecuador. Samuel Lino will wear the Brazilian national team jersey after replacing Matheus Cunha, who was ruled out due to injury.

With six players called up to different South American countries, the club remains prominent on the international stage. The number could have been even higher, but Alex Sandro, injured, was eventually removed from Carlo Ancelotti's squad.

The duel between Flamengo and Grêmio, held this Sunday (31) at Maracanã , ended 1-1 and left Mengão fans with a taste of frustration. While Mais Querido pressed in search of victory, the gaúchos managed to defend themselves consistently and take advantage of the counterattacks.

At a press conference, Mano Menezes detailed the plan he designed to stop the movement of Gonzalo Plata, one of the main players on the red-and-black team: "We created a line of five with the attacker outside the full-back to try to neutralize a movement that Plata does very well. We assigned Marlon to chase him almost until the end of the play. We sacrificed Kike Oliveira because he had to mark down low the whole time, and sometimes that costs dearly."

GRÊMIO BET ON THE RETRANCA

Despite their defensive solidity, Grêmio didn't escape the pressure. Arrascaeta opened the scoring for the home side in the second half, following a mistake in the opponent's clearance. The equalizer came late, with Volpi converting a penalty kick.

Mano Menezes acknowledged the risks the team took by relying so heavily on defense: "There are competent players on the other side, but Flamengo came out a little differently (in the second half). We couldn't handle the pressure anymore and we made two mistakes in the transition. You can't make a huge mistake in the transition because then you'll get a counterattack from the counterattack. We conceded the goal, but then we tried to find other solutions. We couldn't concede a second."

VOLPI TOOK GRÊMIO'S PENALTY

With Braithwaite already off the field, goalkeeper Volpi took responsibility for the penalty against Flamengo . The goalkeeper converted and secured the draw at Maracanã, earning public praise from Mano Menezes.

"He made a spectacular save against Ceará, he made two spectacular saves today. And when we had the penalty awarded, Braithwaite, our official penalty taker, was no longer there. I think it would be a huge burden for Cristaldo at that moment. I didn't want to give it to him. I know he would take on that responsibility, but Volpi trains very well, he takes the penalty well," concluded the coach.

Defender David Luiz, formerly of Flamengo and currently playing for Pafos in Cyprus, broke his silence after being accused of making death threats by his alleged ex-lover Francisca Karollainy Barbosa Cavalcante. The 37-year-old defender maintained that he never committed the alleged crimes and stated that legal action is already underway.

In a video posted on social media, the athlete highlighted: " I never threatened anyone, I never threatened this person, I was never with her in person, I was never at the hotel where she says I was. In fact, last week, the original email from the hotel was made available to the press confirming that I was never there."

DEFENDER'S STATEMENTS

During his statement, David Luiz admitted to having engaged in conversations with Francisca, but rejected any accusations of threats or personal encounters: " I was wrong to exchange messages with this person, but I never — never — threatened her or anyone else in my life. I have never been personally with this person."

The player reinforced that he is going through a difficult time, but that he hopes for the resolution of the case: " Legal measures are already being taken, and I hope that justice is done as quickly as possible, so that everyone knows the real truth ."

COMPLAINT REPORTS THREATS

The complaint came from Francisca Karollainy Barbosa Cavalcante, who claimed to have had an extramarital relationship with the defender. According to her, after the relationship ended, she began receiving threatening messages on Instagram.

In a police report, the young woman reported: " After the relationship ended, he began to constantly threaten me. I received, on Instagram, a message sent by David Luiz himself containing the following words: 'You know I have money and power, so don't play smart. It would be sad if your son had to pay the consequences of his actions. I can simply make you disappear.'"