Soccer

Is Matheus Gonçalves good enough for Flamengo? Flamengo's jewel is still looking for opportunities with Filipe Luis

The young promise of Mengão, changes shirt number, stands out in the youth categories, faces injuries, lives on loan to Bragantino and returns and

The Flamengo player is seen as a promising young player and extremely active for sale to the European market (Photo / Flamengo)
The Flamengo player is seen as a promising young player and extremely active for sale to the European market (Photo / Flamengo)

03 Jun 2025 | 20:35 |

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Since March, Matheus Gonçalves has been wearing the number 20 jersey for Flamengo's main team. The change came after the departure of Thiago Maia, who wore the number 8. Gerson, who wore the number 20 at the time, took back the old number and left the "20" free. The midfielder, aware of the situation, asked for the number because he visually associates it with the number 10, the most symbolic number in football.


A product of Ninho, Matheus joined Flamengo at the age of 12. He made the leap to the professional ranks in 2021, the year he signed his first contract, after a meteoric stint with the under-15 and under-17 teams. Also in 2021, he won the treble: Brazilian Championship, Copa do Brasil and Campeonato Carioca . His current contract runs until 2027.


THE MOST ROBUST CAST


The highlight came in August 2024, when he was the protagonist in winning the U-20 Club World Cup, beating Olympiacos at Maracanã, wearing the number 10 and led by Filipe Luís. His performance attracted attention both inside and outside Brazil. Bragantino, where he played on loan, offered more than R$50 million to hire him permanently . The proposal was rejected.

In addition, clubs such as Atlético-MG, Cruzeiro and Grêmio have approached the player. In Europe, names such as Real Madrid, Chelsea, Newcastle and Arsenal are closely monitoring the youngster's progress. Matheus Gonçalves is considered an athlete with personality. He chose the number 20 jersey out of desire and set his sights on playing in the World Cup with the national team. Despite his young age, he has made firm decisions and the attitude of someone who understands what it means to wear the red and black jersey.


I WANT TO FOLLOW MY MOST LOVED ONE

Even without a regular start, Matheus' name continues to be talked about behind the scenes at the club. The board of directors has plans to increase the value of the gem, but they know that the schedule requires patience to find the ideal moment. The competition for space in the current squad is intense. With names like Arrascaeta, Gerson, De La Cruz and Lorran ahead in the hierarchy, Matheus needs to show his worth in training and in the rare opportunities he gets. The player's staff remains cautious. The idea is to stay at Flamengo at least until the end of the season, even with outside inquiries.


Soccer

Flamengo fans reach 100,000 signatures on petition for UN recognition

In just seven hours, the Nação Rubro-Negra surpassed the goal set for the weekend and celebrated the achievement with the support of idols such as Zico and Adriano Imperador.

Flamengo fans reach 100,000 signatures in just seven hours on a historic petition seeking official UN recognition.
Flamengo fans reach 100,000 signatures in just seven hours on a historic petition seeking official UN recognition.

09 Set 2025 | 22:55 |

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The Red-Black Nation once again demonstrated its strength off the field. Launched this Tuesday (09), the online petition seeking official recognition of the fans by the United Nations (UN) surpassed 100,000 signatures in just seven hours. The goal was to reach this goal by the end of the week.


The club's greatest idol, Zico, even called on fans in a video posted on social media, asking for their commitment to reach the milestone. However, even before the appeal was widely circulated, the goal had already been surpassed by around 6 p.m. (Brasília time).


CLUB IDOLS PARTICIPATE IN THE MOBILIZATION


Besides Zico , another historical figure participated in the campaign. Adriano Imperador recorded a message encouraging mobilization and joked about the possibility of also receiving the title of " True Emperor " if the UN recognizes the fans. "We won't disappoint Didico. Mission given, mission accomplished. We're going to surpass 1 million," said the former striker, in a relaxed tone.

CLUB CELEBRATES THE NATION'S HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENT


Just minutes after the goal was reached, the club released an official statement celebrating the commitment. In the statement, the board highlighted the historic nature of the "Nation at the UN " campaign and reinforced that the "Mais Querido" is not just a sports team, but also a cultural and popular symbol.

" This historic achievement proves what everyone already knows: Mengão is much more than a club. It's culture, it's identity, it's people. It's a nation ," the official statement emphasized. The campaign remains active and can be accessed on the petition's official website.


Soccer

Bolivia secures a spot in the playoffs and former Flamengo player promises a historic return to the national team

The Bolivian team's all-time top scorer, the former striker, reiterates his desire to return to the pitch if the team secures an unprecedented spot in the World Cup.

Marcelo Moreno, Bolivia's top scorer and former Flamengo player, promises to return to play if the team reaches a spot in the 2026 World Cup - photo: reproduction
Marcelo Moreno, Bolivia's top scorer and former Flamengo player, promises to return to play if the team reaches a spot in the 2026 World Cup - photo: reproduction

09 Set 2025 | 22:45 |

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Bolivia's World Cup dream has taken on new meaning . After securing qualification for the playoffs, the team remains committed to competing in the 2026 World Cup . Marcelo Moreno, the Bolivian national team's all-time leading scorer and former Flamengo player, celebrated in a special way .


At 37, the striker had announced his retirement from the field , but promised to reconsider if Bolivia qualified for the final. "If Bolivia makes it to the World Cup, I'll try to do everything I can, but I'll return to playing. My dream has to come true on the field, playing in the World Cup," he declared in an interview with UOL.


Marcelo Moreno's presence in El Alto to watch the match against Brazil symbolically marked his idol's reunion with the national team. The positive result, combined with Venezuela's defeat, secured Bolivia a place in the playoffs and kept their dream of competing in the World Cup alive.


PASSAGE THROUGH FLAMENGO

Before becoming Bolivia's all-time top scorer, Marcelo Moreno also played for Flamengo in 2013. Signed after a strong run at Shakhtar Donetsk, the striker scored just five goals in 21 appearances . Despite his brief stint, he was part of the squad that won the historic Copa do Brasil title that year.


PROMISE OF RETURN

Now, the focus is on the future. If Bolivia secures its spot in the 2026 World Cup , Marcelo Moreno promises to wear the green jersey again to end his career in epic fashion. "It's been my dream since I was a boy. I want to come back and experience this moment on the field, with my people," said the idol.


Soccer

Bolivia surprises and defeats Brazil in El Alto in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

The Bolivian team opened the scoring with Miguelito in the first half and held on to the advantage against an uninspired Brazil.

Brazil loses to Bolivia in El Alto for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, suffers from altitude and sees Miguelito decide the game - photo: reproduction
Brazil loses to Bolivia in El Alto for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, suffers from altitude and sees Miguelito decide the game - photo: reproduction

09 Set 2025 | 22:32 |

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Bolivia showed superiority in the first half and built its victory against Brazil in this round of the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Playing in El Alto, at an altitude of 4,100 meters, the home team was more aggressive and opened the scoring with Miguelito, from a penalty kick confirmed by VAR in the first half's stoppage time.


Throughout the game, the Brazilian team struggled to maintain possession and create attacking plays, while the Bolivians took advantage of the pressure from the crowd and the physical factor to dominate the action.


BRAZILIAN DEFENSE GIVES IN TO THE RHYTHM


The star player of the match, Miguelito was Bolivia's attacking engine, taking shots from outside the box and directly participating in key opportunities. The goal from the young striker, who came through Santos' youth ranks and currently plays for América-MG , rewarded the hosts' attacking approach.

Brazil, meanwhile, had just three shots that were truly dangerous in the entire first half. Luiz Henrique, Richarlison, and Bruno Guimarães were the ones who attempted the most , but were either stopped by goalkeeper Lampe or by shots that were off target.


SECOND HALF MAINTAINS SCRIPT

After the break, Carlo Ancelotti attempted to change the situation by introducing offensive changes, such as Estêvão and João Pedro. Despite the more aggressive approach, Brazil continued to stumble on passing errors and struggled to overcome Bolivia's compact defense.

Goalkeeper Alisson had to work hard on powerful shots from Robson Matheus and Paniagua, while the Brazilian attack was limited to crosses blocked by the opposing defense. With this result, Bolivia continues to dream of a playoff spot for the 2026 World Cup , also boosted by the stumbles of its direct rivals in the round.


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