
Soccer
Training session defines Flamengo's starting lineup against Estudiantes in the Copa Libertadores
17 Set 2025 | 08:01
Soccer
22 Jan 2025 | 12:51 |
O Flamengo remains firm in its search to reinforce the defense, and the current focus is on defender Vitão, from Internacional. The player's staff has a meeting scheduled with Inter's board of directors this Thursday, in Porto Alegre, to discuss the proposal presented by Rubro-Negro. As reported by sources close to the negotiations, Flamengo increased its initial proposal, adding 1 million euros to the amount offered. The intention is to convince the club from Rio Grande do Sul to release Vitão during this transfer window, highlighting the need for defensive strengthening.
INTERNATIONAL RESISTS SALE
On the other hand, the Internacional maintains the stance of making it difficult for the player to leave. People linked to the club indicate that even Mais Querido's revised proposal could be rejected. The expectation is that this position will be reiterated in the meeting with Vitão's staff. The board of CRF does not hide its desire to count on Vitão and continues to explore ways to make negotiation viable. Behind the scenes, confidence in a possible positive outcome is fueled by the club's history of securing major reinforcements.
VITÃO IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE IN THE INTER
Vitão is considered one of the fundamental pieces of Internacional's defensive system. His consistent performance and leadership on the field make him one of the main market targets, especially for clubs that compete in multiple high-level competitions, such as Mengão. Although Flamengo has increased its offer, Inter's board believes that the value still does not reflect the athlete's potential and importance.This Thursday's meeting will be crucial to align expectations or end negotiations once and for all. b>
While conversations take place between the clubs and staff, Vitão remains focused on Internacional's commitments. Sources close to the player claim that he is aware of Flamengo, but maintains a professional posture while the outcome is not defined. In addition to Vitão, Flamengo is evaluating other options on the market to reinforce the defense. The board works on several fronts, but sees the Colorado defender as the ideal name to meet the defensive needs of the squad led by Tite.
The search for Vitão also reflects the pressure faced by Mengão to obtain consistent results in the competitions in which he is involved. Defense is identified as a sector that needs adjustments to guarantee expected performance. Thursday's meeting could be decisive for the future of Vitão and the negotiations. While Internacional seems reluctant, Flamengo maintains confidence in moving forward in negotiations, reinforcing the objective of bringing more quality to the squad.
The current coach is always compared to the Portuguese who was his commander at Mengão and the 'Mister' believes in a promising future
17 Set 2025 | 09:13 |
Coach Filipe Luís has been frequently associated with Jorge Jesus . This Tuesday (16), the current Al Nassr commander made a point of publicly praising his Brazilian compatriot in an interview with Canal Goat . According to the Portuguese, the relationship between the two goes beyond the field, marked by friendship, gratitude and a constant exchange of ideas about football.
Jorge Jesus on Flamengo's Filipe Luís: "I really believe in his growth"
"Besides being a friend, he's a grateful person, and there are people in football who forget things very easily. We continue to talk a lot. He's a coach just starting his career and has absorbed the knowledge of my way of working , and I strongly believe in his growth," said Jorge Jesus.
The Portuguese also highlighted Filipe Luís's personality and promising future: " He's learning; our early years are like that, just like mine . Now, I know he has a bright future; he will. He's a great friend. Filipe is a grateful friend, a great family man, and he'll be a great coach."
Filipe Luís and Jorge Jesus worked together in 2019, when the former full-back was a key player in Flamengo 's Libertadores and Brasileirão championship. During that time, the club also won the Recopa, the Supercopa do Brasil, and the Campeonato Carioca . The current Mengão coach acknowledges the Portuguese's influence on his career and admits to modeling himself on the former Flamengo manager's style:
"I can never compare past teams with my current team; they have completely different players. I can never compare myself to the coach I was in charge of at that time, Jorge Jesus. If he's not the best in history, he's one of the best to have played here at Flamengo . I'll never be like him, I'll never do anything like what he did," the coach declared.
Flamengo returns to the field this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, against Estudiantes (ARG) , for the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals. On Sunday (21), also at Maracanã, the red-black team faces Vasco, in a classic valid for the Brazilian Championship. In the first round, the teams drew goalless.
Mengão is one of the protagonists in the football market after the financial restructuring and the director says he was approached by big names
17 Set 2025 | 08:55 |
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.
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.
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$301 million) :
A Mengão player recently left the club for Saudi Arabia and played a key role in overturning a 2-0 deficit.
17 Set 2025 | 08:28 |
Midfielder Matheus Gonçalves, formerly of Flamengo , made his winning debut for Al-Ahli, from Saudi Arabia, this Monday (15). The Brazilian came on at half-time and was decisive in the team's comeback, which turned the game around to 4-2 over Nasaf Qarshi, from Uzbekistan, in the Asian Champions League. Al-Ahli went into the break with a 2-0 deficit. After the match, the player celebrated the positive start at his new club:
Matheus Gonçalves, ex-Flamengo: "It's just the beginning of a journey of hard work and achievements"
"It was a very special night for me. Making my debut in such an important competition and being able to help the team achieve a victory like this makes me very happy . The group showed strength and unity to seek a comeback, and I'm sure this is just the beginning of a journey of hard work and achievements here at Al-Ahli," said the Mengão youth player.
Sold by Flamengo in August 2025, for 8 million euros (around R$ 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.
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.
Training session defines Flamengo's starting lineup against Estudiantes in the Copa Libertadores
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