
Soccer
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This Sunday (3), Flamengo will play the first match valid for the final of the Copa do Brasil, against Atlético-MG. The duel at Maracanã, at 4pm (Brasília time) marks the tenth time that Rubro-Negro has played in the final of the national tournament. In the nine previous opportunities, he emerged champion in four and lost only once in the first game.
The first time in that Flamengo reached the final of the Copa do Brasil in 1990, the second edition of the tournament. Rubro-Negro faced Goiás in the final and won the first game 1-0, with a goal from defender Fernando. The game was played in Juiz de Fora. Mengão won the first title in the competition that year.
The second opportunity was in 1997, drawing the first game againstGrêmio 0-0, at the old Olympic Stadium. Return game, at Maracanã, another 2-2 draw, with the Gauchos winning the cup based on the away goal criterion.
Flamengo and Cruzeiro reached the 2003 final, with a 1-1 draw at Maracanã. In the second game, the team from Minas Gerais won 3-1. The following year, Rubro-Negro went to its fourth final, drawing 2-2 in the first game against the surprising Santo André, in a game played at the old Palestra Itália. On the way back, one of the most embarrassing defeats in Fla's history, losing 2-0 at Maracanã.
Second conquest with ball over rival
In 2006, Flamengo reached its fifth Brazilian Cup final< /b>l, with only one title won. In the decision, Vasco, a great rival. In the first game, 2-0 for Mais Querido, with goals from Obina and Luizão. In the return game, another 1-0 victory, with a goal from left-back Juan, and the second championship. Both matches were at Maracanã.
Tri with an unforgettable goal from Amaral
In 2013, at the beginning of Flamengo's financial reconstruction, the team reached another Brazilian Cup decision. In the first match of the final against Athletico-PR, a 1-1 draw at Vila Capanema, Curitiba. The game was marked by midfielder Amaral's great goal, with a shot from outside the area. At Maracanã, Elias and Hernane Brocador secured their third title.
In 2017 , again a final against Cruzeiro. In the first game, a 1-1 draw at Maracanã. Paquetá scored Mengão's goal and Arrascaeta, a red-and-black idol, played for the Celeste team at the time and scored. On the way back, after a goalless draw, they lost on penalties by 5 to 3.
It's Tetra!
In 2022, Mengão, which had been enjoying a victorious era in recent years, was missing the Copa do Brasil title to crown the generation. In the final against Corinthians, a goalless draw at Neo Química Arena took the decisive act to Maracanã. Pedro scored for Mais Querido, but the São Paulo team equalized near the end and took the decision to penalties. With Rodinei scoring with the last kick, victory by 6 to 5 and fourth championship confirmed.
Flamengo x São Paulo: only defeat in first-leg games in Copa do Brasil decisions
In 2023, the current champion faced São Paulo, who had never won the Copa do Brasil. With a beautiful fan celebration at Maracanã, Sampaoli's team disappointed and lost 1-0, the only defeat in Flamengo's first games in the Copa do Brasil finals. On the way back, a 1-1 draw and title for the Morumbi team.
The Mais Querido coach was harshly criticized by the former player, who highlighted that despite the numbers below, the number 9 should be selected
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The Pedro and Filipe Luís case continues to generate controversy . Former Flamengo player Alecsandro appeared on the Panela SporTV program and expressed a strong opinion on the recent controversy involving the number 9 and the coach of the "Mais Querido" (Flamengo). The former athlete defended the striker and condemned the extensive use of technologies, such as GPS, to assess performance.
Alecsandro recalled his experience in the final stages of his career, when physical data often indicated he was the lowest on the team in sprints, speed, and movement. However, he emphasized that his role on the field as a center forward was much more specific and could not be evaluated in the same way as other players.
Alecsandro criticizes Filipe Luís: "I had a coach who didn't talk to the athlete and put the guy to play."
He continued: "Because the guy was performing well and had to play. On the other hand, when Filipe talks about the last in the physical part, the last in I don't know what... brother, Pedro is there to score goals. At the end of my career, I got this modern football with GPS. And I was always the last."
According to Alecsandro, the statistics used in soccer and training don't consider the true responsibilities and roles of each player on the field: "But I'd tell the guys: 'I'm going to score the goal and it'll end 2-1, 1-0, with a goal by me.' But I couldn't run faster than Marcos Rocha or Dudu. I was the last in my physical abilities," he said before adding:
But within the limits of my speed, I was good. So, from my perspective, he exaggerated a lot of what Filipe demanded. Pedro is a player who works in a specific area of the field, running 9 or 10 km, while a defensive midfielder runs 20 ," the former Flamengo player noted.
Thus, despite Alecsandro's criticism, coach Filipe Luís kept Pedro out of the list of players involved in the match against Santos, this Wednesday (16). Flamengo faces the São Paulo team at Vila Belmiro, at 8 pm, for the 14th round of the Brasileirão.
High numbers clash with the Italian club's financial demands; the striker already has an agreement with the Rubro-Negro and could be transferred within days
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Flamengo is keeping an eye on the transfer market and could invest heavily to strengthen its attack. Following the controversy surrounding Pedro , the club is evaluating its options and has entered the race to sign Taty Castellanos, a forward for Lazio and the Argentine national team. The information was initially revealed by journalist Venê Casagrande.
Valentín "Taty" Castellanos is 26 years old, Argentine, and currently plays for Lazio in Italy . A South American soccer sensation with notable stints at MLS clubs and Girona in Spain, the striker is known for his physical strength, intense movement, and eye for goal.
Lazio has indicated that it will only negotiate the player's transfer for €25 million—equivalent to approximately R$160 million at the current exchange rate. The amount is considered high by Brazilian soccer standards, but Flamengo is analyzing ways to make the investment viable. Castellanos and Flamengo have already reached an agreement: the contract length and base salary are aligned.
The Argentine, in fact, has reportedly expressed excitement about the possibility of playing in Brazilian football, specifically for the red-and-black team. The search for a new number 9 has intensified following the tension between Pedro and the club. The controversy surrounding the striker and assistant coach Filipe Luís has worsened the situation, and the player's departure is being considered behind the scenes. As a result, Castellanos's name has gained traction.
The player is on the radar of foreign clubs, but his departure depends on one clear condition: he will only be released in the event of a definitive offer.
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In recent days, a Middle Eastern team approached Flamengo with the intention of loaning Michael , but the Rio de Janeiro club's response was blunt: no . The proposal was rejected by president Luiz Eduardo Baptista, known as BAP, who ruled out any possibility of releasing the striker on loan.
According to journalist Jorge Nicola, Flamengo "is only willing to do business if there are definitive offers." The board believes the striker still has a market and will only leave Ninho do Urubu if concrete financial compensation is received.
Michael, nicknamed "Little Robot" by the fans, has expressed his desire to leave. With limited space under Filipe Luís, the striker was not included in the squad for the last match against Santos and remained in Rio to treat ankle pain. Internally, he has already informed the coaching staff that he prefers to seek new surroundings.
Despite this, Flamengo is being cautious. Michael's contract runs until 2028 and he earns one of the highest salaries in the squad, which limits his options on the market. One of the clubs monitoring the situation is Qatar's Al-Duhail, but no official offer has been submitted yet. The board is treating the situation cautiously. Although the player is considered negotiable, there is no rush to sell him.
Flamengo understands that Michael could be useful throughout the season if no advantageous offers emerge. Therefore, the refusal to loan him is strategic. The ideal scenario for Flamengo is to find a permanent buyer during this window, which would generate revenue and free up space on the payroll. However, with the Asian market still buoyant, the club has not ruled out further inquiries in the coming days.
Another name under the spotlight is Pedro . The number 9 is not having the best time at the club and was left out of the match against Santos after public criticism from coach Filipe Luís. His situation is seen as delicate . Palmeiras was even mentioned as interested, but ruled out any approach due to the game limit in the Brasileirão. Even so, negotiations with foreign clubs are still possible this window.