Flamengo idol, Zico reveals emotion with FERJ tribute: “honored”

Flamengo has been one of the protagonists of the current transfer window , with major reinforcements arriving to strengthen the squad. However, the intense movement could result in a restructuring of the group and the departure of some players. According to journalist Renato Maurício Prado, Everton Cebolinha and Michael are among the players the club is considering negotiating .

On his YouTube channel, Renato revealed a conversation with a source linked to the red-black board, who confirmed the intention to reduce the squad , now inflated by the return of injured athletes and new signings.

Renato Maurício Prado on negotiating Cebolinha and Michael: "Flamengo wants to do this"

"Players who were injured are returning. Flamengo will be left with two and a half teams. That's a lot of people to manage. I told the source that the club may part with players like Michael and Cebolinha ."

MARKET DOESN'T SMILE ON THE DUO

According to Renato, the board's desire is to find new destinations for both forwards, but the task has been difficult: "The source told me: ' Flamengo wants to do this, but it's not easy because there are no concrete offers .' Since they have already played in more than seven Brasileirão games, they cannot play for another club in the competition this year. Therefore, the exit would have to be abroad."

FLAMENGO INVESTS HEAVILY IN THE MARKET

After losing Gerson and Wesley, Rubro-Negro acted quickly and brought in four reinforcements : Samuel Lino, Saúl Ñíguez, Emerson Royal and announced on Saturday (2) the arrival of Carrascal. In addition to them, Jorginho was hired with a focus on the Club World Cup.

With a strengthened squad, Flamengo is preparing for the most decisive stretch of the season. Leading the Brazilian Championship, the club faces two knockout challenges: overturning its deficit against Atlético-MG in the Copa do Brasil and facing Internacional in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores.

Flamengo returns to the field this Sunday (3) to face Ceará, for the 18th round of the Brazilian Championship, at Arena Castelão. For the duel, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) defined the refereeing team, with Rodrigo Jose Pereira de Lima, from Pernambuco, chosen as the main referee . Alongside him will be Neuza Ines Back (SP) and Francisco Chaves Bezerra Junior (PE) as assistants. The command of the VAR will be the responsibility of Ilbert Estevam da Silva (SP).

FULL ARBITRATION SCALE

• Main referee: Rodrigo Jose Pereira de Lima (PE)
• Assistant 1: Neuza Ines Back (SP)
• Assistant 2: Francisco Chaves Bezerra Junior (PE)
• Fourth referee: Tarcísio Flores da Silva (PE)
• VAR: Ilbert Estevam da Silva (SP)

REFEREE'S FIRST MATCH WITH FLAMENGO IN 2025

This will be Flamengo 's first match in 2025 refereed by Rodrigo Jose Pereira de Lima . Despite this, the referee has already officiated previous matches for the Rubro-Negro, such as the 0-0 draw with Palmeiras at Allianz Parque in the 2024 Brasileirão.

TEAMS' SITUATION IN THE TABLE

Flamengo enters this round as the leader of the Brasileirão, with 36 points, two more than second-placed Cruzeiro, but with a game in hand . Ceará, meanwhile, sits in tenth place with 21 points. Mengão relies on its strong away record to emerge victorious.

FLAMENGO'S NEXT COMMITMENT

The match against Ceará takes place at 6:30 pm (Brasília time) at Arena Castelão, marking another step for the Red-Blacks in their fight to maintain their position at the top of the table. The match will be broadcast on Record (free-to-air TV), Cazé TV (YouTube), and Premiere (pay-per-view) .

This Sunday night (03) promises to be full of strong emotions for the red-black fans. Flamengo faces Ceará, at 6:30 pm (Brasília time) , at Arena Castelão, for the 18th round of the Brazilian Championship. For the clash, coach Filipe Luís will have eight absences and three players suspended .

FLAMENGO'S SHORTAGES

Rubro-Negro has a long list of absences for the match, and will not be able to count on : Erick Pulgar (surgery on his right foot), Danilo (injury on his right thigh), Michael (pain in his left ankle), Everton Cebolinha (tendinitis), Luiz Araújo (preserved due to load control), Matheus Cunha (patellar tendinitis in his left knee), Pedro and Wallace Yan (suspended due to a third yellow card).

HANGING PLAYERS

Three athletes enter the field with the risk of suspension for the next round. Allan, Jorginho and Léo Pereira are suspended with two yellow cards and, if they receive the third, they will be out of the duel against Mirassol, on Saturday (09).

FLAMENGO GAINS REINFORCEMENTS

Despite the absences, Filipe Luís will have important reinforcements. For the first time in the 2025 Brasileirão , Saúl Ñíguez, Emerson Royal, Samuel Lino, and Victor Hugo were included in the squad, and they are available again. The number 16 has a good chance of starting this match.

TRANSMISSION AND CLASSIFICATION

The match between Ceará and Flamengo will be broadcast live on Premiere (pay-per-view). Flamengo leads the Brasileirão with 36 points from 16 games , while Cruzeiro, in second place, has 34 points and a game in hand. Ceará is in 10th place with 21 points.