Gabigol's future: With no atmosphere at Flamengo and interested clubs retreating, what does the number 99 look like for 2025?

Retired from the field since 2017, former midfielder Zé Roberto, who had a spell at Flamengoin the 90s, it is looking to buy 90% of SAF from São Bento, a club in São Paulo. According to GE, a meeting scheduled for this Wednesday night (18) could decree the sale of the Sorocaba team to the company Flash Forward, which belongs to the former player.

Zé Roberto is the main name of the company. However, the group also has partners such as former athlete Fransérgio and businessman Tiago Ribeiro (former CEO of Estoril). In addition to Flamengo, Zé played in Brazilian football with the shirts of Palmeiras, Santos and Grêmio. In Europe, the former athlete defended giants such as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

The offer is R$130 million, which would be paid in installments. This amount would be invested on a specific basis in the football team and the club’s structure. The project is to take São Bento to the elite of São Paulo football and Brazilian Series B in up to six seasons.

Revelation from Portuguesa-SP, Zé Roberto stood out at Lusa and caught the attention of Real Madrid in 1997. However, the player had difficulty fitting into the Spanish club and was loaned to Flamengo in 1998.

At Flamengo, Zé Roberto was a starter in the Campeonato Carioca competition, entered the field 23 times and aroused the interest of Bayer Leverkusen , leaving Gávea in the same season. As an athlete, the former midfielder also played in the 2006 World Cup for the Brazilian team.

Flaengo striker Luiz Araújo underwent successful surgery this Wednesday (13) to correct an osteochondral injury in his right knee. The procedure, carried out by doctor Max Ramos and accompanied by Márcio Tannure, head of the club's medical department, was necessary after the player fractured his cartilage during the derby against Vasco, last Sunday (10).

The osteochondral injury involves the cartilage, a tissue that covers the bones between the joints. In cases of separation, degeneration or rupture, the underlying bone may also be affected. This condition is common in joints such as the knee, ankle and elbow, and can cause pain and movement limitations.

Luiz Araújo suffered the injury in a dispute with left-back Lucas Piton, from Vasco. After the collision, the Mais Querido player needed medical attention and, although he tried to continue on the field, he was substituted in the 17th minute of the first half.

The red-black attacker's estimated recovery time is approximately two months. During this period, he will undergo an intensive process of physiotherapy and physical rehabilitation, with the expectation of returning in shape for the end of the season.

Flamengo's medical department is closely monitoring Luiz Araújo's progress, ensuring that the player has all the conditions for a full recovery. The team is also looking for alternatives to make up for the athlete's absence in the next important commitments, both in the Brasileirão and the Libertadores.

Flamengo idol, Gabigol seems to be experiencing a melancholic end at the club. The player has felt the board's lack of interest in renewing his contract and receives few minutes on the field under Tite's command. The situation, practically consolidated by the board, has irritated the attacker.

According to the portal Uol, which released information this Wednesday morning (18), Gabigol adopted a more reserved stance in training and has not presented the expected performance in terms of intensity and performance, which contributed to the loss of space, being passed over by Carlinhos.

The portal also highlights that Gabigol shows dissatisfaction with his current situation and, during training, arrives commenting on the little playing time he has received. With the lack of opportunities, the chances of reversing this scenario decrease.

Another factor that complicates Gabigol's situation at Flamengo are the statements made by the club's directors. When asked about the striker's future, the answer is that the chances of renewal are minimal. This stance is reinforced by the little use of the player by Tite.

In 2024, Gabigol started as a starter in just three matches, although he was listed for 33 games. Two of these opportunities were at Cariocão, and only one at Brasileirão. Furthermore, the number 99 has been deployed in midfield, without being tested as a center forward in the absence of Pedro, who is injured.

The striker has already sought more diligently for a place in the starting team, but the The sum of all these factors has discouraged Gabigol, who now sees the end of the season as a countdown to his last moments with the Flamengo shirt.

With the future undefined, there would still be the possibility of renewal, but the board's statements indicate otherwise. Marcos Braz, for example, has already stated that it is “unlikely” that Flamengo will extend Gabigol's contract.

The club even offered a renewal for another year, with a 50% salary increase. However, this was the established limit, and, without being able to demonstrate to Tite that he can still be useful to the squad, it is unlikely that a new proposal will be made.