ICON OF SPORTS JOURNALISM, ANTERO GRECO DIES FROM A BRAIN TUMOR

Discussions about implementing financial fair play in Brazilian football continue to rage behind the scenes. This time, Flamengo's football director, José Boto, once again urged the CBF to implement the system in the country .

Flamengo's José Boto quips: "Financial fair play is something we should all do at home"

" People talk a lot about financial fair play, but they often don't know what it is . Financial fair play is something we should all practice at home: not spending more than we have. The problem is that some clubs engage in unfair competition, spending money they don't have, and leaving debts outstanding, including with players signed almost two years ago," he said in an interview with UOL.

Boto also highlighted that FIFA adopts strict penalties in cases involving European clubs, and argued that the same approach should be applied in Brazil: "When it involves European clubs, like Leixões or Estrela Amadora, FIFA takes action and they can't register anyone until they pay . This needs to be done here as well, otherwise it's unfair competition," he added.

FLAMENGO ALSO CHARGES INTERNACIONAL

In addition to the fair play debate, Flamengo is also actively involved in the CBF's National Chamber for Dispute Resolution (CNRD) . The club is suing Internacional for non-payment of Thiago Maia's purchase, which was made in 2024. The agreement was for €4 million (approximately R$25 million), divided into ten installments. However, almost two years later, with the midfielder already established in Porto Alegre, Flamengo has still not received the amounts owed.

WHAT IS FINANCIAL FAIR PLAY?

Financial fair play is a set of rules aimed at balancing clubs' finances, preventing them from spending more than they earn and avoiding excessive debt. Flamengo , which has been investing responsibly for years, is one of the supporters of this measure . On the other hand, clubs like Corinthians, Atlético-MG, and Botafogo could face difficulties in adapting to the system.

With the end of the 23rd round of the 2025 Brazilian Championship , a survey by the Mathematics Department of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) indicates that Flamengo, Cruzeiro and Palmeiras have 96.5% of the chances of winning the national trophy.

Flamengo leads the competition with 50 points in 22 matches played and has a 46.3% chance of winning the title . The red-black team beat Juventude away from home last Sunday (14), extending its lead in the table.

In second place, Cruzeiro has 47 points in 23 games and has an 18.9% chance of being champion . Raposa ended the round by defeating Bahia, away from home, by 2 to 1. Palmeiras , in turn, beat Internacional by 4 to 1 on Saturday (13) and reached 46 points in 21 games, with a 31.3% chance of winning the title.

OTHER CLUBS APPEAR ON THE LIST

In addition to the trio, Mirassol registers a 2.3% probability , while Bahia (0.75%), Botafogo (0.43%) and São Paulo (0.14%) appear with minimal chances. Fluminense (0.007%), Red Bull Bragantino (0.004%), Atlético-MG (0.001%), Corinthians (0.001%) and Eará (0.001%) complete the list with residual percentages.

FOCUS ON THE LIBERTADORES

Flamengo will 'disconnect' from the Brasileirão to face Estudiantes this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã. The duel marks the beginning of the knockout stage in the quarterfinals of the continental competition . The match will be broadcast live on ESPN, on pay TV, and on Disney+ for streaming.

Flamengo will have a special ingredient in the duel this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the quarterfinals of the Libertadores. Goalkeeper Agustín Rossi will meet Estudiantes again, the club where he played before arriving in Brazilian football .

Rossi on the duel between Flamengo and Estudiantes in the Libertadores: "The main thing is to keep ourselves mentally strong

At a press conference at Ninho do Urubu, the Argentine celebrated the team's recent progress and emphasized the importance of approaching each match with total focus . Mengão is the home team in the first leg and plays for its life away from home against the club from La Plata.

" We're coming off a big win in the South, in a place where Flamengo hadn't won in a long time . I always say the same thing: we take it one game at a time. Now, Thursday, is very important. Our home, our fans, a packed stadium, as we're used to. Then comes the derby on Sunday, but today we're only thinking about Thursday," he said.

TRUST IN MENTAL STRENGTH

For Rossi, the key to the match will be the red-and-black team's psychological preparation: "The main thing is to stay mentally strong, to prepare ourselves as best we can for this sequence. I know well what the Libertadores means to Estudiantes . And we know that there are no easy games in the competition, no matter where they are. On the field, we're 11 against 11, with tactical, technical, and physical determination. It will be a very competitive game, as it usually is in the Libertadores," he stated.

ADVANTAGE OF DECIDING AT MARACANÃ

The goalkeeper also emphasized the importance of opening the match at home against Nação: "We have the advantage of playing the first game at Maracanã. It's crucial to have a great performance to then seek qualification there . If we get a good result here, we have a good chance of reaching the semifinals. It'll be tough, but we're ready," he concluded.