Market: Flamengo makes moves and brings back starting defender and champion in 2019

Cruzeiro remains interested in signing Matheus Gonçalves and believes it can close the deal. The deal was practically finalized but was canceled at the last minute—the player even learned of the move on the sidelines after a youth team match.

Now, the Minas Gerais club is back in the hunt to convince Flamengo to release the young attacking midfielder. According to Goal, Cruzeiro's vice president of football, Pedro Junio, is in contact with the player's staff , seeking a solution that will please all parties.

FLAMENGO DOES NOT INTEND TO NEGOTIATE

Currently, Cruzeiro is resisting the idea of selling the player directly to a competitor in the Brasileirão, a position supported by part of the board. Meanwhile, CSKA Moscow of Russia has also expressed interest but has not yet formalized an official offer. Matheus Gonçalves, however, wants to play for Cruzeiro , believing that at the Minas Gerais club he will get more minutes on the field and a chance to compete for a starting spot.

THE CRUISE PROPOSAL

Cruzeiro's initial offer was €3.5 million (approximately R$22 million) for 50% of the player's economic rights . Flamengo would retain half of his transfer rights, aiming for a profit in any future negotiations. The impasse occurred in July, when the deal was finally finalized and Matheus Gonçalves was very close to leaving Ninho do Urubu.

FOCUS ON THE LIBERTADORES

While Matheus Gonçalves waits to know his future, Flamengo prepares for the first leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16 against Internacional at Maracanã. The match is this Wednesday (13) at 9:30 pm (Brasília time) and will be broadcast on Rede Globo, ESPN and Disney+.

Flamengo returns to the field this Wednesday (13) to face Internacional in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores. The ball rolls at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, with broadcast on Globo on open TV . The match will also be shown on ESPN, on subscription TV, and on Disney+, via streaming.

PROBABLE LINEUP

Coach Filipe Luís is expected to field Luiz Araújo in place of Arrascaeta , who is suspended due to a backlog of yellow cards. Thus, the likely lineup for the red-and-blacks is: Rossi; Varela (Emerson Royal), Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, Alex Sandro; Jorginho, Allan; Luiz Araújo, Plata, Samuel Lino, and Pedro.

The main news is Jorginho's return to the starting lineup after serving a suspension in the Brasileirão victory over Mirassol. The number 10 will be a significant absence, sitting out the decisive stage of the continental tournament. Expectations are high for a possible debut for Jorge Carrascal, who didn't leave the bench against Leão.

FLAMENGO SITUATION

Flamengo and Internacional enter the field looking to open up an advantage for the return match, which will take place next Wednesday (20), at Beira-Rio. Rubro-Negro arrives buoyed by the leadership of the Brasileirão, even with a game less , after defeating Mirassol 2-1 last weekend - a result that helped to recover the spirit of the squad after the early elimination in the Copa do Brasil against Atlético-MG.

AND INTER?

Internacional also won in the last Brasileirão match before facing Mengão , when they beat Red Bull Bragantino 3-1 away from home, and interrupted a sequence of four consecutive games without a win, where they were even eliminated from the Copa do Brasil by Fluminense.

Brazilian champion with Flamengo in 2020, Guilherme Bala is enjoying a special phase in his career . Currently with Shabab Al-Ahli in the United Arab Emirates, the striker was a standout in the 2024/2025 season , winning four titles and being a key player in the team's success.

The performance earned the player, who was born at Ninho do Urubu, the award for best under-23 athlete from the local federation . An emotional Bala celebrated the achievement, highlighted the collective effort, and celebrated the most memorable moment in his career.

Guilherme Bala, ex-Flamengo: "It was the best season of my career"

"I'm very happy to win this award. It was a very special season, things went perfectly, and it was definitely the best season of my career. This is the culmination of hard work, dedication, and commitment . I also want to dedicate this award to my teammates, coaching staff, and the entire club staff. If I managed to win, everyone has a hand in it."

NUMBERS AND TITLES IN THE SEASON

Under former Flamengo coach Paulo Sousa, Guilherme Bala recorded his best stats: 35 appearances, eight goals, and 12 assists , totaling 20 direct goal involvements. He also helped Shabab win the UAE Pro League, the Emirates Super Cup, the Challenge Shield, and the UAE President's Cup.

Since joining the club in 2021/2022, Bala has played 95 matches, scoring 18 goals and providing 26 assists. In addition to the Golden Boy award, he was also named to the All-Star Team of the Season . The striker also outlined his goals for 2025/2026:

"After a season with so many titles, it's always difficult to maintain the level of achievements. We know that all our opponents will be even more motivated to play against us. But our team is very strong, and we have important trophies to defend, not to mention the Asian Champions League . We'll work hard and stay focused to have another great season, full of titles."

PASSAGE THROUGH FLAMENGO

Guilherme Bala played for Flamengo between 2019 and 2020. Last year, he played in three matches for the first team . Two games marked his time: the 4-0 victory over Independiente Del Valle (EQU) in the Libertadores, and the 1-1 draw against Palmeiras at Allianz Parque, where he played 71 minutes.