
Soccer
10 Out 2024 | 10:18 |
One of Flamengo's main highlights of the season, Luiz Araújo is still far from returning to the pitch. The player suffered a serious cartilage injury in right knee and, in an optimistic scenario, it would only be available to Filipe Luís in the last week of November. This means that he could play between the 35th and 36th round of the Brasileirão. Understand the recovery process:
Current stage: crutches and no impact
Luiz Araújo injured the cartilageof his right knee on September 15th, during the first half of the 1-1 draw against Vasco. After undergoing surgery, the number 7 began a six-week treatment of non-impact physiotherapy. During this period, the athlete has not yet left the stretcher.
In the last few days, he started using crutches and placing his foot on the floor, which Doctors call it the "half load" stage of recovery.
Next steps
When he is released for more impactful activities, Luiz Araújo will still undergo internal physical reconditioning work on the field. Despite being considered an athlete with good recovery capacity, thanks to his dedication to treatment, there is a certain pessimism within the club regarding the possibility of him returning to play under the command of Filipe Luís in 2024. .
As the most likely scenario suggests that he will only be available at the end of November, Luiz will still face the issue of a lack of pace. game and, at most, could gain a few minutes. If Flamengo is in contention for the title, it is likely that Filipe Luís will opt for players in full physical shape.
Before the injury, Luiz Araújo, aged 28, was experiencing one of the best phases of his career. In 50 matches, he accumulated 10 assists and 6 goals, being one of the team's main playmakers.
With a poor performance away from the field, the Argentine team tries to stop Mengão's momentum in the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals
16 Set 2025 | 18:59 |
Estudiantes faces Flamengo this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm, at Maracanã, for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores . The Argentine club arrives under pressure due to irregular results in the season and seeks to rediscover the good football of the beginning of the year to overcome one of the strongest teams in Brazil.
In 2025, the La Plata team played 36 matches, totaling 15 wins, eight draws, and 13 losses, with 42 goals scored and 40 conceded, a success rate of just over 49%. Away from home, the record is even more challenging: in 18 away matches, they have recorded just five wins, four draws, and nine losses.
On the other hand, Flamengo has maintained a solid performance at Maracanã , where they have lost only four times this season, only two of which have come against the main team. This makes the match even more difficult for the Argentine team, which will need to overcome one of the most intense atmospheres on the continent.
While performance away from La Plata is a concern, Estudiantes ' home record is positive. In 17 matches, they've won nine, drawn four, and lost four . This home strength could be an asset in the return leg, but first, the team needs to contain Flamengo 's momentum in Rio de Janeiro.
A traditional Libertadores champion, Estudiantes shares the title with River Plate as the most successful Argentine team in the competition and demonstrates experience in knockout stages. In the current edition, they lost only two matches in the group stage, against Universidad de Chile and Botafogo. In the round of 16, they eliminated Cerro Porteño after a 1-0 away win and a 0-0 draw in the return leg in La Plata.
Rubro-Negro begins its quest for a spot in the Copa Libertadores semifinals with sold-out tickets and a massive fan presence; the team has returns
16 Set 2025 | 18:35 |
Flamengo begins its journey towards the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores this Thursday (18) . The first leg against Estudiantes (ARG) will be held at Maracanã, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), and will have a full house.
All tickets were sold in advance, guaranteeing an estimated attendance of around 69,000. The expectation is that the Red-Black Nation will fill every section of the stadium , transforming the Maracanã into a cauldron to push the team toward victory.
The team will have important reinforcements. Striker Bruno Henrique and full-back Varela , who were absent last Sunday (14) against Juventude, in the Brazilian Championship , trained normally this Tuesday (16) and should be available to the coach again.
Despite their returns, Rubro-Negro will remain without midfielder Jorginho, full-back Alex Sandro, and defensive midfielder Pulgar , who are still recovering. The likely lineup for the game includes: Rossi; Royal (Varela), Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, Ayrton Lucas (Viña); Saúl, De La Cruz (Allan), Arrascaeta; Plata, Samuel Lino, and Pedro.
Fans will be able to watch the match live on ESPN (pay TV) and Disney+ (streaming). The second leg will be held next week in La Plata, Argentina, and will determine who advances to the semifinals.
Signed at zero cost, the Spaniard quickly gained a place in Mais Querido, receiving praise from the Spanish press for his recent performances.
16 Set 2025 | 18:12 |
Despite being signed only in the last transfer window, Saúl Ñíguez has already become one of the most important players in Flamengo's squad . The Spanish midfielder arrived at the club on a free transfer and quickly established himself in the starting lineup.
Spanish newspaper Marca highlighted the athlete's rapid adaptation. " The former Atlético de Madrid player arrived at Flamengo with the mission of becoming an important player and maintaining a prominent role in the starting lineup . His adaptation didn't take long," the publication reported.
According to the publication, Saúl is experiencing "a second youth" in Brazilian football and has already established himself as a key midfielder. Despite only registering one assist in eight games , he has played a more defensive role in Filipe Luís's team.
In the victory over Juventude, in the Brazilian Championship , Saúl started alongside Allan in midfield and provided the assist for Arrascaeta's goal in the 31st minute of the first half.
Flamengo returns to the field this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time) , at Maracanã, to face Estudiantes, for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. Saúl Ñíguez should once again be among the starters for the red-black team.