Soccer

IT LOST! STAR SPECULATED BY FLAMENGO QUITS AND ARMS CONTRACT WITH RIVAL

The player had been linked as one of Mais Querido's interests at the beginning of this year

03 Mai 2024 | 20:21 |

Argentine Ángel Di Maria is one of the most coveted names in the football market. Currently at Benfica, in Portugal, he only has a contract until the end of the European season, therefore, he is free and can sign with any club. Along these lines, as he is an internationally renowned star, he is speculated on in many teams, including Brazilian ones. Among them, Flamengo is one of the main interested parties, but it should not be this time that the player will defend a Brazilian, but the destination could be South America.

In recent months, Ángel Di María revealed the his wish for the final stretch of his career, which is to play a Copa Libertadores for Rosário Central again. He stated this in an exclusive interview with the TyC Sports channel. However, even with a verbal agreement with the Argentine club, he received threats and, as a result, may give up on the idea of returning to his country. On the other hand, the renowned Argentine journalist, Hernán Castillo, brought updates and reported that the player can still go to Argentina, but not Rosario, but River Plate, which promises to enter the fight strongly.

This way, he has an offer from the giant in his hand, the desire to play for his favorite club, but the fear of the threat. At the same time, clubs from Brazil and even Europe, like Benfica itself, are interested. No matter what the destination, Di Maria needs to make a decision in the coming weeks, as the European season ends in about a month, when his contract with the Portuguese team ends.

At 36 years old, Di María was on the field 46 times this season for Benfica, with 16 goals and 13 assists. He is one of the stars of the club that is seeking the Portuguese Championship title, with 16 direct participation in goals in the 2023/24 season.

On his resume, the Argentine has the World Cup, Copa América, Finalíssima, Supercopa , Champions League, Portuguese Championship, French Championship, Spanish Championship, Olympics, among others. And speaking of the World Cup and Copa América, he was one of the main names alongside Lionel Messi, putting Argentina back on the path to victory.

There are 35 football titles, with only the Libertadores missing among the major competitions that already competed in his career. Your current contract is valid until the end of the European season, so it is now possible to sign a pre-contract with any club in the world, playing in July.

Last minute

Soccer

Flamengo director blasts refereeing after draw against Grêmio

The club's technical director questions the number of fouls called against the "Mais Querido" and suggests a pattern of decisions that hinder the team's offensive rhythm.

José Boto criticizes Paulo Zanovelli's refereeing and questions fouls called against Flamengo in a draw with Grêmio - photo: reproduction

31 Ago 2025 | 20:16 |

The draw between Flamengo and Grêmio at Maracanã, in the 22nd round of the Brasileirão , drew strong criticism from technical director José Boto. In an interview given in the mixed zone, the director pointed out errors by Paulo César Zanovelli's refereeing, which, in his view, would have hampered the Mais Querido's offensive performance.

According to José Boto , the number of fouls called against the team does not reflect their performance on the field. Mengão finished the match with 67% possession and 26 shots on goal, but the referee called 18 fouls against the red-blacks , seven more than Grêmio, who only committed 11.

"I don't think it was the main factor [for the draw], there were many factors. We had a lot of shots, we didn't get them right and the goalkeeper made saves. [Refereeing] It's worrying because it hinders our attacking avalanche. It's not the first time it's happened, it takes away the fluidity of our game and I don't think it's by chance... I don't know, we need to be very attentive to this [about a possible conspiracy]", declared the director.

ARBITRATION STANDARD

Boto reinforced his dissatisfaction by highlighting that the high number of fouls committed against a team that maintained greater offensive volume and possession of the ball would be "impossible" to happen naturally.

"The opponents play with the weapons they have [regarding fouls]. The stupidity is the referee's. It's impossible that we have 67% possession, shoot 26 times, and the referee manages to give us more fouls. That's impossible. A team that has more offensive volume doesn't commit more fouls than one that spends the whole time defending," said the Flamengo director.

DECISIONS THAT HARMED

Finally, the director reiterated that he sees a pattern of decisions that are detrimental to Flamengo: "This is a pattern that has already been verified. It can't happen. The opponents play as best they can and know how. All styles of play are legitimate. What can't happen is refereeing that harms us, disrupts the rhythm of the game . It's not the penalty, it was well-deserved. It's stalling the game, giving cards to our players when they don't even commit fouls. This type of refereeing, which isn't the first time, is something we need to be aware of."

IT LOST! STAR SPECULATED BY FLAMENGO QUITS AND ARMS CONTRACT WITH RIVAL