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Samba lost one of its greatest references this Friday (8): Arlindo Cruz passed away at the age of 66 in Rio de Janeiro. Recognized for his vast work with 795 registered compositions, the samba singer marked generations with hits such as “Saudade Louca” and “Boto Meu Povo na Rua” . Born in Madureira, the birthplace of Rio samba, Arlindo was also a passionate Flamengo fan.

His retirement from the stage occurred after suffering a stroke in 2017, which impacted his career and health. Family members confirmed his death, without disclosing the official cause, but emphasized the artist's cultural legacy and his love for soccer, especially for the "Mais Querido" (Most Beloved). The wake will be open to the Rio de Janeiro community.

MUSICAL TRAJECTORY AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO SAMBA

The son of Arlindão, who had meetings with samba artists like Candeia at home, Arlindo Cruz immersed himself in the musical world from an early age. At 17, he began his professional career as a cavaquinho player on Candeia's 1975 album "Roda de Samba." Over time, he became known for his mastery of the banjo, an instrument he helped popularize in samba and which became his trademark.

A central figure in the founding of the Cacique de Ramos samba circle, the musician rubbed shoulders with greats such as Zeca Pagodinho and Jorge Aragão. With Fundo de Quintal, a legendary samba group, he recorded 10 albums that helped cement the genre . From the 1990s onward, he developed a solo career with successful albums such as "Arlindinho" (1993) and important collaborations with producer Sombrinha.

ROOTS IN MADUREIRA AND A PASSION FOR FLAMENGO

Madureira, a neighborhood that forged its cultural and musical identity, was the setting for compositions that celebrated everyday life, street smarts, and the richness of Rio's samba. A strong connection to Flamengo was present in his daily life: Arlindo frequented the Maracanã stadium, participated in club events, and received tributes on special occasions , cementing his status as a Flamengo icon.

Singer Milton Nascimento and record label Sony Music filed a lawsuit against Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, alleging the improper use of the song "Clube da Esquina nº 2". The work, written by Milton, Lô Borges and Márcio Borges , was allegedly used without authorization in a video posted on the club's social media in January 2025, during the announcement of Gabigol's signing from Flamengo.

According to information published by the newspaper O Globo, the video was produced and released by Cruzeiro without the proper authorization of the artists involved in the song's creation . Sony Music , which represents the copyright of the work, is seeking compensation for material damages, while Milton Nascimento and the Borges brothers are seeking compensation for moral damages.

FINE AMOUNT

The court order stipulates a sum of R$50,000 for each of the songwriters involved . Despite the good relationship between the artist and the Minas Gerais club in the recent past, the lawsuit remains ongoing due to the dispute between the parties.

In 2022, after announcing his retirement from the stage at the age of 80, Milton Nascimento was honored by Cruzeiro at a concert held at the Mineirão stadium in Belo Horizonte. On the occasion, the singer received a personalized jersey from the team and a letter describing him as " Cruzeiro's international ambassador ."

ABSENCE OF AUTHORIZATION

The lawsuit highlights the importance of respecting copyright when using musical works, especially in advertising materials and highly visible social media content . Despite the history of tributes, the composers claim that the lack of formal consent for the use of the song violates their rights and compromises the recognition of the intellectual property involved.

Despite not stepping on the court in recent weeks, João Fonseca reached another significant milestone in his career. The 18-year-old rose to 47th place in the ATP rankings , released this Monday (22). The improvement in the ranking came after Marcos Giron, from the United States, dropped 11 places.

This is the best finish of Fonseca 's career, and he continues to break records. He became the 12th Brazilian in history to enter the top 50 since the beginning of the Open Era in 1968. Now, he also debuts among the ten highest-ranked Brazilian tennis players of all time, occupying 10th place , surpassing Cássio Motta, who was 48th in the world in 1986.

TOP 10 BRAZILIANS IN THE HISTORY OF THE ATP RANKING

1. Gustavo Kuerten – 1st
2. Thomaz Bellucci – 21st
3. Thomaz Koch – 24th
4. Fernando Meligeni – 25th
5. Luiz Mattar – 29th
6. Marcos Hocevar – 30th
7. Jaime Oncins – 34th
8. Carlos Kirmayr – 36th
9. Flavio Saretta – 44th
10. João Fonseca – 47th

ON THE RISE, EVEN WITHOUT PLAYING

João Fonseca hasn't played since July 4th, when he was eliminated by Nicolás Jarry in the third round of Wimbledon. Now, he's preparing for his next match: the Toronto Masters 1000, which will take place from July 27th to August 7th . The tournament is the first major hard-court event of the North American season and serves as a tune-up for the US Open at the end of August.

This year's Toronto Masters will have significant absences. Names like Jannik Sinner , Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Jack Draper have already announced they will not participate in the tournament, prioritizing rest after the intense sequence between Roland Garros and Wimbledon.