
Soccer
Flamengo will not have Saúl against Bahia; Check the list of related players
04 Out 2025 | 13:53
Soccer
20 Abr 2024 | 07:12 |
The cast of Flamengo is considered one of the best in Brazil for having a variety of good players per position. Thus, this was once again "reinforced" by Palmeiras' left-back, Piquerez, who named Mais Querido's two colleagues, Viña and Ayrton Lucas, as two of the three best in the country.
In other words, the Palmeiras player named a Rubro-Negro reserve on the list of the best. Remembering that Ayrton Lucas has been a starter in Tite's team and Viña reservation. To complete the top-3, Piquerez included Guilherme Arana, from Atlético-MG. The full-back chose his best athletes in contact with "UOL Esporte".
VIÑA BACK TO THE TEAM
Left-back Matías Viãn is back on the Mais Querido team after missing out. away from the last match, against São Paulo. Remembering that the player suffered a head injury in the clash against Atlético-GO, last Sunday (14).
Therefore, Viña is available to play. However, Ayrton Lucas is still Tite's favorite to start the match against Palmeiras as a starter. However, the Uruguayan is capable of entering the field during the match.
TEAM SITUATION IN THE BRASILEIRÃO
Despite the Brazilian Championship being in the first rounds, Flamengo is already the leader. After beating São Paulo, last Wednesday (17), Rubro-Negro took the lead in the competition, due to having a greater goal difference. Palmeiras is in 11th place in the table, after losing to Internacional.
FOCUS ON THE BRAZILIAN
Thus, Flamengo and Palmeiras face each other with different objectives. Mais Querido will try to stay at the top of the leaderboard and the alviverde team will try to climb a few positions. Thus, the teams will face each other next Sunday (21st), at 4pm, at Allianz Parque.
The defender is a regular starter for coach Filipe Luís and is highly valued on the market, receiving constant inquiries, leading to demand from the English club.
04 Out 2025 | 17:00 |
Leader of the Brasileirão and semifinalist of the Copa Libertadores, Flamengo is not limited to just competing for the 2025 titles. The red-black board is already planning the next season and working on two fronts: important renewals and specific reinforcements to keep the squad at a high level, in addition to dealing with the pressure on important players, such as Léo Ortiz .
According to journalist Fabrício Lopes, English clubs are watching defender Léo Ortiz, and Nottingham Forest has expressed formal interest . Despite this, the defender isn't convinced that leaving Flamengo for a lesser-known club would be advantageous at this time. Internally, the Rio de Janeiro club also has no intention of facilitating a possible exit.
With a contract until the end of 2028, Léo Ortiz is seen as a key player in the Flamengo defense. Behind the scenes, Flamengo has made it clear that it will only open negotiations for a sum considered very high , capable of enabling the signing of a replacement of the same level—or higher.
Fabrício Lopes on the search for Léo Ortiz, from Flamengo: "Nottingham Forest made an inquiry for the red-black defender"
"Nottingham Forest made an enquiry about the Flamengo defender, but Flamengo 's internal order is to renew with everyone who can leave and only negotiate players preferably abroad . And for a value that allows Flamengo to replace at a level or even better," revealed Fabrício Lopes.
In September, the club rejected a proposal of approximately R$114.5 million from a Turkish team. The offer was promptly rejected, reinforcing the board's firm stance on maintaining the main squad . In addition to Ortiz, Flamengo is also working to renew the contracts of Léo Pereira and Pedro, shielding the group from European pressure. The strategy includes salary increases and contract extensions to ensure security in future transfer windows.
Léo Ortiz, for his part, is cautiously evaluating any move. The defender fears losing visibility for the Brazilian national team if he moves to a lesser-known club before the 2026 World Cup . Therefore, the player believes that remaining with Flamengo, the national leader and a continental standout, is the safest way to stay on Italian Carlo Ancelotti's radar and maintain a high level of competition.
Among the priorities are the renewals of Filipe Luís and Arrascaeta, in addition to maintaining the starting lineup. At the same time, the club is keeping Lazio striker Taty Castellanos on its radar as a target for the attack in January. The Argentine's agents are already negotiating his exit from the Italian club.
Real Madrid striker remains the most valued Brazilian in world football, but let his place on the podium slip away after a disappointing season
04 Out 2025 | 16:00 |
A Flamengo product and now a top star at Real Madrid, striker Vinicius Júnior has seen his market value drop again . According to the specialist website Transfermarkt, the Real Madrid number 7 is now valued at €150 million , marking a cumulative loss of €50 million in 2025 alone.
The drop is significant for an athlete who, not long ago, was at the top of world football as the most valuable player on the planet , valued at an impressive €200 million, a figure that continues to represent the top spot, but this time it is Lamine Yamal.
The year 2025 has been challenging for the Brazilian. Vini Jr. 's devaluation occurred in two stages: first, a €30 million drop, followed by a further €20 million reduction in the most recent update . Even so, the striker remains a key player at Real Madrid and one of the great technical icons of his generation.
Despite the loss, Vini Jr. remains the most valuable Brazilian player on the planet , ahead of names like Rodrygo, Endrick, and Gabriel Martinelli. This brand reinforces his prestige on the international stage and his consolidation as a leading player in European football.
With the fall, Vini Jr. left the podium of the world's most expensive players. Barcelona's youngster Lamine Yamal took the top spot with €200 million , followed by Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappé, all valued at €180 million.
Check out Transfermarkt's updated top 10:
Campo da Fonte Nova has been heavily criticized recently and is a cause for concern for Mengão's coach ahead of the clash against the Tricolor.
04 Out 2025 | 15:00 |
After public criticism from Abel Ferreira and Rogério Ceni about the state of the Arena Fonte Nova pitch , the stadium will once again be the stage for a big game this Sunday (05), when Flamengo faces Bahia in the 27th round of the Brasileirão . The arena's management assured that the pitch will be technically fit for the match, even without the usual shade of green.
Arena Fonte Nova manager on the pitch for Bahia vs. Flamengo: "It will be ready for the game"
In an interview, Milena Andrade, operations manager at Fonte Nova, detailed the care taken in preparing the pitch and stated that all technical parameters are within ideal standards: "The pitch will be ready for the Flamengo game, meeting all technical parameters, such as traction, moisture, cutting height, and compaction . The appearance may not be its usual green, but what we evaluate are the technical aspects, not the aesthetic ones," she explained.
Milena also emphasized that the use of sports dye is a safe alternative and widely used in national and international competitions, if necessary: " The technical quality remains unchanged. In October, we will have a favorable window to intensify maintenance and fully restore the lawn's green color," she added.
After the 0-0 draw with Cruzeiro, Filipe Luís and Saúl were questioned about the pitch conditions in Salvador . The red-and-black coach adopted a calm tone, stating that any irregularities will affect both teams equally.
"I don't know if the pitch will improve much since the last game, but it's a problem for both Bahia and Flamengo . We're used to playing on different pitches and conditions. The important thing is to adapt and go for the win ," said Filipe Luís.
Spanish midfielder Saúl echoed the coach's words, emphasizing that the team needs to focus on its own performance: "We don't think about that. It's something we can't control. We have to adapt to the pitch , the weather, and whatever comes our way. If we can't play our style, we'll play differently to win," he declared.
In search of maintaining the leadership of the Brasileirão, Flamengo faces Bahia this Sunday (05), at 6:30 pm (Brasília time) , at Arena Fonte Nova, in Salvador. The match will be broadcast exclusively by Premiere (pay-per-view).