Soccer

Close to the World Cup debut against Esperance, see Flamengo's record against African teams

The main curiosity is that practically all the games came on Fla's tours of Africa and games against local teams.

Flamengo's tours of Africa dominate the list, with visits to South Africa, Angola, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Libya, Tunisia and Zaire.
Flamengo's tours of Africa dominate the list, with visits to South Africa, Angola, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Libya, Tunisia and Zaire.

12 Jun 2025 | 09:32 |

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Flamengo has already traveled to the United States , the country that will host the Club World Cup , and is counting down the days until its debut against Espérance-TUN . And the game against the Tunisian team will mark a special moment for the red-and-black team, which will have only its second official game against the African team. However, the red-and-black team has a history against African teams.


ONLY ONE OFFICER?


The main curiosity is that practically all of the games were on Flamengo 's tours of Africa . The only match outside the African continent was precisely the only one considered official, in 2022. Defeated by Al Hilal-SAU in the semi-final of the Club World Cup that year, Flamengo played for third place with Al Ahly-EGY. And the game was tough, with the Egyptian team taking the lead on the scoreboard at a certain point. In the second half, Rubro-Negro scored the 4-2.


Flamengo 's tours of Africa dominate the list, with visits to South Africa, Angola, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Libya, Tunisia and Zaire . And here's a curious fact: on one of these trips, Flamengo faced Espérance, in Tunisia, in 1993. They won 1-0, with a goal by Marcelinho Carioca.

LET'S GO BACK TO THE RETROSPECT


In total, Flamengo has played 22 matches against African teams , and the record is excellent: 15 wins, six draws and only one defeat . The Mais Querido — a very prolific attack — scored 52 goals and conceded 21.

This retrospective gives a high success rate of 77.2% , indicating that the club has not had many difficulties in the past. It is true, however, that Espérance in 2025 is above these opponents. The only defeat occurred on a Flamengo tour of Libya in 1985. In a friendly against the country's national team, the Mais Querido ended up being defeated 2-0.



Soccer

Injured, Alex Sandro already knows when he will be able to return to Flamengo

Out since Mais Querido's rout of Vitória, the full-back underwent treatment on his calf and should reinforce Mengão in the knockout round debut.

Alex Sandro is expected to reinforce Flamengo against Estudiantes in the Libertadores after a muscle injury - photo: reproduction
Alex Sandro is expected to reinforce Flamengo against Estudiantes in the Libertadores after a muscle injury - photo: reproduction

05 Set 2025 | 23:21 |

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Left-back Alex Sandro is expected to return to action on September 18, when Flamengo faces Estudiantes, from Argentina, in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores, at Maracanã, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time).


According to information from SBT Rio journalist Venê Casagrande, the player is being prepared by the medical department to be available for Filipe Luís. Besides him, the coach also has Ayrton Lucas and Matías Viña as options for the position.


DETAILS OF THE INJURY SUFFERED


In Flamengo 's 8-0 rout of Vitória, Alex Sandro had to be substituted in the 24th minute of the first half after experiencing pain in his left calf . Uruguayan Viña came on in his place and completed the match.

In an official statement, the club explained the situation: " Athlete Alex Sandro, substituted in the first half of the match against Vitória, underwent an MRI scan . The results revealed a muscle injury in his left calf. The player has already begun treatment under the supervision of Flamengo's medical department," the team reported.


INJURY ALSO PREVENTED CALL-UP

The severity of the injury also forced Alex Sandro out of Carlo Ancelotti's squad for the Brazilian national team. In the full-back's absence, Brazil defeated Chile 3-0 and now prepares to face Bolivia at altitude in the next round.


Soccer

Missing Flamengo? Zenit defender updates Gerson's situation in Russia

After the Russian team paid the 25 million euro release clause, the midfielder left Mais Querido and has already played six games for the Russian club.

Gerson leaves Flamengo for Zenit after paying the release clause, with Douglas Santos ensuring a quick adaptation and happiness at the Russian club - photo: reproduction
Gerson leaves Flamengo for Zenit after paying the release clause, with Douglas Santos ensuring a quick adaptation and happiness at the Russian club - photo: reproduction

05 Set 2025 | 23:12 |

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Flamengo officially announced Gerson 's departure on July 4, 2025, after Zenit of Russia paid the player's release clause . Since then, some Flamengo fans have questioned whether the midfielder was satisfied with the move. Teammate Douglas Santos, full-back at the Russian club, assured that the "Joker" is happy with the new phase of his career.


" Zenit is a great club that welcomes foreign players very well. I've been there for six years, and they've been improving this every year. They're even learning Portuguese to welcome Brazilians. Gerson was definitely welcomed and is happy ," said Douglas Santos in an interview in the mixed zone.


Introduced shortly after the FIFA Club World Cup, Gerson has already played six matches wearing the number 9 jersey for Zenit. So far, he has yet to score or provide any assists. The midfielder has started four matches, totaling 341 minutes on the pitch.


GERSON'S VICTORIOUS TRAJECTORY

Before his transfer, Gerson had spent more than two years in his second stint at Gávea. In total, he played 253 matches, scoring 19 goals and providing 34 assists. During his time there, he won major titles: a Libertadores, two Brazilian Championships, a Copa do Brasil, four Cariocas, three Brazilian Super Cups, and a Recopa Sudamericana.


AMOUNT OF TERMINATION FINE

Gerson 's departure was for a fee of €25 million (approximately R$160 million). The sum represented one of the largest transfers Mengão has received in recent years, but it didn't lessen the weight of the departure of one of the team's technical leaders.


Soccer

Flamengo's U-20 World Cup hero goalkeeper receives praise from Taffarel in the National Team

Carlo Ancelotti called up the 18-year-old for the national team's training sessions in Teresópolis and the Mengão goalkeeper was praised by the world champion goalkeeper

Léo Nanneti, Flamengo's 18-year-old goalkeeper, was praised by Taffarel during the Brazilian National Team's training session in Teresópolis - photo: reproduction
Léo Nanneti, Flamengo's 18-year-old goalkeeper, was praised by Taffarel during the Brazilian National Team's training session in Teresópolis - photo: reproduction

05 Set 2025 | 19:02 |

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Coach Carlo Ancelotti has selected five athletes from the youth ranks of Rio de Janeiro clubs to participate in the Brazilian national team's training session in Teresópolis. Among those selected is Léo Nanneti, Flamengo's goalkeeper, who shone in the Under-20 Intercontinental Cup victory over Barcelona.


During a press conference, four-time world champion and current goalkeeping coach for the Brazilian national team, Taffarel , made a point of joking and praising the young Flamengo player. " I didn't like him. I didn't like him because in the first training session he asked me to put gloves on him (laughs) ," he said before concluding.


" You know those gloves that are really tight? You can put one on and you can't put the other on. He said, 'Professor, can you put the glove on with me?' I said, 'Get out of here now' (laughs). I'm a coach, I'm not a glove fitter," he said in a relaxed tone.


ADMIRATION OF TAFAREL BY YOUNG MAN

Tafarel then revealed his admiration for the youngster: " He's a really cool kid. I didn't even realize he was the goalkeeper in that final (of the U-20 World Cup). I was really happy he came here with us; he has great potential. I liked him, especially because he's an 18-year-old kid, but he already has a real professional attitude. I'm sure he'll bring a lot of joy to Flamengo," he concluded.


RED-BLACK PROMISE

Léo Nanneti, who came through Flamengo 's youth ranks since the U-9s, is considered one of the club's brightest prospects. A key player in the U-20 World Cup final, the goalkeeper saved two penalty kicks against Barcelona , securing the title for Mengão.


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