
Soccer
20 Dez 2024 | 09:09 |
One of the main soap operas on Flamengo in 2024 was attempt to sign midfielder Evander, formerly of Vasco and currently at Portland Timbers (USA). During the beginning of the year, the Rio club presented proposals that exceeded R$30 million, but the agreement did not materialize. Now, on vacation in Rio de Janeiro, the 26-year-old player commented on what was needed for negotiations to move forward and reiterated his desire to return to Brazilian football.
“For now we have nothing (of proposals). Of course it is in my interest to return to Brazil. I want to be where I can be seen togo to the Selection. It's something we have to wait for. The window has now opened, so there is a lot to happen”, said Evander, on Wednesday (18), in a charity game that included the participation of David Luiz.
“It’s what they (Portland) want (sale). They don't want to lend it to me, only for sale. I still have two years left on my contract there, so we just have to wait and see what happens. (Club) preferred, no. I think I'll go where people want me. I am open to listening to proposals”, added the midfielder.
Why didn't the negotiations with Flamengo progress?
The vice-president of football at Flamengo, Marcos Braz, even aligned salary and contract time with Evander. However, the club was unable to meet the financial demands of the Portland Timbers. Despite raising the offer to R$34 million, Rubro-Negro came up against the amount requested by the American team, which hoped to recover the approximately R$53 million invested in signing the player from Midtjylland (DIN ), in 2023.
“Yes, it (the negotiation) happened. They showed interest, asked the price. But no progress was made due to the value, which was too high. There was direct contact between Flamengo's directors and the club,” revealed Evander, who had an impressive performance last season.
Evander's numbers in 2024
In the season, the midfielder directly participated in 34 goals in 32 matches, with 15 goals scored and 19 assists. For a period, Evander was compared to Lionel Messi by the American press, surpassing the Argentine in statistics. However, the Inter Miami (USA) star regained his protagonism in the final stretch of the year, accumulating 23 goals and 13 assists (36 direct appearances) in 25 games.
Despite the frustrated negotiation, Evander reinforces his desire to return to Brazil, leaving open the possibility of new investments in the future.
The board wants the coach to remain in charge of Mengão and the contract may be longer than initially announced.
15 Ago 2025 | 14:30 |
Flamengo remains firmly at the top of the Brasileirão , maintaining a lead over the second-place team despite having played a game less. They also opened up a lead in the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 by beating Internacional 1-0 in the first leg.
Aiming to maintain the core of the project, Flamengo is already taking steps to prevent the departure of key players. According to information from the 'Bolavip' portal, the board has begun talks to renew the contract of Filipe Luís , who has been excelling at the helm of the team and imprinting his style on the squad.
Filipe Luís's current contract expires at the end of this season. The proposal is for a two-year extension, until December 2027. The internal evaluation is positive, despite the elimination from the Copa do Brasil. The board believes the focus should remain on the Brasileirão and the Libertadores, competitions in which the team has been performing consistently and is contending for the title.
Aware of the demands of the competitions, the board is working to strengthen the squad. Among the priorities is signing a goalkeeper , and the club is closely monitoring the situation of Gabriel Brazão, Santos's starting goalkeeper, although a negotiation this season is considered unlikely.
Meanwhile, potential departures are also being evaluated during this transfer window. One example is Matheus Gonçalves, who is reportedly dissatisfied with the lack of opportunities under Filipe Luís. The midfielder has offers from CSKA Moscow in Russia and Red Bull Bragantino.
The striker has not yet been tried by the Superior Court of Justice (STJD) for alleged involvement in the manipulation of sports betting results, and the analyst blames Mengão.
15 Ago 2025 | 12:56 |
On the morning of this Friday (15), during the Posse de Bola program, on Uol, journalist Juca Kfouri made controversial statements about Flamengo and the case involving Bruno Henrique and alleged manipulation of sports betting.
Juca Kfouri: "It's clear that Flamengo has influence in the Court of Justice to prevent him from being tried"
The commentator insinuated that the club would have influence in the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) to delay the trial of the number 27 , who recently scored the winning goal for Flamengo in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Libertadores.
Kfouri stated, without any evidence: " For weeks now, I've only been referring to him as the accused Bruno Henrique . It's clear that Flamengo has influence in the Court of Justice to prevent him from being tried."
Before Kfouri's statements, Mauro Cezar Pereira had already come out in defense of Flamengo, noting that the club had no involvement in the case . He compared the situation to that of Lucas Paquetá and criticized the timing of the re-emerging issue:
"Flamengo has nothing to do with this. It's the player's problem, as he's hired his lawyers and is moving forward with his career . Clubs field players while they're not suspended. I just think this issue should have been raised earlier. When Bruno Henrique plays and scores a goal, everyone talks about it."
Mauro Cezar also highlighted that similar cases involving other clubs don't receive as much attention, citing Internacional's Thiago Maia: " They don't talk about Thiago Maia, whom Internacional puts on the field without paying him . The player hasn't been paid, and the situation drags on."
The controversy reinforces the debate over Bruno Henrique's trial, but makes it clear that, for now, Flamengo remains free to count on the striker on the field. The striker is even available to coach Filipe Luís this Sunday (17), when Flamengo faces Internacional again, but this time in the Brasileirão. The game is scheduled for 6:30 pm (Brasília time).
Midfielder is in Raposa's sights after failing to sign Matheus Gonçalves from Mengão, but an agreement seems unlikely
15 Ago 2025 | 10:04 |
Cruzeiro has opened talks to try to sign Matheus França , a 21-year-old attacking midfielder who came through Flamengo's ranks and is currently playing for Crystal Palace in England. Despite the interest, the club's board believes the fees involved are outside the standards adopted at Toca da Raposa II , according to Goal.
The main obstacle is the player's high salary request, combined with the demands made by the English club . Matheus França was acquired by Crystal Palace in August 2023 for around €20 million—approximately R$126 million at the current exchange rate—a similar amount to the amount paid at the time of the transfer.
If Cruzeiro accepts the requested figures, the attacking midfielder would become one of the three highest-paid players in the squad , behind only Gabriel Barbosa and Matheus Pereira. However, the club currently considers this amount unaffordable.
Matheus França played 52 matches for Flamengo between 2021 and 2023, scoring nine goals and providing two assists. Despite his short tenure, he demonstrated his ability to decide matches and participate in decisive moments , gaining experience in national and continental tournaments.
The player also shone in the youth ranks of the Brazilian national team. His professional debut for the red-and-black team came in 2022 , when he scored six goals and played an important role in the Libertadores and Copa do Brasil victories.