Soccer

Repatriation or withdrawal? Flamengo ignores return of former player for the Super World Cup

The club's board continues to map out the transfer market in search of reinforcements, but the return of the old name is not in the plans, despite his good relationship with the club.

Willian Arão wants to return to Brazilian football, but Flamengo's board of directors defines new priorities in the market (Photo/ Instagram)
Willian Arão wants to return to Brazilian football, but Flamengo's board of directors defines new priorities in the market (Photo/ Instagram)

25 Abr 2025 | 15:42 |

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Flamengo continues to be active behind the scenes in search of new reinforcements for the rest of the season, but one thing is already clear: Willian Arão, despite having been offered by intermediaries and showing interest in returning to Brazil, will not be a priority . The decision was made internally and reinforces the Mais Querido's strategy of betting on names that bring a different profile to the current squad.




FILIPE LUÍS MAINTAINS PRESTIGE, BUT DECISIONS HAVE GENERATED DEBATES



Since the end of 2024, Filipe Luís has been well-regarded internally. However, some decisions have been the subject of discussion, especially those related to the team's priorities on the field. The coach made it clear since the beginning of the year that the main goal of the season would be the Brazilian Championship, which caused some discomfort among fans more connected to the Libertadores tradition.



STRONG SQUAD, BUT PERFORMANCE IN THE LIBERTADORES IS A WORRY


With a squad considered by many to be the most qualified in South America, Rubro-Negro has racked up many achievements at the start of the season, including the Campeonato Carioca and the Supercopa do Brasil. However, its performance in the group stage of the Libertadores has been below expectations. The 2-1 defeat to Central Córdoba at Maracanã raised alarm bells. To secure first place in the group, the team needs to win its last three games.


Willian Arão, who made history at the club between 2015 and 2022, having won important titles and marked an era alongside athletes such as Everton Ribeiro, was one of the names recently suggested to reinforce the midfield. Despite his identification with the fans and his knowledge of the club's environment, the board decided not to continue with any negotiations for his return.


Mengão's focus at the moment is on signing a striker with different characteristics from the wingers currently on the roster. The idea is to diversify the team's offensive repertoire. In addition, there is room for the arrival of another midfielder, as long as he fits the profile sought: younger, with intensity and the ability to play in different roles.


Soccer

Live: follow the game between Flamengo x Atlético-MG in the Copa do Brasil

With a disadvantage on the scoreboard, Filipe Luís' team needs to win away from home to advance to the quarterfinals of the competition.

Atlético-MG and Flamengo compete for a place in the quarterfinals of the Copa do Brasil in a decisive clash at Arena MRV, with live broadcast - photo: reproduction
Atlético-MG and Flamengo compete for a place in the quarterfinals of the Copa do Brasil in a decisive clash at Arena MRV, with live broadcast - photo: reproduction

06 Ago 2025 | 17:30 |

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Atlético-MG and Flamengo face each other this Wednesday (6), at 7 pm (Brasília time), at Arena MRV, in Belo Horizonte, for the second leg of the round of 16 of the 2025 Copa do Brasil . The broadcast will be live on the Sportv and Premiere channels. However, fans can follow the commentary on Flamengo TV (link below).


In the first leg, played at Maracanã, Galo prevailed, winning 1-0, giving the Minas Gerais team the advantage of a draw to advance. Mengão, now coached by Filipe Luís , needs to win by one goal to force a penalty shootout. A victory by two or more goals secures direct qualification to the quarterfinals.


FOLLOW LIVE



FLAMENGO'S SHORTAGES


Flamengo will have significant absences for the match. Bruno Henrique and Luiz Araújo were not included due to physical stress management, a precaution taken by the medical department after a busy streak.

Given this, Filipe Luís will have to reorganize his attacking side to maintain his attacking power and secure a positive result away from home. Rubro-Negro hasn't won in two consecutive matches, against Atlético-MG and Ceará, which increases the pressure for a strong performance.


Soccer

Filipe Luís's Flamengo could reach its centennial milestone against Atlético-MG

Mengão is looking for a victory by more than two goals against Galo in the Copa do Brasil and if they reach the direct spot, they will achieve a feat for the coach.

Filipe Luís's Flamengo is close to reaching 100 goals and could achieve it against Atlético-MG - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo
Filipe Luís's Flamengo is close to reaching 100 goals and could achieve it against Atlético-MG - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo

06 Ago 2025 | 16:27 |

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Flamengo returns to the field this Wednesday (06), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), to face Atlético-MG, at Arena MRV, in a decisive clash for the round of 16 of the Copa Betano do Brasil . With an eye on the sixth title of the competition, Rubro-Negro sees the duel as a key moment for the season.


Beyond its sporting significance, the match could mark a symbolic milestone for Filipe Luís. Since taking over the team in October 2024, the former full-back has been a key player in an attacking and effective Flamengo team. According to Sofascore data, under his leadership, the team has scored 98 goals in 58 matches , an average of 1.69 goals per match. Now, the club is just two goals away from reaching the 100-goal mark under the current coach.


ARRASCAETA NECESSARY


Uruguayan Giorgian De Arrascaeta is the leading scorer of the "Filipinho Era," with 16 goals, and is a pillar of the team in the finals. Luiz Araújo and Bruno Henrique have also been excelling and are among the top scorers of the period, bolstering the red-and-black's attacking prowess.

With a skilled squad, solid performance, and a thriving attack, Flamengo arrives confidently to face Galo and fight for a spot in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals. Mengão needs to win by two goals to qualify without resorting to penalty kicks, which would guarantee the coach his centennial milestone.


PROBABLE LINEUPS

ATLÉTICO-MG: Everson; Saravia, Lyanco, Junior Alonso and Arana (Scarpa); Alexsander, Alan Franco, Scarpa (Igor Gomes); Ron, Hulk and Cuello. Coach: Cuca

FLAMENGO: Rossi; Emerson Royal, Leo Ortiz, Leo Pereira and Alex Sandro; Allan, Jorginho, Arrascaeta; Luiz Araújo, Samuel Lino and Pedro. Coach: Filipe Luis


Soccer

Exclusive: Sporting wants Flamengo's Léo Ortiz? We found out

Despite interest from European clubs, Mengão guarantees that it has not received any official proposal and that the player remains in the club's plans.

Sporting is investigating Léo Ortiz, but Flamengo is denying the offer and the defender is not considering leaving the squad now - photo: reproduction
Sporting is investigating Léo Ortiz, but Flamengo is denying the offer and the defender is not considering leaving the squad now - photo: reproduction

06 Ago 2025 | 16:14 |

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Defender Léo Ortiz has once again been linked in Europe, this time as a potential target for Sporting Clube de Portugal . According to Portuguese broadcaster SIC Notícias, the club is considering submitting a proposal in the region of €15 million, plus bonuses, to try to convince Flamengo to release the defender.


However, sources at the Rio de Janeiro club consulted by this report state that Flamengo has no interest in negotiating Léo Ortiz at this time, and that the player himself also has no desire to leave the club. Flamengo's board considers the defender an important player in the squad and intends to keep him for the remainder of the season.


SPORTING DOESN'T WANT LÉO ORTIZ IMMEDIATELY


When contacted by Sporting insiders, the response was straightforward: "Unlikely. The Portuguese club would have to sell one of the defenders. I don't think they'll buy any more ." This indicates that, although there is speculation surrounding Ortiz's name, there are no concrete negotiations at this time.

According to our findings, no official offer has yet reached Flamengo, reinforcing that, at least for now, the defender remains 100% focused on the Rubro-Negro. In fact, the Mais Querido is considering entering the market for a defender.


GERMAN TEAM PROPOSAL

Flamengo recently received an official offer from RB Leipzig of Germany for defender Léo Ortiz two weeks ago. The offer was around €15 million (approximately R$95.6 million), with €12 million fixed and €3 million tied to targets. However, Flamengo promptly rejected the offer.



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