Pedro participated in 44% of Flamengo's goals this year

Flamengo returns to the field this Thursday (18) to face Estudiantes (ARG) in the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. The clash pits one of the most expensive squads in the tournament against one of the most financially modest.

According to data from the specialized website ' Transfermarkt ', Estudiantes has the second least valuable squad among those qualified for the quarterfinals, valued at 45.6 million euros (approximately R$283.8 million). Flamengo is at the other end of the list: it has the second most expensive squad in the competition, estimated at 195.1 million euros (approximately R$1.2 billion), behind only Palmeiras.

LIST OF MOST VALUABLE CLUBS

• Palmeiras – €212.15 million (R$1.324 billion)
• Flamengo – €195.10 million (R$1.217 billion)
• São Paulo – €89.85 million (R$560.5 million)
• River Plate (ARG) – €86.9 million (R$542.1 million)
• Racing (ARG) – €82.03 million (R$512 million)
• Vélez Sarsfield (ARG) – €50.78 million (R$316.9 million)
• Students – €45.48 million (R$283.8 million)
• LDU (EQU) – €16.7 million (R$104.2 million)

PATH OF FLAMENGO AND STUDENTS

Flamengo advanced to the quarterfinals after eliminating Internacional in the round of 16, winning both matches. Estudiantes secured their spot by defeating Cerro Porteño (Pará), winning away from home and drawing in La Plata . This Thursday's match promises to test the value of their investment against the Argentines' tradition.

Flamengo U-20 will be represented at the World Cup by two players. Coach Ramon Menezes called up, this Thursday (18), defenders João Victor and Iago to defend the Brazilian National Team in the tournament. The competition will be held in Chile between September 27 and October 19.

Brazil is in Group C of the U-20 World Cup and will face Mexico, Morocco, and Spain in the initial phase. A total of 24 teams participate in the competition, divided into six groups of four teams each. The top two teams in each group and the four best third-place teams advance to the round of 16. From this stage onward, the matches become knockout until the title is decided.

COMPLETE LIST OF 21 PLAYERS

Goalkeepers: Felipe Longo ( Corinthians ), Lucas Furtado (Vitória-POR) and Otávio (Cruzeiro).

Defenders: Gilberto (Palmeiras), Igor Serrote (Al Jazira-UAE), Leandrinho (Vasco), Léo Derik (Athletico-PR), Bruno Alves (Cruzeiro), Iago (Flamengo) and João Victor ( Flamengo ).

Midfielders: Coutinho (Palmeiras), João Cruz (Athletico-PR), Murilo (Cruzeiro), Rayan Lucas (Sporting-POR) and Rhuan Gabriel (Cruzeiro).

Forwards: Deivid Washington (Chelsea-ING), Erick Belé (Palmeiras), Gustavo Prado (Internacional), Luighi (Palmeiras), Pedrinho (Zenit-RUS) and Wesley (Al Nassr-SAU).

Flamengo said goodbye to the Women's Copa do Brasil this Wednesday (17), after a 1-0 defeat to São Paulo, in the quarterfinals of the tournament. After the final whistle, striker Cristiane spoke out and made harsh criticisms of the refereeing.

Flamengo's Cristiane, after elimination from the Copa do Brasil: "It was biased refereeing"

"Everyone saw today's match , no need to even talk about it. The refereeing was biased, and it also went wrong in São Paulo's favor. But when the refereeing ends up deciding the match, it gets complicated . I don't know the choices made for a game as big as this, Flamengo vs. São Paulo," the player declared.

She continued: " Unfortunately, today had a big impact on us . We've made significant progress compared to the beginning of the year, that's clear. But when the refereeing has a direct impact, it gets difficult," Cristiane concluded.

HOW WAS THE GAME?

The first half of the derby was evenly matched. São Paulo started better, but after 20 minutes, Flamengo began to control possession. Even so, neither team managed to score before halftime . In the second half, the São Paulo team came back with more intensity and capitalized on a defensive lapse. Duda Serrana appeared unmarked to score the winning goal and secure the tricolor's place in the semifinals.

FLAMENGO'S NEXT CHALLENGE

After being eliminated from the Copa do Brasil, the Meninas da Gávea return to the field this Saturday (20), for their debut in the Campeonato Carioca, against Búzios, at 3 pm (Brasília time). Flamengo is the current state champion and holds the hegemony in women's football in Rio , with eight titles won so far.