OLYMPICS: ZICO AND SEEN AT THE BEACH VOLLEYBALL AT THE OLYMPICS IN PARIS AFTER SCALE IN THE "CITY OF LIGHT"

Real Madrid player Vinícius Júnior will be the winner of the 2024 Ballon d'Or, according to information from the Spanish newspaper Brand. France Football, responsible for the awards, had already informed the Brazilian striker about his choice as the best player in the world this season. This recognition consolidates the athlete as one of the main names in world football, highlighting his constant evolution since arriving at the Spanish club.

Vinícius stood out throughout the 2023/2024 season with decisive performances, being a key player in the Real Madrid's campaigns in competitions such as La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League. His regularity on the field, combined with dribbling and plays that often result in goals or assists, were determining factors for his nomination and eventual victory in the Ballon d'Or. The award is given to the player who stood out most in world football throughout the year, being considered the most prestigious individually.

A VICTORY MORE THAN DESERVED 

< Vinícius Jr.'s win of the Ballon d'Or marks a historic moment not only for the player, but also for Brazilian football. Since Kaká, who won the award in 2007, Brazil has not had a representative as a winner of this award. Vinícius's victory represents a milestone for the new generation of Brazilian athletes, who continue to conquer space and stand out in European football.

At 24 years old, Vinícius Jr. He still has a long way to go in his career, but this victory puts his name alongside great legends of the sport, such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho Gaúcho, who have already been awarded the same trophy in other editions. Since arriving at Real Madrid in 2018, the striker has gone through moments of adaptation and criticism, but with each season he has shown evolution, until reaching the position of protagonist in the team led by Carlo Ancelotti.

Michael's recovery has been a priority at Flamengo, with the player in the final stages of treatment to return to the pitch in the club's next important match, against Corinthians, on October 2nd, in the Copa do Brasil. Michael, who has been out of action due to injury, showed signs of positive evolution, which brought relief to the coaching staff led by Tite. The coach, who has been in charge of the team for over a year, has been closely monitoring the player's progress.

The striker has been intensively prepared to be ready for the decisive game against Corinthians. During the recovery period, he began to follow a strict treatment regimen in three daily periods – morning, afternoon and night. In addition to the sessions at the club, Michael also followed a special schedule at home, which was guided by professionals from Flamengo's medical department.

AN IMMINENT RETURN TO THE MOST FAVORITE 

These measures reflect the seriousness with which Flamengotreats the return of its athletes, especially at crucial moments of the season. The expectation is that the player will be fully fit by the date of the clash, which represents an important reinforcement for Tite, who seeks to assemble the most competitive squad possible to face the São Paulo rival.

Michael's injury was a blow for Flamengo, as the player has been an important part of the squad. His absence was felt in several recent games, especially in the Brazilian Championship and in the previous stages of the Copa do Brasil. Since the physical problem was detected, the club has adopted an aggressive strategy to speed up the striker's recovery, involving frequent physiotherapy sessions and muscle work.

Peñarol, opponent of Flamengo in the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores final, took a strong stance against racism. In an official note released through its communication channels, the Uruguayan club announced strict measures to combat any type of racist behavior on the part of its fans during games. According to the statement, anyone identified as committing acts of racism will be severely punished, being expelled not only from the stadium, but also banned from visiting any other club premises.

This initiative takes place in a context of increasing pressure for part of federations, clubs and fans so that discriminatory attitudes, especially at sporting events, are eradicated. Conmebol, organizer of the Libertadores, has also been emphatic in its fight against racism and has already applied sanctions to clubs whose fans were caught carrying out acts of this type in previous matches. In line with this movement, Peñarol reinforced its commitment to an inclusive and respectful sporting environment.

FLAMENGO HAS SUPPORT IN URUGUAY 

The decision of Peñarolis a response to growing concerns about episodes of racism which, unfortunately, they have become more frequent in South American football. In recent years, the topic has gained even more relevance in continental competitions, such as the Libertadores, where clubs from different countries face each other and the presence of mass fans can generate tensions. Clubs like Flamengo have already faced situations in which their players were targets of racist attacks in international matches.

Flamengo, which has already spoken out publicly on several occasions on the issue, has a zero tolerance policy towards any racist demonstration. The Brazilian team has also been involved in episodes where its players were victims of racial insults in international competitions. Peñarol's firm stance is seen as a positive step to prevent further incidents from occurring in matches between the two teams.