UNFORGETTABLE GAME! REMEMBER HOW THAT SANTOS 4X5 FLAMENGO WAS 12 YEARS OLD THIS THURSDAY

Flamengo and Cruzeiro are close to formalizing the sale of Matheus Gonçalves . The clubs have already reached an agreement on the transaction value, set at €3.5 million, representing 50% of the player's economic rights. The only remaining issue before finalizing the deal is defining the payment method.

The transaction is expected to be completed in the coming days, as both parties consider the deal to be on track. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder has accepted the terms of the contract and is only awaiting the formalities before being announced by the Minas Gerais team. Matheus Gonçalves has made 36 appearances for Flamengo's first team, scoring four goals.

A YOUNG MAN WHO CALLS ATTENTION

Without a place in Flamengo's first team, Matheus Gonçalves had been playing for the U-20s by his own decision, aiming to maintain his match fitness. Last Thursday, he scored twice in a 2-2 draw against Botafogo in the Brazilian Championship. His average minutes per game were low, which made it difficult to achieve a consistent run of performances. Even so, he is considered a gem of the youth academy for his technique and mobility.

CRUZEIRO BETS ON GONÇALVES

The strong performance reinforced Cruzeiro's interest, which had been monitoring the player in recent weeks. Coach Leonardo Jardim , who was directly responsible for the signing, sees immediate potential in the youngster and believes he can compete for a spot in the starting lineup. Matheus Gonçalves' arrival at Toca da Raposa fulfills a request from Portuguese coach Leonardo Jardim.

Enchanted by the player's technical ability and versatility, the Cruzeiro manager has prioritized his name in this transfer window. Jardim sees Gonçalves as a strategic asset to the team's attacking sector. The youngster can play as a midfielder or winger, which is appealing given the possibility of tactical variations during games.

Márcio Tannure, a well-known figure among Flamengo fans and a fixture in Flamengo's medical department for over two decades, has been announced as the new head of medical services at Al-Wasl SC in the United Arab Emirates. His arrival at the Middle Eastern club comes at the invitation of coach Luís Castro, formerly of Botafogo.

The move marks the first international assignment for Tannure, who left Flamengo earlier this year following an internal restructuring led by club president Luiz Eduardo Baptista, known as Bap. The Brazilian doctor's hiring was made on the direct recommendation of Luís Castro, who is familiar with Tannure's work from his time in Brazilian football, particularly during his time at Botafogo.

EX-FLAMENGO ON THE RISE

Castro recently took over at Al-Wasl and, as part of a roster and management overhaul, brought the former Flamengo player on board to join the club's health and performance structure. Tannure took to social media to celebrate his new professional career and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work abroad. In an optimistic tone, he spoke about the beginning of a new phase in his career.

OLD ORDER

Márcio Tannure left Flamengo in January of this year, after nearly 23 years with the club. He was dismissed during a meeting at Ninho do Urubu, attended by president Bap. Over the years, Tannure held various positions within the club's medical staff, recently becoming the leading figure in the sector.

His presence was prominent in important moments, both in triumphs and in crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and injuries to key players. Tannure's dismissal was not a peaceful one behind the scenes. On several occasions, the doctor made statements that sounded like indirect criticism of the current administration, especially after Bruno Henrique's knee injury.

Striker Pedro is out of the clash between Flamengo and São Paulo , valid for the 13th round of the Brazilian Championship. The number 9 did not participate in the collective training session on Friday morning (9), at Ninho do Urubu, and only carried out physical work separately. The technical committee, led by Filipe Luís, chose to leave him out of the list of athletes related to the duel this Saturday (12), at Maracanã.

Internally, the club acknowledges that Pedro's current salary, estimated at R$1.1 million per month, is below that of players of similar standing . Before suffering an injury during a Brazilian national team training session, the player had a verbal agreement with the club's previous management, led by Rodolfo Landim, to review his contract, but these discussions were interrupted after the injury.

Even with limited playing time, Pedro's season stats are impressive. The center forward has scored four goals and provided one assist in the two months since his return. He also has an 80% shooting percentage and five decisive passes during this period . Despite this, the striker's use remains limited.

FOCUS ON THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Back in Brazil after the Club World Cup , the squad returns to the Brazilian Championship with the match against São Paulo. The team is expected to start with the following lineup: Rossi; Wesley, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, and Alex Sandro; Jorginho, De La Cruz, and Arrascaeta; Luiz Araújo, Plata, and Bruno Henrique.

THE GOAL IS TO MAINTAIN LEADERSHIP

Even with absences and team adjustments, the coaching staff's main objective is to keep Flamengo at the top of the table. The club has 24 points from 11 matches, playing one game less than its direct rivals, and is currently leading the Brasileirão. In its last match, the team thrashed Fortaleza 5-0, also at Maracanã, and now seeks to maintain its consistency in front of its home crowd.