Soccer

Flamengo does specific work with De la Cruz for the sequel

Jorginho's arrival and pre-Club World Cup injury had relegated the Uruguayan to the bench, but the Chilean's absence opens a door

Flamengo hopes to see physical improvement in De la Cruz after returning from a knee sprain - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo
Flamengo hopes to see physical improvement in De la Cruz after returning from a knee sprain - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo

11 Jul 2025 | 07:58 |

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With Flamengo's early elimination from the Club World Cup, it gave them time to prepare Nicolás De la Cruz for the marathon of matches in the second half of the year. Erick Pulgar's injury, out for up to three months after fracturing his right foot , increases the burden on the Uruguayan , who still requires physical care.


Pulgar underwent surgery in Chile and will return to Rio de Janeiro next week to continue treatment at the club. De la Cruz , who recently recovered from a left knee sprain suffered in May , returned to the pitch in the round of 16 of the World Cup, coming on as a late substitute.


FOCUS ON PHYSICAL MANAGEMENT
Flamengo coach on De la Cruz: "The goal is to enhance the recovery processes"


Even after recovering, the midfielder is unlikely to be available for all the games in the sequence, which includes the Brasileirão, Copa do Brasil, and Libertadores. This is because he lives with chronic synovitis in his right knee , which requires daily monitoring of his training load. Sometimes, the Uruguayan performs activities separately from the group and maintains a strengthening routine at home with support from the club's physiotherapist.

“The objective is to enhance the recovery processes with preventive approaches, increasing strength and power levels ,” explained Flamengo 's physical trainer, Diogo Linhares, to the 'ge' portal, before the most recent injury.


ALTERNATIVES AND HISTORY

Without Pulgar, Filipe Luís's options are Allan and young Evertton Araújo. However, the coaching staff expects De la Cruz to take the lead , at least in the most important matches. The midfielder was having a good season before his most recent knee injury.

Signed in early 2024 for over R$100 million, the former River Plate player is still looking for a run at Flamengo . His longest run as a starter in 2025 was eight games — in 2024, he had ten in a row. His use is expected to be monitored on a game-by-game basis.



Soccer

Farewell? Matheus Gonçalves makes a statement after Flamengo vs. Barcelona: "It was my last..."

The youth academy standout was present in the conquest of the intercontinental title and is now looking for a place in the squad led by Filipe Luís

Matheus Gonçalves lifts the U-20 World Cup trophy after a penalty shootout victory over Barcelona at the Maracanã - photo: reproduction
Matheus Gonçalves lifts the U-20 World Cup trophy after a penalty shootout victory over Barcelona at the Maracanã - photo: reproduction

24 Ago 2025 | 11:47 |

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In a packed Maracanã, Flamengo beat Barcelona on penalties 6-5 , after a thrilling draw in normal time, and secured their second U-20 World Cup title this Saturday (23). The victory consolidated the good moment of the red-black youth team, which once again overcame one of the main clubs in Europe .


Among the protagonists was Matheus Gonçalves , who had a special afternoon. The striker, about to say goodbye to the category, celebrated the achievement with emotion: "It was special. We were raised together since we were little, it has a special taste. My last title with the under-20. I have to congratulate Léo (Nannetti, goalkeeper) and Bruno (Pivetti, coach). It's the second Intercontinental and we are two-time champions. Very happy for everything", he declared.


MATHEUS GONÇALVES HAS COMPETITION


At 20 years old, having turned 20 on August 18th, the attacking midfielder will dedicate himself exclusively to the first team under Filipe Luís . In 2025, he made 15 professional appearances , including three goals in the Campeonato Carioca.

Despite the confidence of the coaching staff, Gonçalves has only played 313 minutes on the field this season , making his streak difficult due to the strong competition for position with Luiz Araújo, Samuel Lino and Gonzalo Plata.


EUROPEAN TEAMS MONITOR THE PLAYER

Interest in Matheus Gonçalves isn't new. The player was nearly traded to Cruzeiro for €3.5 million, but the deal fell through . However, foreign clubs remain vigilant: CSKA Moscow (Russia) and Olympiacos (Greece) are evaluating the possibility of formalizing offers before the international window closes in September.


Soccer

You can still get it! Learn how to get tickets for Flamengo vs. Vitória

More than 50,000 fans are expected to support Mais Querido, who will face the Bahian team this Monday in the Brasileirão.

More than 35,000 tickets sold for Flamengo vs. Vitória at Maracanã; attendance expected to exceed 50,000 fans - photo: reproduction
More than 35,000 tickets sold for Flamengo vs. Vitória at Maracanã; attendance expected to exceed 50,000 fans - photo: reproduction

24 Ago 2025 | 11:29 |

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Flamengo takes the field this Monday (25), at 9 pm (Brasília time), to face Vitória at Maracanã. The red-black fans promise to make a difference again, with more than 35 thousand tickets sold in advance . The expectation is that the public will surpass the 50 thousand mark present at the stadium. Tickets are still available for all sectors of the stadium, which reinforces the chance of a great party in the stands of the 'Sacred Temple'.


Those wishing to watch the match at the stadium can purchase tickets at ingressos.flamengo.com.br . Prices for the general public range from R$80 (R$40 half-price) to R$400 (R$200 half-price) . Members receive special discounts.


FLAMENGO DEFENDS LEADERSHIP


Flamengo heads into the match as the clear leader of the Brazilian Championship, with 43 points. Filipe Luís's team is enjoying a positive run , having gone six games unbeaten in the national competition.

Last week, the team secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the Libertadores by eliminating Internacional and, before that, beat the same opponent 3-1 at Beira-Rio, consolidating its good form in the current season.


VITÓRIA FIGHTS TO GET OUT OF THE Z-4

Vitória currently sits in 17th place in the table with 19 points. In their last match, they drew 2-2 with Juventude at Barradão Stadium . Previously, they lost 2-0 to São Paulo at Morumbis Stadium.


Soccer

Former Flamengo player Wesley scores and wins man of the match award on his Roma debut

The 21-year-old full-back scores in the second half, sealing the victory over Bologna and celebrating his first goal in the Roma shirt of the 25/26 season.

Former Flamengo player Wesley scores on his debut as a starter for Roma and secures victory in the opening round of the Italian Championship - photo: reproduction
Former Flamengo player Wesley scores on his debut as a starter for Roma and secures victory in the opening round of the Italian Championship - photo: reproduction

24 Ago 2025 | 10:55 |

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The 2025/26 Italian Championship started this Saturday (23) with a former Flamengo player standing out. 21-year-old right-back Wesley scored for the first time in a Roma shirt and secured a 1-0 victory over Bologna at the Stadio Olimpico.


The goal came just seven minutes into the second half. After a play from the right, the ball fell to Wesley inside the box. The Brazilian made no mistake: he fired a right-footed shot past the goalkeeper and sealed the victory for Roma.


The match against Bologna was Wesley's third in a Giallorossa shirt. Before the official match, he played two preseason friendlies, against Lens and Aston Villa. In his Serie A debut, the player earned the coach's trust and was named in the starting lineup.


MILLION DOLLAR SALE OF FLAMENGO

Wesley was traded to Flamengo in July of this year for a fixed fee of €25 million (approximately R$163 million) . The deal also includes bonuses for goals that can reach an additional €5 million (R$32 million). This makes the transaction the fourth-largest transfer in Flamengo's history, behind only the deals involving Vinicius Júnior, Lucas Paquetá, and Reinier.


BASE TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION

Flamengo's youth academy is known for developing big names. Thus, the team became two-time world champions last Saturday afternoon (23), winning the title in the final against Barcelona . The match went to penalties after a 2-2 draw in normal time.


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