Léo Ortiz feels uncomfortable during Santos vs Flamengo and becomes doubtful

Flamengo has completed the sale of Matheus Gonçalves to Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia for €8 million (R$50 million). The midfielder had been playing for the U-20 team after losing his place under coach Filipe Luís and was a starter in the category's Intercontinental Cup win.

OTHER CLUBS TRIED TO SIGN HIM

This wasn't the first offer Flamengo had received for the player, but it was the most advantageous . Before Al-Ahli, Cruzeiro and CSKA Moscow (Russia) had shown interest and made official offers for the player.

The Minas Gerais team even reached a deal directly with president Bap, offering €3.5 million (R$22 million) for 50% of the rights . However, the Rubro-Negro backed down. Shortly after, CSKA presented a €7 million (R$44 million) offer, which was also rejected.

PLAYER WAS ON THE NEGOTIABLE LIST

Matheus Gonçalves was on the list of players released for trading this summer. The midfielder started 2025 in the senior squad , but failed to overcome stiff competition in the attacking department and had few opportunities. In the senior team, he played 15 games and scored two goals. Faced with a lack of playing time, he himself requested a return to the U-20s, where he managed to make a run of appearances.

NEXT APPOINTMENT

With the negotiation, the expectation is that Matheus Gonçalves will not be on Flamengo's list of players for the duel against Grêmio in the Brasileirão . Mengão receives Tricolor at Maracanã this Sunday (31) at 4 pm (Brasília time). The match will be broadcast on Rede Globo (open TV) and Premiere (pay-per-view).

Flamengo opened this Wednesday (27) the preparation for the duel against Grêmio , scheduled for Sunday (31), at 4 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the 22nd round of the Brazilian Championship. The match pits teams in opposite situations against each other: Rubro-Negro leads the competition, while the Gauchos are at the bottom of the table .

Mano Menezes on the match: "It's harder to play against Flamengo at Maracanã"

DIFFERENCE IS NOT UNUSUAL

Coach Mano Menezes, leading the Tricolor team, commented on the challenge and highlighted the financial disparity between the clubs . He believes the situation is natural and similar to what happens in other parts of the world.

"I see it as natural. This has been happening all over the world for many years. The Europeans are far ahead of the others. The two largest in Spain are always far ahead , as are those in England, which invest billions. We need to fight with other weapons," he said.

GREATER DIFFICULTY AT MARACANÃ

Despite the difference in investment and the historical difficulty of facing Flamengo at Maracanã, Mano Menezes emphasized his confidence in his squad's ability: "All of Brazil knows it's harder to play against Flamengo at Maracanã, and Rio Grande do Sul knows that too. We'll work the same way we do against any opponent . They're one of the best teams and squads in Brazil, but we're capable of facing them," he added.

TEAMS MOMENT

With 46 points from 20 games, Flamengo leads the Brasileirão, four points ahead of second place. Filipe Luís's team also boasts the best attack and the tightest defense in the competition . Grêmio, on the other hand, has 24 points and sits in 14th place.

After agreeing to a contract renewal with right-back Varela, Flamengo is now focusing its efforts on Filipe Luís . The board has already presented a proposal to the coach , and according to ge, both the club and the coach are interested in continuing the contract.

Filipe Luís's current contract expires in December 2025 , and the plan is to extend his stay for another season. However, talks are expected to progress only after the end of the current campaign. A contract is expected to run until the end of 2027, but that's not the initial plan.

TRAJECTORY IN COMMAND OF RUBRO-NEGRO

Filipe Luís took over the team in September 2024, after Tite's departure, and quickly won titles . Under his leadership, Flamengo won the Copa do Brasil against Atlético-MG, the Campeonato Carioca against Fluminense, and the Supercopa do Brasil against Botafogo. The team is also leading the Brasileirão and is already in the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores.

BALANCE OF THE PASSAGE

Despite his successes, the coach also suffered disappointments: elimination to Bayern Munich in the Club World Cup and defeat to Atlético-MG on penalties in the 2025 Copa do Brasil. Even so, the record is positive: since taking over, Filipe Luís has only suffered six defeats in charge of Flamengo .

NEXT APPOINTMENT

While they are still discussing the new contract, Filipe Luís is preparing the Flamengo team for the team's next challenge in the Brasileirão. Mengão hosts Grêmio at Maracanã this Sunday (25) . The match is scheduled for 4 pm (Brasília time) and will be broadcast on Rede Globo (open TV) and Premiere (pay-per-view).