
Soccer
09 Jun 2025 | 13:53 |
Flamengo has stepped up its search for new names in the attacking sector and has started talks to sign 25-year-old striker Noah Okafor, who belongs to Milan. The information was initially revealed by Turkish media outlets and later confirmed by sources linked to ESPN this Monday (9). The move comes amid the possible departure of Gerson, a target for Zenit, from Russia.
Okafor , who has dual Swiss and Nigerian nationality, is on loan at Napoli until June 30. The player is undergoing a period of physical recovery after suffering from muscle fatigue last month. During his time with the current Italian champions, he only played four times and did not score any goals. According to reports, the Italian team is demanding around R$95 million for the striker.
Even with clear interest, Mais Querido must wait to move forward with the signing . This is because the special transfer window, valid for the Club World Cup, ends this Wednesday (10), which makes it impossible to register the striker at this time. If the deal is completed, the athlete will only be able to be used from the second half of the season.
Within the technical planning, Okafor is seen as the most suitable name to fill the gap on the right side of the attack. His speed, infiltration ability and experience in European football are factors that weigh in favor of the negotiation. Mengão 's board of directors is in contact with the player's representatives and is analyzing the terms of the deal with Milan.
Okafor's recent offensive performance has not been impressive: the striker's last goal came in August 2024 , in a match for Milan against Torino, in Serie A. Since then, the player has not found the net again.
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.
Mengão striker was seen having dinner with the Brazilian National Team coach and rumors of a possible call-up are growing
15 Ago 2025 | 09:13 |
Flamengo's standout player in recent matches, Samuel Lino could be close to his first call-up to the Brazilian National Team . On Thursday night (14), the striker met with coach Carlo Ancelotti at Mocellin Steakhouse , in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro. The news was first reported by Coluna do Fla.
Ancelotti had already seen Samuel in action the day before at the Maracanã, when Flamengo beat Internacional 1-0 in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16. On that occasion, the striker gave full-back Aguirre a hard time, creating good plays down the left flank.
In the previous duel, against Mirassol for the Brasileirão, Samu had provided the assist for Léo Pereira to open the scoring in the 2-1 victory. Recently signed from Atlético de Madrid (ESP), Samuel Lino has played five games with the Manto Sagrado, without yet scoring goals , but with performances that have been attracting attention.
The next Brazilian national team roster will be announced by Carlo Ancelotti on August 25th at 3:30 pm (Brasília time) at the CBF headquarters. The 23 players will be announced for the matches against Chile at the Maracanã and Bolivia in El Alto, on September 4th and 9th, respectively, in the final rounds of the World Cup qualifiers. Brazil has already secured a spot in the World Cup and is looking to improve on its current third-place finish.
There is an expectation that other Flamengo athletes will be called up, as happened in Ancelotti's first call-up , when Léo Ortiz, Danilo and Alex Sandro, in addition to Wesley and Gerson — then Flamengo players —, were included in the list.
HISTORY AGAINST ANCELOTTI
In Europe, Samuel Lino and Carlo Ancelotti have faced each other several times. The striker, playing for Valencia and Atlético de Madrid, recorded four wins, three losses, and four draws against the coach , who was then in charge of Real Madrid. Samu scored twice in matches against teams managed by the Italian.