Soccer

Close to reinforcing Flamengo, Irishman Michael Johnston could make history - understand

If the signing goes through, the Premier League Serie B striker will be the first Irish player to play for an elite South American club.

 Michael Johnston is on his way to Flamengo and could make history as the first Irishman in national football - photo: reproduction
Michael Johnston is on his way to Flamengo and could make history as the first Irishman in national football - photo: reproduction

06 Jul 2025 | 13:31 |

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Flamengo is about to officially sign 26-year-old striker Michael Johnston , currently linked to Celtic in Scotland. The player is expected to arrive in Rio de Janeiro in the next few days for medical examinations and, if everything goes as expected, he could become the first Irishman to play for a major club in South American football — a fact that has generated great repercussion in the press in his country.


The possible reinforcement is part of the Rubro-Negro's strategy of seeking creative and effective solutions for the offensive sector, especially after injuries that affected important players in the squad. Johnston is seen as a market opportunity and an athlete with a technical profile that is different from the names already available in the group.


NEW OFFENSIVE PROFILE IS SEEKED


The club's board sees Michael Johnston as a player with a unique style, capable of quickly adapting to the tactical system led by Filipe Luís. The signing is in line with the club's objective of renewing its attacking options and offering the coach more dynamic alternatives in attack.

Despite Flamengo 's rich international history, athletes born in Europe are still a rarity with the Sacred Mantle. In more than 100 years of history, only five Europeans have officially defended the Rio de Janeiro club.


EUROPEAN PLAYERS

Harry Welfare – England

Jose Ufarte – Spain

Mariusz Piekarski – Poland

Petkovic – Serbia

Pablo Mari – Spain

If confirmed as the sixth name on this list, the Irish striker will write a new chapter in the history of Mais Querido , representing not only a technical reinforcement, but also a symbolic milestone in relations between European and South American football.


Soccer

It's out! Check out Flamengo's lineup to face Grêmio

Leader of the Brasileirão, Mengao faces Tricolor this Sunday (31), at Maracanã, at 4 pm; Filipe Luís confirmed De La Cruz as a starter and has three absences

Flamengo faces Grêmio at Maracanã in the 22nd round of the Brasileirão with De La Cruz as a starter and three confirmed absences - photo: reproduction
Flamengo faces Grêmio at Maracanã in the 22nd round of the Brasileirão with De La Cruz as a starter and three confirmed absences - photo: reproduction

31 Ago 2025 | 15:55 |

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Flamengo returns to the field this Sunday (31) to face Grêmio , in a match valid for the 22nd round of the Brazilian Championship. The duel takes place at Maracanã, at 4 pm (Brasília time), and marks another challenge for the team led by Filipe Luís, who leads the competition with 46 points.


For the match, the coach confirmed the entry of De La Cruz in midfield, filling in for the injured Jorginho. Flamengo will therefore field the following players: Rossi; Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, and Ayrton Lucas; De La Cruz, Saúl, and Arrascaeta; Gonzalo Plata, Samuel Lino, and Pedro.


IMPORTANT DEFAULTS


Mengão will be without three players. Erick Pulgar is still recovering from foot surgery, while Alex Sandro is nursing a calf injury. Jorginho is in the medical department due to pain in the hamstring of his left thigh. Despite the absences, the red-and-black squad remains confident, boasting the best attack and the tightest defense in the championship: 44 goals scored and only nine conceded.

WHERE TO WATCH FLAMENGO X GRÊMIO LIVE


Rede Globo will broadcast the match throughout Brazil, except for the state of São Paulo . Fans will also be able to watch the match via Premiere pay-per-view.

Grêmio, in turn, will take to the field with Tiago Volpi; Marcos Rocha, Noriega, Kannemann (captain) and Marlon; Dodi, Cuéllar and Edenilson; Cristian Olivera, Braithwaite and Carlos Vinícius.


Soccer

Check out Grêmio's likely lineup to face Flamengo

Mengão hosts Tricolor this Sunday (31) at 4 pm at Maracanã and Mano Menezes will have to deal with absences to choose the starting 11

Check out Grêmio's likely lineup to face Flamengo in the Brasileirão - Photo: Reproduction/Grêmio FBPA
Check out Grêmio's likely lineup to face Flamengo in the Brasileirão - Photo: Reproduction/Grêmio FBPA

31 Ago 2025 | 14:39 |

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Flamengo and Grêmio face each other this Sunday (31), in a match valid for the 22nd round of the Brazilian Championship . The ball rolls at Maracanã, starting at 4 pm (Brasília time), with the promise of a full house, with tickets sold out since Wednesday .


PROBABLE GRÊMIO LINEUP


Coach Mano Menezes outlined the team that should start the match against the championship leader : Tiago Volpi; Marcos Rocha, Wagner Leonardo, Kannemann and Marlon; Dodi, Cuéllar and Edenilson; Pavón (Carlos Vinicius), Cristian Olivera and Braithwaite.


TRICOLOR'S SHORTAGES

Grêmio arrives at the match with a significant shortage. Seven players are unavailable for Mano Menezes:


  • Alex Santana (suspended)
  • Alysson (sprained ankle)
  • Balbuena (right ankle surgery)
  • Villasanti (left knee surgery)
  • João Lucas (muscle injury)
  • Gustavo Martins (right thigh injury)
  • Monsalve (right shoulder dislocation)
TEAMS' MOMENT IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP

Flamengo leads the Brasileirão with 43 points from 20 matches (14 wins, four draws, and two losses) . Grêmio, in turn, sits in 14th place with 24 points, the result of six wins, six draws, and eight losses.

WHERE TO WATCH

The match will be broadcast live on Rede Globo, on free-to-air television , throughout most of Brazil. The exception is the state of São Paulo, where the classic between Corinthians and Palmeiras will be shown. The match will also be available nationwide on Premiere via pay-per-view.


Soccer

Flamengo announces players related to last-minute absence against Grêmio

Mengão receives Tricolor this Sunday (31) at Maracanã and announced the players who will be available to coach Filipe Luís

Flamengo releases list of players for the match against Grêmio in the Brasileirão - Photo: Adriano Fontes/Flamengo
Flamengo releases list of players for the match against Grêmio in the Brasileirão - Photo: Adriano Fontes/Flamengo

31 Ago 2025 | 13:53 |

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Flamengo released this Sunday morning (31) the list of players related to the duel against Grêmio , valid for the 22nd round of the Brasileirão. The main absence is midfielder Jorginho , who had been in doubt throughout the week after feeling muscle discomfort.


Despite participating in a separate training session on Saturday, the player felt pain again during Sunday morning's training session and was rested by the coaching staff. See the list of players involved in the Brazilian Championship match.


RELATED
  • Allan
  • Ayrton Lucas
  • Bruno Henrique
  • Carrascal
  • Danilo
  • Arrascaeta
  • From the Cross
  • Dyogo Alves
  • Emerson Royal
  • Everton Onion
  • Evertton Araújo
  • Varela
  • Luiz Araújo
  • Leo Ortiz
  • Leo Pereira
  • Matheus Cunha
  • Michael
  • Pedro
  • Silver
  • Rossi
  • Samuel Lino
  • Saul
  • Vineyard
  • Wallace Yan
OTHER CONFIRMED DEFAULTS


In addition to Jorginho, Flamengo will also be without Alex Sandro, who is recovering from an injury . At left back, Filipe Luís will have Ayrton Lucas and Matías Viña, both available for the match. Juninho, however, remains out of the club's plans and was not included in the list. The board is working to determine new destinations for the players.

FLAMENGO LEADS THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP


The undisputed leader of the competition, Rubro-Negro, has 46 points from 20 games. Cruzeiro is right behind with 44, but has already played two games. Thus, Palmeiras, with 42 points and a game in hand, emerges as the main contender in the battle for the top spot . Immediately after the match at Maracanã, the São Paulo team faces Corinthians at Neo Química Arena, in a classic that could shake up the top of the table.

DECISIVE CONFRONTATION AT MARACANÃ

Flamengo and Grêmio face each other this Sunday (31), at 4 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã. While Mais Querido fights to extend its lead at the top , the team from Rio Grande do Sul, in 14th place, seeks to move away from the relegation zone.



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