Soccer

Flamengo has its FIFA squad withdrawn due to injuries - understand

The March FIFA Data brought unexpected changes to the squad. Three of the club's players were withdrawn from their national teams, two due to injury.

Gerson, Arrascaeta and De La Cruz during games for their national teams before being disqualified on the FIFA date. (Photo/CBF)
Gerson, Arrascaeta and De La Cruz during games for their national teams before being disqualified on the FIFA date. (Photo/CBF)

23 Mar 2025 | 16:17 |

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Gerson was a starter in the Brazilian national team's match against Colombia, but had to leave the field in the first half. The midfielder felt pain in his left thigh while trying to pass and was immediately substituted. Initially, there was no confirmation of an injury, but given the persistent discomfort, the CBF decided to release the player. João Gomes was called in to replace him. With that, Gerson returns to Mais Querido to begin treatment and focus on recovery.


ARRASCAETA WILL CONTINUE WITH THE URUGUAYAN NATIONAL TEAM


Unlike Gerson, De Arrascaeta will remain with the Uruguayan national team, even after suffering a muscle injury in the victory over Argentina. The player had to be substituted in the first half and has since been undergoing treatment with the Celeste medical team. Although he will not be able to play in Uruguay's upcoming matches, Arrascaeta will remain part of the squad, postponing his return to Mengão . Flamengo is monitoring the situation closely, awaiting updates on how long it will take for him to recover.


DE LA CRUZ RETURNS AT BIELSA'S CHOICE

De La Cruz 's case is different from the others. The midfielder did not have any physical problems, but ended up being cut by coach Marcelo Bielsa's decision. The coach opted for a different strategy for the match against Bolivia, considering the altitude conditions at which the match will be played. With this, De La Cruz returns to CRF earlier than expected, which could bring forward his reintegration into the red-black squad. His return will be an important reinforcement for the team in the upcoming challenges.


The absence of players from national teams is usually a challenge for any team, and in the case of Flamengo, the withdrawals have different implications. De La Cruz's early return could be a relief for the coaching staff, while Gerson's recovery will require special attention. Arrascaeta's continued presence with Uruguay prevents a closer assessment of his physical development.

With De La Cruz back and the uncertain situation of Gerson and Arrascaeta, the Mais Querido coaching staff will need to adjust its planning. The club hopes to have the players back as soon as possible, but without compromising the full recovery of each one. Flamengo continues to monitor the players' conditions and should release an update on Gerson and Arrascaeta's clinical condition in the coming days. The priority is to ensure that both return in full shape to contribute to the rest of the season.


Soccer

Journalist claims Jorge Jesus wouldn't do a better job at Flamengo today

The Portuguese coach commanded Mengão in the historic year of 2019, but the analyst guarantees that the coach would not be able to make the current team play more

Journalist claims that Flamengo's current squad is not capable of playing better than in 2019 even if Jorge Jesus were the coach - Photo: Reproduction
Journalist claims that Flamengo's current squad is not capable of playing better than in 2019 even if Jorge Jesus were the coach - Photo: Reproduction

15 Ago 2025 | 17:30 |

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Flamengo is enjoying a great run of form under Filipe Luís, leading some fans to dream of a repeat of the historic 2019 season , when, under Jorge Jesus, the club won the Brasileirão and Libertadores. However, ESPN journalist Paulo Cobos considers the comparison hasty.


Paulo Cobos on the current Flamengo: "The Portuguese wouldn't make the current squad play better"


"The Flamengo of 2025 won't be as good as Jorge Jesus's 2019, and that won't be Filipe Luís's fault . The current team has many players who have rarely played professionally in Brazil. Expensive reinforcements, like Emerson Royal, have just arrived and are already being booed," he stated.


Cobos also highlighted the difference in attack: "Any quartet that Filipe Luís fields is far from the splendor of Arrascaeta, Everton Ribeiro, Bruno Henrique, and Gabigol. It's clear that Jorge Jesus, in 2019, was much more experienced than Filipe is today , but even at his peak, the Portuguese wouldn't have made the current squad play any better than that team."

COMPARISON IN NUMBERS
  • Flamengo 2019 (Jorge Jesus): 74 games | 49 wins | 16 draws | 9 losses | 73.4% success rate | Carioca, Brazilian and Libertadores Champion.
  • Flamengo 2025 (Filipe Luís): 49 games | 32 wins | 10 draws | 7 losses | 72.1% success rate | Leader of the Brasileirão and victory in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Libertadores.
NEXT CHALLENGE


Flamengo returns to the field this Sunday (17), at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), against Internacional, at Beira-Rio, for the 20th round of the Brazilian Championship. Mengão is the leader of the Brasileirão with 40 points , three more than the vice-leader, Cruzeiro, but with one game less compared to the Minas Gerais club.


Soccer

Conmebol defines refereeing for Internacional vs Flamengo in the Libertadores

Uruguayan referee chosen by the entity to command the second leg of the round of 16 between Mengão and Colorado

Conmebol appoints Uruguayan referee for duel between Internacional and Flamengo in the Libertadores - Photo: Reproduction/Conmebol
Conmebol appoints Uruguayan referee for duel between Internacional and Flamengo in the Libertadores - Photo: Reproduction/Conmebol

15 Ago 2025 | 16:30 |

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After beating Internacional 1-0 at Maracanã , in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Libertadores, Flamengo is preparing for the decisive duel of the return leg, this Wednesday (20), at Beira-Rio. Conmebol confirmed that Uruguayan referee Esteban Ostojich will be responsible for conducting the match .


In the 2025 edition of the tournament, the Uruguayan has already refereed seven matches. The VAR role will be handled by his compatriot Andres Cunha . This, however, is Flamengo 's first match refereeing by Ostojich in the current edition of the continental competition.


FLAMENGO'S RETROSPECT WITH OSTOJICH IN THE LIBERTADORES
  • 2021 – LDU (EQU) 2 x 3 Flamengo
  • 2022 – Flamengo 1 x 0 Corinthians
  • 2023 – Ñublense (CHI) 1 x 1 Flamengo
  • 2024 – Palestino (CHI) 1 x 0 Flamengo


In total, there were four Mengão games under Ostojich's refereeing, with two wins, one draw and one defeat .

HOW WAS THE FIRST GAME?


In the Maracanã match, played last Wednesday (13), Bruno Henrique scored, with a header, the winning goal for the red-black team in the first half. With the result, Filipe Luís' team can draw at Beira-Rio to advance to the quarterfinals .

RED-BLACK AGENDA

Before the decision for the Libertadores, Flamengo and Internacional meet again this Sunday (17), at 6:30 pm (Brasília time) , at Beira-Rio, for the 20th round of the Brazilian Championship. Mengão is the leader of the competition with 40 points, three more than the vice-leader, Cruzeiro, and with one game less than Raposa.



Soccer

Arrascaeta opens up about Filipe Luís at Flamengo: “they don’t value it…”

Midfielder acknowledges the intense pressure experienced at Mengão, but praises the coach's work, in addition to reinforcing good communication

Arrascaeta praises Filipe Luís's work in charge of Flamengo and talks about pressure - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo
Arrascaeta praises Filipe Luís's work in charge of Flamengo and talks about pressure - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo

15 Ago 2025 | 15:30 |

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Flamengo's top scorer this season , Arrascaeta gave a press conference this Friday (15), at Ninho do Urubu, and did not spare praise for coach Filipe Luís. The number 10 highlighted that the coach has been achieving results that others have not achieved at the club.


Arrascaeta on Filipe Luís at Flamengo: "Often they don't appreciate what Filipe is doing"


"We talk practically every day, sometimes before training, sometimes after. I'm happy with the work he's done here. We know Flamengo is different, the pressure is immense . They often don't appreciate what Filipe is doing with this team," said the Uruguayan, before adding:


"As qualified as the squad is, other coaches haven't been able to do what he's doing. It's a tribute to him. The way we play, the goals we score, and our defensive solidity . This is the result of his work. My respect for him goes beyond football," he concluded.

BEST MOMENT FOR THE CLUB?


In the 2025 season, Arrascaeta has scored 14 goals in 38 matches, enjoying a high level of technical development. Under Filipe Luís, the midfielder has begun to play more centrally in the attack , enhancing his skills. For many, this is the most impactful period of his career at Flamengo since arriving in 2019.

NEXT CHALLENGE

With Arrascaeta available, Flamengo faces Internacional this Sunday (17), at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), at Beira-Rio, for the 20th round of the Brazilian Championship. The duel opens the return leg of the competition and will serve as a preview for the decisive clash between the teams in the Libertadores , scheduled for next week.


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