
Soccer
03 Jun 2025 | 10:16 |
Amidst a climate of tension between Flamengo and the Ecuadorian Football Federation , striker Gonzalo Plata reported to the Ecuadorian national team on Monday afternoon (3), even while recovering from a knee injury . The Rio de Janeiro club had issued an official statement criticizing the call-up , but so far, neither the player nor the federation have made any public statements.
Plata landed in Guayaquil and avoided the local press by leaving through an alternative exit at the airport. Earlier in the evening, coach Sebastián Beccacece led the first training session at Emelec's George Capwell stadium, but the Flamengo player stayed at the hotel , alongside the also injured Pedro Vite . Even so, both appeared in images released by the Ecuadorian team during the training camp.
There is no condition for him to enter the field..."
The case caused concern in Gávea. After the 5-0 win over Fortaleza on Sunday (2), Filipe Luís was asked about the striker's situation , but avoided controversy. Even so, the coach assured that Plata is not fit to play.
“The doctor can explain this issue better than I can. Plata has a knee injury and was on a stretcher until today . There is a game in four or five days... there is no way he can take the field. The national team has the right to call him up and take him there, but something happened that the doctor has to explain,” said Filipe Luís.
During a visit by Ecuador's coaching staff to Rio de Janeiro, Plata received the national team's doctor at home and accepted a different treatment than that given by Flamengo. The player himself informed the club after the decision. The call-up, however, requires that the player report , under penalty of suspension imposed by FIFA, unless the player obtains official clearance from coach Beccacece.
The striker has not played for 31 days , since the first leg against Botafogo-PB, in the third phase of the Copa do Brasil, when he was on the field for 79 minutes. Since then, he has been absent from Flamengo in nine consecutive games , including decisive clashes in the Libertadores , Copa do Brasil and Campeonato Brasileiro . The board expects Plata to be fully recovered in time for the Club World Cup, which starts on June 16 in the United States.
Mengão goes to Arena Fonte Nova to face Tricolor, led by Rogério Ceni, looking to maintain its lead in the championship table
05 Out 2025 | 16:25 |
This Sunday (5), at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), Flamengo faces Bahia , at Arena Fonte Nova, for the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship. Despite Tricolor being the third best home team in the competition, the historical record and tactical analysis indicate promising paths for Filipe Luís' team to seek the three points away from home.
Coach Filipe Luís should send onto the field a Flamengo team with: Rossi; Varela, Léo Ortiz, Danilo and Ayrton Lucas; De La Cruz (Allan), Jorginho and Arrascaeta; Plata (Carrascal), Samuel Lino (Everton Cebolinha) and Pedro (Bruno Henrique).
On the other side, Rogério Ceni's Bahia faces a series of absences, 12 in total, and will need to find alternatives to form the team. The likely starting lineup includes: Ronaldo; Gilberto, David Duarte (Fredi), Rezende, and Zé Guilherme; Acevedo, Jean Lucas, and Everton Ribeiro; Kayky, Iago Borduchi (Michel Araujo, Tiago, or Cauly), and Willian José.
Flamengo's recent record gives them confidence. Since 2006, in 11 matches under Bahia, the Red-Blacks have won six (55%), drawn two, and lost three . Their dominance has been heightened in recent matches: in the last seven matches, they have won five, drawn one, and lost only one. This record reinforces the Red-Black Nation's optimism for another decisive round in the fight for the Brasileirão title.
Midfielder wants to stay at Mengão until the end of his career and an absurd season should bring results for a contract extension
05 Out 2025 | 15:00 |
Flamengo and Giorgian De Arrascaeta are close to sealing a new contract agreement . Talks resumed in recent weeks, and new meetings are expected to take place during the FIFA World Cup break, with the aim of finalizing the details of a renewal until December 2028, with an automatic extension until 2029 subject to performance targets. This information was provided by the 'GE' portal.
The number 10 is currently under contract with the club until the end of 2026, but he has publicly expressed his desire to stay longer. Initially, the board saw no need to bring forward the negotiations , but their stance has changed given the Uruguayan's prominence, as he is enjoying his highest-scoring season since joining Flamengo in 2019.
Flamengo has already received the midfielder's salary expectations and has continued the talks that began in February, which had been interrupted in May. Negotiations are being led by executive director José Boto and businessman Daniel Fonseca , a former Uruguayan international who has been responsible for Arrascaeta's career.
After initial unease, when negotiations were postponed on the grounds that the issue would only be resumed in 2025 , the parties are now in sync and optimistic. Fonseca and Boto are expected to meet again next week in Rio de Janeiro to advance the agreement.
The club's board decided to address the issue during the strike period to avoid distracting from the season's sporting objectives. In addition to Arrascaeta, the club also plans to extend Filipe Luís's contract.
Arrascaeta has 19 goals and 13 assists in 48 appearances for Flamengo in 2025, figures that place him as one of the squad's standout performers. In 2019 alone, his first year with the club, he directly contributed to more goals: 18 scored and 19 assists.
Mengão goes to Arena Fonte Nova this Sunday (5) to face Tricolor in the 27th round of the Brasileirão seeking to remain in the lead
05 Out 2025 | 14:00 |
Flamengo returns to the field this Sunday (05), at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), to face Bahia, at Arena Fonte Nova , in Salvador. The duel is valid for the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship and will be broadcast exclusively by Premiere (pay-per-view).
The Rubro-Negro faces the Tricolor with some important absences : Erick Pulgar remains out for physical reconditioning after recovering from a fifth metatarsal injury in his right foot. The midfielder is only expected to return after the next FIFA International Matchday.
Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro are suspended after receiving their third yellow card in the draw with Cruzeiro on Thursday (02). Saúl Ñíguez felt pain in his left ankle and did not travel to Salvador , being preserved by the technical committee.
Coach Rogério Ceni will need to be creative when putting together a team against Flamengo . Bahia has 13 players out due to injuries and suspensions:
Bahia (Rogerio Ceni): Ronaldo; Gilberto, Fredi, Rezende and Ze Guilherme; Acevedo, Jean Lucas and Everton Ribeiro; Kayky, Iago Borduchi (Michel Araujo) and Willian Jose.
Flamengo (Filipe Luis): Rossi; Varela, Danilo, Leo Ortiz and Ayrton Lucas; De la Cruz (Allan), Jorginho and Arrascaeta; Plata (Carrascal), Samuel Lino (Everton Cebolinha) and Pedro.
Without Saul, check out Flamengo's likely lineup to face Bahia in the Brasileirão
05 Out 2025 | 10:27