Flamengo vs Vasco: Where to watch, time and probable lineups in the Brasileirão

Corinthians continues to eye the transfer market to strengthen its squad for next season . Prevented from registering players during this transfer window due to FIFA's transfer ban, the club only secured the arrival of Vitinho and is already planning for the future with another former Flamengo player in its sights.

One name that has returned to the table is Gabriel Barbosa, known as Gabigol, currently Kaio Jorge's backup at Cruzeiro. The former Flamengo striker, who had already been targeted by Corinthians earlier this year , has been linked again this week.

POSITION OF CRUZEIRO AND GABIGOL

Despite behind-the-scenes discussions, Cruzeiro's SAF owner, Pedro Lourenço (Pedrinho BH), has no intention of negotiating the player. Even so, according to journalist Samir Carvalho of the Café do Setorista channel, Gabigol made his position clear: the 29-year-old striker would be "dying to wear the Corinthians jersey" in 2026 .

For the deal to move forward, however, Cruzeiro would need to release the funds. Corinthians, facing financial difficulties, would be unlikely to be able to afford the termination fee , and they are currently facing a transfer ban.

GABIGOL AT FLAMENGO

Former Flamengo player Gabigol left Rio de Janeiro at the end of 2024 after losing his place, despite being instrumental in historic victories such as the 2019 and 2022 Copa Libertadores , scoring goals in both finals. A national idol, the striker is now trying to rebuild his career in Belo Horizonte.

Striker Lincoln, revealed by Flamengo, is once again free on the market . At 24 years old, the player terminated his contract with Athletic-MG, after four months without playing . The termination was made official this Friday (19), in the CBF's Daily Information Bulletin (BID).

His last appearance on the field was on May 12th, in the final minutes of a Série B match against Botafogo-SP . Since then, he hasn't received any new opportunities and has been left out of the coaching staff's plans. His last goal had come in April, against CRB. The arrival of Portuguese coach Rui Costa further reduced his chances, resulting in a low-key stint at the Minas Gerais club.

FROM THE PROMISE AT FLAMENGO TO THE SEARCH FOR A NEW BEGINNING

A product of Flamengo 's youth academy, Lincoln quickly earned a place in the first team. He won major titles, including two Brazilian championships, the 2019 Copa Libertadores , the Recopa Sudamericana, and the Supercopa do Brasil, totaling 63 appearances, eight goals, and three assists for the club.

After leaving the club in 2020, he moved to Vissel Kobe in Japan, where he remained for three seasons . In 2022, he played for Cruzeiro, being part of the Serie B championship-winning squad. More recently, he played for SCR Altach in Austria before returning to Brazil to play for Athletic Club.

Uncertain future

Now without a club, Lincoln is seeking a new destination to revive his career. While still young, the striker carried the label of a promising prospect at Flamengo, having risen to the professional level alongside Vini Jr., and he hopes to find his place again to regain consistency and confidence on the field.

Gonzalo Plata is cleared to play in the second leg of the match between Flamengo and Estudiantes in Argentina. CONMEBOL decided to nullify the red card given to the Ecuadorian, keeping only the yellow . The decision, however, was the target of strong criticism from journalist Felipe Diniz, who called the organization's attitude "unacceptable."

Diniz on the cancellation of Flamengo's Plata's red card: "The withdrawal of Plata's card is something that, for me, is unacceptable"

"Was the refereeing terrible? It was terrible. Was Flamengo harmed? It was harmed. Now, the withdrawal of Plata's card is something that, for me, is unacceptable ," Diniz said.

According to the commentator, Andrés Rojas' poor performance should be considered a human error, with no indication of punishment for the Colombian referee. Flamengo, however, maintains the opposite position, believing that the referee's conduct was biased and went beyond normal refereeing errors .

CRITICISM OF CONMEBOL'S POSITION

Felipe Diniz reinforced that the decision raises questions about how CONMEBOL intervenes after on-field errors: " I think it's shameful that CONMEBOL, after a serious referee error, took this action . Taking upon itself the responsibility of correcting something that happened on the field. And, worse, errors like this happen in several South American competitions and don't have the same outcome."

A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT

For the journalist, the overturning of the expulsion sets a delicate precedent for the rest of the competition: "This will certainly cause a lot of problems. Any club that feels wronged from now on will use this case as an argument to request a review . It's a very dangerous precedent, it creates a lot of controversy."

IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME

Despite Diniz's complaints, this isn't the first time CONMEBOL has overturned an unfair card. In the 2018 Copa Libertadores, Cruzeiro defender Dedé was unfairly sent off against Boca Juniors after accidentally colliding with goalkeeper Andrada.

The expulsion generated significant backlash, and then-president of the Refereeing Committee, Wilson Seneme, acknowledged his mistake. CONMEBOL's Disciplinary Court lifted the suspension, and the defender was allowed to play in the second leg .