Flamengo has last-minute absence to face Botafogo - check it out

Full-back Jorge, the new signing for Remo under executive director Marcos Braz , is experiencing a comeback in football. Discovered by Flamengo, he achieved national and international prominence, playing for clubs such as Palmeiras, Santos, Fluminense, and even in Europe , playing for Monaco, Porto, and Basel.

In France, with Monaco, Jorge won a French Championship title. Returning to Brazil in 2023, he signed with Fluminense, but suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee , which sidelined him for a long period. He later played for CRB, but played few games, with his last official match taking place on September 15, 2024.

At the press conference held last week, Jorge stated that he was physically recovered and available to coach António Oliveira: “ I am feeling very well physically , clinically too, that is the most important thing, after a very serious injury that I had at Fluminense… Today I feel good.”

PERIOD OF REFLECTION

Jorge, ex-Flamengo, reveals the reason for his career break: "I wanted to breathe a little"

Jorge revealed that he chose to take some time away from football to reflect and distance himself from stressful environments: “ When I arrived in Rio, after this contract I had at CRB , I decided that I wanted to breathe a little, get away from some environments through football, because I really went through a lot of things that only God knows.”

EXPERIENCE AND PASSAGE THROUGH THE NATIONAL TEAM

With extensive national and international experience, Jorge was also called up to the Brazilian national team in 2017 , playing a friendly against Colombia at Botafogo's Nilton Santos Stadium. The full-back arrives at Remo determined to regain his rhythm and contribute to the team.

Juventude could not resist the leader of the Brasileirão and was beaten 2-0 by Flamengo , last Sunday (14), at Alfredo Jaconi. After the match, coach Thiago Carpini highlighted the difference in level between the teams and praised the performance of Rubro-Negro .

Thiago Carpini after Flamengo's victory over Juventude: "The disparity is huge"

"Today we faced a Flamengo team that needs no comment. The disparity is huge, a team accustomed to shooting a lot and being imposing. We managed to limit their shots a bit, which shows that some of the combinations worked well ," said Carpini.

CARPINI JUSTIFIES CHOICES

The coach also explained why he chose Nenê and Alan Ruschel as starters. According to him, the idea was to prioritize possession and exploit set pieces , but the plan didn't pan out, largely due to Flamengo 's own style of play.

"It was more of a coincidence than a strategy, playing at home. Nenê gives us support and rhythm, as well as the set pieces. Alan played well, as did Hermes . We have a group, and we'll choose the best options based on our daily routine," added the Juventude coach.

SITUATION IN THE TABLE

With the victory, Flamengo reached 50 points and maintained its four-point lead over Palmeiras at the top . Juventude remains in 18th place with 21 points, within the relegation zone. In the next round, Flamengo faces Vasco, while Juventude visits Mirassol in São Paulo.

Marcos Leonardo, a 22-year-old striker , has decided to postpone any negotiations to return to Brazilian football. Despite interest from São Paulo, the player opted to remain with Al-Hilal until at least January 2026, keeping future opportunities in the domestic market open.

At Al-Hilal, the number 9 lost his place after the arrival of Darwin Núñez , signed from Liverpool. Under coach Inzaghi's guidance, Marcos Leonardo was not registered for the local league, but he will continue to play in the Asian Champions League, the main showcase for football in the Middle East, which keeps his name in the spotlight for interested parties.

São Paulo, which expressed interest in signing him, struggled to compete with foreign offers, which is Al-Hilal's priority in the event of a sale. In this context, Flamengo is closely monitoring Marcos Leonardo, considering him as an option to strengthen its attack in 2026.

PLAYER PREFERENCE

Internally, Marcos Leonardo has never hidden his desire to return to Brazil. Despite his stated preference for São Paulo, sources close to the striker indicate that Flamengo 's sports project and investment power could be decisive in a future negotiation.

FLAMENGO PLANS REINFORCEMENTS

At Gávea, Marcos Leonardo's name is being considered as part of a potential offensive overhaul. The club is planning offensive changes in 2026 and sees the forward as a young player with the potential for a significant technical return.