Soccer

Porto plans to revamp the squad and puts former Flamengo player on the layoff list

Early elimination in the United States prompted Portugal's team to consider releasing nine athletes, including a former Mengão athlete

Otávio and Pepê could leave Futebol Clube do Porto after poor performance in the Club World Cup - photo: reproduction
Otávio and Pepê could leave Futebol Clube do Porto after poor performance in the Club World Cup - photo: reproduction

27 Jun 2025 | 17:11 |

Icon Comentário0

The elimination in the group stage of the Club World Cup was a hard blow for Futebol Clube do Porto. Defeated by Inter Miami and unable to beat Palmeiras and Al Ahly , the Portuguese club is going through a turbulent time and is preparing a major overhaul. According to the Portuguese newspaper A Bola, nine players could be released — among them, Brazilians Otávio, a defender who came through the ranks at Flamengo , and Pepê, formerly of Grêmio.


In addition to the layoffs, coach Martín Alsemi is also on the ropes and may not be able to withstand the pressure for changes. The below-expected performance in the intercontinental tournament has generated strong internal dissatisfaction and protests from the fans.


BRAZILIANS ON THE LIST OF POSSIBLE EXITS


Otávio, who came through the ranks of Flamengo , arrived at Porto a season and a half ago. During that time, he played 35 matches, scored two goals and provided two assists. However, he was rarely used in the Club World Cup: he didn't even take the field against Palmeiras and Al Ahly , and only played three minutes against Inter Miami. The lack of opportunities reinforces the possibility of his departure.

Pepê, a forward with a notable stint at Grêmio, has been with the Portuguese club for four seasons. In the World Cup, he even scored a goal against Al Ahly, but he had little time on the field: 22 minutes against Palmeiras, none against Inter Miami and another 21 against the Egyptian team . Throughout his career at Porto, he has scored 25 goals and provided 28 assists in 192 games.


FANS REVOLT AND DEMAND

The elimination in the group stage provoked immediate reactions from the fans. After the Portuguese delegation returned, dozens of fans went to the airport to protest against the team's performance. Pressure also fell on the board, which during the tournament even stated that some players showed no interest in competing in the competition, preferring the vacation period.


Soccer

Flamengo defeats Estudiantes and takes advantage in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores

Mengão takes victory to the return game against the Argentines that takes place on the 25th, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at the Jorge Luis Hirschi stadium

Flamengo beat Estudiantes at Maracanã and takes advantage of the return leg of the Libertadores - photo: reproduction
Flamengo beat Estudiantes at Maracanã and takes advantage of the return leg of the Libertadores - photo: reproduction

18 Set 2025 | 23:24 |

Icon Comentário0

Flamengo defeated Argentina's Estudiantes 2-1 at the Maracanã Stadium . The red-and-black team decided the match in the first half with goals from Pedro and Varela. Mengão gave Estudiantes no time to breathe in Rio de Janeiro with a lightning goal.


Just 15 seconds in, Pedro capitalized on a pass from Plata, turned on his marker, and fired a left-footed shot to open the scoring. The quick goal undermined Argentina's strategy and galvanized the Rio de Janeiro team, who continued to press. A few minutes later, Ayrton Lucas crossed from the left and Varela hit a beautiful volley into Muslera's corner, extending the red-and-blacks' lead in the first half.


RED-BLACK DOMINATION


Even with a two-goal lead, Flamengo maintained control and nearly made it three with Pedro, whose shot was spectacularly saved by the Uruguayan goalkeeper. Estudiantes , for their part, barely threatened Rossi's goal and only managed to partially level the score in the final minutes of the first half . The feeling at Maracanã was that the 2-0 scoreline was a cheap one for the visitors.

SECOND HOT WEATHER


In the second half, the pace dropped. Coach Eduardo Domínguez made substitutions, trying to give the Argentine team more momentum, but he ran into the red-and-black defense. The match was not without its tense moments, with cards for Saúl, Samuel Lino, and Alexis Castro, and Plata's sending-off after a second yellow card in a dispute with Facundo Rodríguez . At the end of the second half, Estudiantes scored in the 46th minute to leave the match open in Argentina.

NEXT COMMITMENTS

With the 2-1 victory, Flamengo takes the lead in the quarterfinals of the Libertadores. The return leg is scheduled for the 25th, at 9:30 pm, at the Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium, in Argentina. Before that, the team led by Tite faces Vasco next Sunday (21), for the Brazilian Championship, again at Maracanã.


Soccer

Pedro surpasses Paquetá's 'surreal' record at Flamengo and makes history

Striker scores after 14 seconds against Estudiantes, surpassing the records of former players and consolidating himself as one of the club's top scorers

Pedro scores after 14 seconds, scoring the fastest goal in Flamengo's history in the Libertadores and breaking records at Maracanã - photo: reproduction
Pedro scores after 14 seconds, scoring the fastest goal in Flamengo's history in the Libertadores and breaking records at Maracanã - photo: reproduction

18 Set 2025 | 22:53 |

Icon Comentário0

Forward Pedro needed just 14 seconds to open the scoring for Flamengo against Estudiantes in a Copa Libertadores quarterfinal match. The lightning strike became the Rubro-Negro's fastest goal in the competition's history , surpassing Gerson's record and also surpassing Lucas Paquetá's historic mark, which held the club's fastest goal in an official match.


Until then, Flamengo 's fastest goal in the Libertadores was Gerson's, who had scored after 56 seconds against Bolívar, in 2024. Even so, in the current edition of the tournament, Pedro's goal was the second fastest overall , behind only Artur's goal, from Botafogo, which shook the net against LDU after 13 seconds in the round of 16.


PEDRO'S NUMBERS FOR FLAMENGO


293 games

148 goals


35 assists

BOARD PLANS RENEWALS

According to an investigation by Gazeta do Urubu, the club's board intends to renew the contracts of Filipe Luís and Arrascaeta in 2025. Pedro and goalkeeper Rossi are expected to have their contracts extended next season. Internally, there's no sign of the striker's dissatisfaction with the club.

FLAMENGO'S NEXT GAME

After beating Estudiantes at Maracanã this Thursday (18), Mengão faces Vasco next Sunday (21), for the Brazilian Championship. The match takes place again at the Rio de Janeiro team's stadium.


Soccer

Pedro scores historic goal in Flamengo vs Estudiantes match

The striker opens the scoring against Estudiantes at a packed Maracanã stadium, reaching his 150th goal in the red and black jersey and consolidating an important milestone in the Libertadores Cup

Pedro scores after 15 seconds against Estudiantes, reaching 150 goals for Flamengo and becoming a historic highlight in the Libertadores - photo: reproduction
Pedro scores after 15 seconds against Estudiantes, reaching 150 goals for Flamengo and becoming a historic highlight in the Libertadores - photo: reproduction

18 Set 2025 | 22:37 |

Icon Comentário0

Flamengo won an important chapter this Wednesday (18), in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores . After just 15 seconds, Pedro scored against Estudiantes at a packed Maracanã, opening the scoring for the Rio de Janeiro team. The goal not only guaranteed an initial advantage in the duel but also marked the striker's 150th goal with the red-black shirt , equaling Bebeto in eighth place among the greatest scorers in the club's history.


The goal against Argentina also represented Pedro's 26th for Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores, a figure that puts him behind only Gabigol, with 30 goals, in the club's all-time rankings in the tournament . Furthermore, the number 9 became the third-highest Brazilian scorer in the continental competition.


PEDRO'S GENERAL NUMBERS FOR FLAMENGO
  • 293 games
  • 150 goals
  • 35 assists
PEDRO'S PERFORMANCE IN THE SEASON
  • 30 games
  • 13 goals
  • 5 assists
FLAMENGO BOARD WANTS TO RENEW


According to information obtained by Gazeta do Urubu, the club's management intends to renew the contracts of Filipe Luís and Arrascaeta in 2025. Pedro and goalkeeper Rossi are expected to have their contracts extended next season . Internally, there is no dissatisfaction surrounding the number 9.


envelope SUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER

envelopeSUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER


It's out! Check out Flamengo's lineup to face Estudiantes
Soccer

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

18 Set 2025 | 12:34

Icon Comentário0
Former Corinthians player retires with a revelation: “I missed playing for Flamengo”
Soccer

Former Corinthians player retires with a revelation: “I missed playing for Flamengo”

18 Set 2025 | 13:45

Icon Comentário0
Live: follow Flamengo vs Estudiantes in the Libertadores
Soccer

Live: follow Flamengo vs Estudiantes in the Libertadores

18 Set 2025 | 12:50

Icon Comentário0