“Flamengo was the only one…” - Zinho opens up about the Club World Cup

Acquitted on July 31, 2025 , Lucas Paquetá is now experiencing relief after a long, emotionally exhausting—and financially costly—trial: approximately R$5.2 million. Faith, family support, and trust in a renowned British law firm were the pillars that sustained the midfielder during the nearly two years of tension caused by the accusation of involvement in sports betting. This information is from journalist Cahê Mota.

The most symbolic moment of this journey occurred on May 4th, during a Premier League match against Tottenham. Upon receiving a yellow card, Paquetá burst into tears on the field. By then, the trial had already concluded, but the sentencing date had not yet been set —which fueled the player's anxiety and emotional tension.

CAREER AT RISK AND PRACTICALLY PARALYZED

Since the allegations surfaced in August 2023, the Flamengo youth player saw negotiations with Manchester City collapse, was left out of the national team under Fernando Diniz, returned under Dorival Júnior, and ended up missing from Carlo Ancelotti's first squad . All this while the process continued amid uncertain deadlines, changes in the English FA's protocol, and a lengthy evaluation by an independent commission.

During this period, Paquetá decided not to seek professional psychological support . Instead, he immersed himself in spirituality as a way to keep his mind steady. Bible verses shared with his wife on social media became routine—even after his acquittal—as a response to criticism, memes, and insults linking him to the scandal.

BRITISH DEFENSE, HIGH COSTS AND FAVORABLE VERDICT

The defense was led entirely by the British law firm Level, which specializes in complex sports cases. The investment of approximately 700,000 pounds (R$5.2 million) proved to be a good one . In May, the lawyers were already indicating a positive scenario, given the prosecution's lack of conclusive evidence. Even so, the risk was extreme: either a complete acquittal or a permanent ban from football.

West Ham, in solidarity, covered part of the legal costs. Now, with the acquittal complete, the lawyers must seek restitution of part of the amount from the English Football Association . However, legal action against the governing body is unlikely, as foreign Premier League players sign a waiver that prevents them from suing the association for libel, defamation, or moral damages.

Flamengo has made progress in negotiations to sign Lucas Beltrán . The Rio de Janeiro club reached an agreement with Fiorentina involving a fixed offer of €12 million, plus an additional €3 million tied to performance targets , totaling €15 million, equivalent to approximately R$95 million. Although the offer was accepted by the Italian club, the final decision rests with the striker.

According to information from the Italian press gathered by Gazeta do Urubu along with reporter Pablo Oliveira, the Argentine player has shown greater receptiveness to the idea of playing for Flamengo . Although he has not yet made a final decision, sources indicate that, if no relevant offers emerge from Europe in the coming days, Beltrán is likely to accept a transfer to Brazilian football.

Fiorentina, for its part, has adopted a respectful stance toward the player and will not force him to leave the club, leaving the decision to his discretion. Flamengo 's proposed plan focuses on the forward's potential for prominence in Brazil, as well as the international exposure the club offers.

MAJOR HIRINGS ARE EXCITING

The good moment experienced by the squad, with recent signings such as Samuel Lino, Emerson Royal and Saúl Ñíguez , reinforces the idea that South American football is increasingly competitive and attractive to names that previously prioritized the European scene.

FLAMENGO AWAITS DEFINITION

Flamengo 's board understands that the decision requires caution and continues to wait calmly. Internally, there is optimism that the sporting offer will convince Lucas Beltrán to begin a new phase of his career in Brazil . If confirmed, the player will join other prominent names who have chosen to return to South America in search of immediate prominence.

Wallace Yan's intense stance became a topic of conversation again after the clash between Flamengo and Atlético-MG, last Thursday (31) , at Maracanã, for the first leg of the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil. The 20-year-old striker received a yellow card for getting involved in an argument with opponents, including Lyanco, and was again the target of external criticism.

Despite this, coach Filipe Luís adopted a firm stance in his defense, highlighting his personality as a key factor in his performance on the field. In a press conference following the 1-0 defeat, Luís commented on the number 29's behavior and made it clear that he has no intention of suppressing his style of play.

" I think Wallace is the player he is because of his character and personality. It's him, his style. He doesn't have to change; he has to continue being him," the coach stated. He added that the athlete "ignites the game" and that his style can irritate opponents, but shouldn't be seen as a negative, as long as it doesn't cross the line into violence or insults on the field.

CONFLICT BETWEEN WALLACE AND PLAYERS

Wallace's yellow card was a result of an argument with Lyanco shortly after coming on in the second half. Furthermore, the striker was the target of taunts while recovering from a collision. After the match, striker Hulk tried to talk to Wallace , but things got heated and the youngster had to be removed by teammates.

SPEECH BY FILIPE LUÍS

The relationship between Hulk and Wallace had already been the subject of a conversation caught on camera during the previous match between the teams. At the time, the coach himself had already indicated that he was familiar with the Flamengo striker's profile.