JOÃO GOMES

A última rodada do Campeonato Espanhol antes das festividades de fim de ano prossegue neste sábado, 20 de dezembro. Após a abertura da jornada na sexta-feira (19) com o empate em 1 a 1 entre Valencia e Celta de Vigo, as atenções se voltam para o Santiago Bernabéu. A partir das 17h (horário de Brasília), o Real Madrid recebe o Sevilla em um duelo decisivo para as pretensões de ambas as equipes na tabela da LaLiga 2025/26.

As duas equipes chegam para o confronto deste fim de semana com sentimentos distintos herdados dos compromissos de meio de semana pela Copa do Rei. O Real Madrid, sob o comando do técnico Xabi Alonso, garantiu sua vaga nas oitavas de final ao superar o Talavera por 3 a 2.

Por outro lado, o Sevilla busca juntar os cacos e dar uma resposta ao seu torcedor. A equipe da Andaluzia foi surpreendida pelo Alavés e, após uma derrota por 1 a 0, acabou eliminada precocemente do torneio eliminatório nacional.

CAÇA AO LÍDER 

O Real Madrid entra em campo consolidado na segunda colocação, posto que não perderá nesta rodada independentemente do placar. Com 39 pontos (somando 12 vitórias, três empates e duas derrotas), os merengues estão quatro pontos atrás do líder Barcelona e mantêm quatro de vantagem sobre o Villarreal, terceiro colocado. O objetivo no Bernabéu é vencer para pressionar o rival catalão na briga pelo título.

SERVIÇO DO JOGO

Para os torcedores brasileiros que desejam acompanhar a partida, a transmissão será exclusiva via streaming. O duelo entre Real Madrid e Sevilla, válido pela 17ª rodada de LaLiga, será exibido ao vivo pela plataforma Disney+. A bola rola no Santiago Bernabéu pontualmente às 17h (horário de Brasília).

PROVÁVEL ESCALAÇÃO

Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Huijsen, Rüdiger e Fran García; Tchouaméni, Arda Güler e Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappé e Vinicius Jr. Técnico: Xabi Alonso.

Sevilla: Vlachodimos; Carmona, Cardoso, Gudelj, Castrín e Oso; Agoumé, Mendy e Sow; Peque e Isaac Romero. Técnico: Matías Almeyda.

The headquarters of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), in Rio de Janeiro, was the target of a Federal Police operation on Wednesday morning (30). The agents carried out a search and seizure warrant related to Operation Caixa Preta, which investigates alleged electoral crimes committed in Roraima. The president of the entity, Samir Xaud, was one of the targets.

CBF releases statement on the case: "The operation has no relation whatsoever with the CBF or Brazilian football"

Despite the police presence, nothing was seized, according to the CBF itself. The organization also stated, in an official statement, that the director " is not the focus of the investigation " and that the operation has no connection with football or the confederation.

INVESTIGATION IS CONNECTED WITH REPRESENTATIVE HELENA LIMA (MDB-RR)

According to the Federal Police, the operation focused primarily on Federal Deputy Helena Lima (MDB-RR), whose deputy is Samir Xaud in the Chamber . She is suspected of involvement in a vote-buying scheme. Ten search and seizure warrants were executed, and R$10 million was frozen in the accounts of those under investigation.

ACTION AT THE CBF WAS BRIEF AND WITHOUT SEIZURES

The investigation began during the 2024 municipal elections, when businessman Renildo Lima, the parliamentarian's husband, was arrested with R$500,000 in cash , part of which was hidden in his underwear. According to sources close to Samir Xaud, PF agents remained at the CBF headquarters for about 30 minutes. No material was seized during the operation.

In an official statement, the CBF declared: "The operation has no connection with the CBF or Brazilian football, and president Samir Xaud is not the focus of the investigation. The entity has not received any official information about the subject of the investigation . No equipment or materials were taken by the agents. The president remains calm and at the disposal of the authorities for any clarification."

Two young Brazilians on the rise on the international sports scene have demonstrated mutual admiration : 20-year-old driver Gabriel Bortoleto, in his debut season in Formula 1 with Sauber, and 18-year-old tennis player João Fonseca , who competes on the ATP professional circuit.

Gabriel Bortoleto on João Fonseca: "He is incredible"

In an interview with the official F1 website, Bortoleto was asked what career he would pursue if he weren't a driver. His response was good-natured: "I admire a Brazilian, João Fonseca . He's incredible. He's climbing the ATP rankings, and I think he'll be a future star ."

Despite his admiration for tennis, the Brazilian admitted that his experience in the sport is still limited. "Tennis is fascinating, I love watching it and I like the players' mentality , but I don't play it often. I play a lot of padel, but I need to start playing real tennis."

FOCUS ON FORMULA 1

When asked where he sees himself in five years, Bortoleto was blunt: " I'd like to be world champion ." According to him, being in F1 is already part of that process: "The best drivers in the world are here. I've always wanted to be here precisely to fight against them and, who knows, become the best one day."

A native of São Paulo, the driver began his karting career at the age of six and now rubs shoulders with some of the biggest names in motorsports. He also praised his team principal, Mattia Binotto , and highlighted the importance of idols like Ayrton Senna.

FRIENDSHIP WITH VERSTAPPEN

Bortoleto also revealed his closeness with current four-time world champion Max Verstappen. " Max and Ollie Bearman are the two guys I'm closest with in the paddock . I started playing video games with Max, and then we started training together on the simulator, back in the Formula 3 days."

According to the Brazilian, this friendship has evolved, and today the two share time off the track. " We have a group of friends with whom we play simulators . I'm even an ambassador for his team, Team Redline. Since then, we've spent a lot of time together—and it's been a lot of fun."