Meeting with former leaders, Mayor of Rio talks about Flamengo's stadium: "They're not going to put a horrible 'box' there"

A target for Flamengo in this transfer window , striker Esequiel Barco is going through a delicate situation off the field. According to agent Timur Gurtskaya, the Spartak Moscow (RUS) player is facing family pressure to leave the country. The Argentine's wife has reportedly threatened to file for divorce if he stays in Russia for another season — and, according to reports, has also considered preventing him from seeing their son.

TRAJECTORY AND PROMINENCE IN RUSSIA

At 26, Barco has experience in different markets. Revealed by Independiente (ARG), where he was champion of the Copa Sudamericana against Flamengo , he passed through Atlanta United (USA) and River Plate (ARG) before transferring to Spartak in 2024.

Even amid a tense political scenario in the country, the Argentine had an outstanding performance in his first season in Russia: 36 matches, 14 goals and 9 assists . However, the context of instability has led several South American athletes to consider leaving Russian football — and Barco could be the next.

FLAMENGO SEES IT AS PLAN B

With an eye on strengthening the offensive sector, Flamengo is closely monitoring the situation of Esequiel Barco. However, the Argentine is considered an alternative to the club's main target : Jorge Carrascal, from Dynamo Moscow (RUS), who was close to becoming a reinforcement for Mais Querido.

Negotiations with Dynamo are currently at a standstill, which makes Barco's possible departure from Spartak a scenario that should be carefully explored by the red-black football department . The athlete should finally return to Russia after an extended vacation period due to negotiations with Mengão.

Flamengo returns to the field next Saturday (12) , in a match against São Paulo, a game that marks the return of the Brazilian Championship after the break for the Club World Cup. Thus, Müller, former player and commentator, placed Flamengo above Palmeiras among the favorites to take the tournament trophy.

Müller talks about Flamengo: “For me, (Flamengo) has the best squad in South America."

He continued: "In the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo is the leader, and the others have to run after it ", said former player Müller, during the Mesa Redonda program, on TV Gazeta.

“Palmeiras has no money? Revenue of R$1 billion? Spend R$100 million, R$200 million and sign top-level players: ‘the ball solves it’. Because, with these players there, you can forget about it”, he concluded.

FLAMENGO AND PALMEIRAS IN THE BRAZILIAN LEAGUE

It is worth noting that Flamengo and Palmeiras have dominated the Brazilian football scene in recent years. In six Brazilian Championship matches, the title went to one of the two teams. The Mais Querido lifted the trophy on two occasions: 2019 and 2020. The São Paulo team was champion in four other editions: 2016, 2018, 2022 and 2023.

FOCUS ON THE NEXT GAME

Thus, current leader of the 2025 Brasileirão, Flamengo is preparing to return to the field on Saturday (12). The Mais Querido faces São Paulo, at 4:30 pm, at Maracanã, in a match valid for the 13th round of the points tournament.

José Boto finds himself without the support of Flamengo's board of directors and is considering resigning . In addition, another aggravating factor could make the director say goodbye to the club early. This is because new leaked conversations of the director appeared this Monday (7).

This is because the communicator Júlio Miguel Neto showed dialogues with the football director, on topics related to the possible dismissal and what caused the withdrawal of the signing of the striker Michael Johnston.

BOTO'S LEAKED CONVERSATIONS

Regarding his departure, after a crisis behind the scenes at Flamengo , Boto wrote: “I am reflective, I am thinking ”. Although his dismissal is not being considered internally, the director may ask to be dismissed from the club, as stated by Júlio Miguel Neto.

Regarding Michael Johnston , Boto said that the “ real reason is that we found a better option and there would be no vacancy for a foreigner ”. The name, however, is kept confidential. Remembering that of the public negotiations, Flamengo has talks with Jorge Carrascal and Esequiel Barco.

JOSE BOTO'S FUTURE

Thus, the Flamengo director is still reflecting on whether or not he will remain in office, meetings between Boto and the other directors about the continuation of the work will take place. In this way, president Bap will have his first mission to try to contain the unexpected crisis.