Soccer

PULGAR REVEALS INSPIRATION AND DETERMINATION: FLAMENGO’S NEW FOUL TAKER!

With a remarkable passion for taking free kicks, the Chilean midfielder seeks to follow in the footsteps of his mentor, Sinisa Mihajlovic, as he tries to conquer the role of main free kick taker at the Rio club.

Photo: FlaTV
Photo: FlaTV

03 Out 2023 | 23:58 |

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Erick Pulgar, one of the highlights of Flamengo's recent 1-0 victory over Bahia at Maracanã, gave an interview to FlaTV, the club's official YouTube channel, this Tuesday. During the match, Pulgar caught the attention for his skills as a free-kick taker, even hitting the post on two occasions.


During the interview, the Chilean midfielder revealed how he became a free-kick taker and shared the inspiration behind his skills in this regard . Pulgar shared: "I've always liked taking free kicks. I'm tall, normally tall people will head corners, but I also like taking corners. So, I prefer taking free kicks and corners than jumping to head them."


< The origin of his ability to take free kicks goes back to his time at Bologna, where he had the opportunity to be coached by Sinisa Mihajlovic. Sinisa Mihajlovic, born in the former Yugoslavia in 1969, was a star for the Yugoslav national team and also had a distinguished career in Italian football, playing for clubs such as Roma, Sampdoria, Inter and Lazio.


Although he was a defender , Mihajlovic scored 38 goals for these clubs, including an impressive 28 free-kick goals, an Italian record that was only broken years later by Andrea Pirlo. Erick Pulgar had the honor of being coached by Mihajlovic at Bologna in 2019, where he honed his skills as a free-kick taker.

In addition to his time at Bologna, Pulgar also scored free-kick goals during his Fiorentina career. Now, at Flamengo, Pulgar seeks to take on the role of free kick taker and follow in the footsteps of his inspiration, Sinisa Mihajlovic. Although his first attempts in the game against Bahia twice stopped at the post, Pulgar is determined to continue improving his technique. Pulgar ended the interview by praising other free kick takers in the Flamengo squad and expressed his determination to continue working to score goals from free kicks.



Soccer

José Boto claims that 'international stars' sought to play for Flamengo

Mengão is one of the protagonists in the football market after the financial restructuring and the director says he was approached by big names

José Boto reveals that big names in world football offered themselves to Flamengo in the window - Photo: Reproduction/Flamengo
José Boto reveals that big names in world football offered themselves to Flamengo in the window - Photo: Reproduction/Flamengo

17 Set 2025 | 08:55 |

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Flamengo's latest transfer window had an impact on the European market . In an interview with UOL, football director José Boto stated that the arrivals of Saúl, Samuel Lino, Emerson Royal, and Carrascal increased the club's visibility among players playing outside of Brazil .


José Boto on players offering themselves to Flamengo: "There were important and well-known players who showed interest in coming"


"In terms of the market, this window has a bit of an impact in Europe, opening Flamengo 's doors even further to European players. They're seeing this type of player coming here and are more interested in coming," Boto stated.


WANTED BY STARS

The Portuguese director also revealed that prominent European football players had offered to play for Flamengo , but the club chose not to move forward with negotiations . According to him, there was no need for reinforcements in those positions.


"I won't name names, but after these signings, some important and well-known players showed interest in coming . These were positions we didn't need, and I've also said that sometimes, too much water kills the plant. We didn't want to turn it into something that could harm the team," he added.

HIRING UNDER BOTO'S MANAGEMENT

José Boto took over the club's management after Luiz Eduardo Baptista (BAP) was elected president. Since then, seven new signings have been confirmed, with a total investment of €48 million (approximately R$301 million) :

  • Juninho – 5 million euros (R$ 31 million)
  • Danilo – free
  • Jorginho – free
  • Saul – free
  • Samuel Lino – 22 million euros (R$ 143 million)
  • Emerson Royal – 9 million euros (R$ 59 million)
  • Carrascal – 12 million euros (R$ 78 million)


Soccer

Former Flamengo player plays a key role in the Asian Champions League comeback

A Mengão player recently left the club for Saudi Arabia and played a key role in overturning a 2-0 deficit.

Flamengo product Matheus Gonçalves shines in his debut for Al-Ahli in the Asian Champions League - Photo: reproduction
Flamengo product Matheus Gonçalves shines in his debut for Al-Ahli in the Asian Champions League - Photo: reproduction

17 Set 2025 | 08:28 |

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Midfielder Matheus Gonçalves, formerly of Flamengo , made his winning debut for Al-Ahli, from Saudi Arabia, this Monday (15). The Brazilian came on at half-time and was decisive in the team's comeback, which turned the game around to 4-2 over Nasaf Qarshi, from Uzbekistan, in the Asian Champions League. Al-Ahli went into the break with a 2-0 deficit. After the match, the player celebrated the positive start at his new club:


Matheus Gonçalves, ex-Flamengo: "It's just the beginning of a journey of hard work and achievements"


"It was a very special night for me. Making my debut in such an important competition and being able to help the team achieve a victory like this makes me very happy . The group showed strength and unity to seek a comeback, and I'm sure this is just the beginning of a journey of hard work and achievements here at Al-Ahli," said the Mengão youth player.


RECENT BUSINESS

Sold by Flamengo in August 2025, for 8 million euros (around R$ 50 million), Matheus arrives as one of Al-Ahli's bets for the season . The next challenge will be on Friday (19), against Al-Hilal, for the Saudi Championship.


Revealed as a professional in October 2022, Matheus Gonçalves has won important titles with Flamengo : two Carioca Championships, the Brazilian Super Cup, and the Brazilian Cup. In total, he played 57 matches for the main team, winning 36, drawing eight, losing 13, and scoring six goals.

AND MENGÃO?

While Matheus Gonçalves seeks his place in Saudi Arabia, Flamengo faces Estudiantes this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã . The return game, in La Plata, is already scheduled for September 25. The match will be broadcast on ESPN (pay TV) and Disney+ (streaming) throughout Brazil.


Soccer

Training session defines Flamengo's starting lineup against Estudiantes in the Copa Libertadores

Mengão will have a decisive duel in the quarterfinals of the competition against the club from La Plata and Filipe Luís will have an activity to choose the starting 11

Training defines Flamengo's starting lineup for the clash against Estudiantes in the Libertadores quarterfinals - Photo: Adriano Fontes/Flamengo
Training defines Flamengo's starting lineup for the clash against Estudiantes in the Libertadores quarterfinals - Photo: Adriano Fontes/Flamengo

17 Set 2025 | 08:06 |

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Flamengo returns to the field this Thursday (18), when they face Estudiantes (ARG), at Maracanã, for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. Preparations for the match will be completed this Wednesday (17), with the last training session led by Filipe Luís , at Ninho do Urubu.


During the training session, scheduled for 3:30 pm (Brasília time), the red-and-black coach is expected to define the starting lineup. The most likely lineup includes: Rossi; Royal, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, and Ayrton Lucas; De La Cruz (Allan), Saúl, and Arrascaeta; Plata, Pedro (Bruno Henrique), and Samuel Lino . However, confirmation will only come after the afternoon training session.


Despite the team's tendency, Filipe Luís can make changes based on the squad's movement at the training center. The coach has a habit of not repeating lineups and prepares the team based on what he studies about the opponents.


TRANSMISSION

The duel between Flamengo and Estudiantes will not be shown on free-to-air TV and will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN (pay TV) and Disney+ (streaming) , but fans will be kept up to date with all the details of the match on Gazeta do Urubu.


RETURN GAME

The return match takes place next Thursday (25), at the Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium, in La Plata, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time). The victory at Maracanã is considered crucial for Flamengo to arrive in Argentina with an advantage in the fight for a place in the Libertadores semifinals.



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