Sesc Flamengo is defeated by Minas and loses chance to reach the Superleague G4

Flamengo remains firmly at the top of the Brasileirão , maintaining a lead over the second-place team despite having played a game less. They also opened up a lead in the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 by beating Internacional 1-0 in the first leg.

MANAGEMENT TAKES ANTICIPATION TO ENSURE THE FUTURE

Aiming to maintain the core of the project, Flamengo is already taking steps to prevent the departure of key players. According to information from the 'Bolavip' portal, the board has begun talks to renew the contract of Filipe Luís , who has been excelling at the helm of the team and imprinting his style on the squad.

NEW CONTRACT DETAILS

Filipe Luís's current contract expires at the end of this season. The proposal is for a two-year extension, until December 2027. The internal evaluation is positive, despite the elimination from the Copa do Brasil. The board believes the focus should remain on the Brasileirão and the Libertadores, competitions in which the team has been performing consistently and is contending for the title.

LIBERTADORES AND BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS ENCOURAGE THE MARKET

Aware of the demands of the competitions, the board is working to strengthen the squad. Among the priorities is signing a goalkeeper , and the club is closely monitoring the situation of Gabriel Brazão, Santos's starting goalkeeper, although a negotiation this season is considered unlikely.

Meanwhile, potential departures are also being evaluated during this transfer window. One example is Matheus Gonçalves, who is reportedly dissatisfied with the lack of opportunities under Filipe Luís. The midfielder has offers from CSKA Moscow in Russia and Red Bull Bragantino.

On the morning of this Friday (15), during the Posse de Bola program, on Uol, journalist Juca Kfouri made controversial statements about Flamengo and the case involving Bruno Henrique and alleged manipulation of sports betting.

Juca Kfouri: "It's clear that Flamengo has influence in the Court of Justice to prevent him from being tried"

SERIOUS ACCUSATIONS

The commentator insinuated that the club would have influence in the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) to delay the trial of the number 27 , who recently scored the winning goal for Flamengo in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Libertadores.

Kfouri stated, without any evidence: " For weeks now, I've only been referring to him as the accused Bruno Henrique . It's clear that Flamengo has influence in the Court of Justice to prevent him from being tried."

MAURO CEZAR DEFENDS THE CLUB

Before Kfouri's statements, Mauro Cezar Pereira had already come out in defense of Flamengo, noting that the club had no involvement in the case . He compared the situation to that of Lucas Paquetá and criticized the timing of the re-emerging issue:

"Flamengo has nothing to do with this. It's the player's problem, as he's hired his lawyers and is moving forward with his career . Clubs field players while they're not suspended. I just think this issue should have been raised earlier. When Bruno Henrique plays and scores a goal, everyone talks about it."

Mauro Cezar also highlighted that similar cases involving other clubs don't receive as much attention, citing Internacional's Thiago Maia: " They don't talk about Thiago Maia, whom Internacional puts on the field without paying him . The player hasn't been paid, and the situation drags on."

The controversy reinforces the debate over Bruno Henrique's trial, but makes it clear that, for now, Flamengo remains free to count on the striker on the field. The striker is even available to coach Filipe Luís this Sunday (17), when Flamengo faces Internacional again, but this time in the Brasileirão. The game is scheduled for 6:30 pm (Brasília time).

Cruzeiro has opened talks to try to sign Matheus França , a 21-year-old attacking midfielder who came through Flamengo's ranks and is currently playing for Crystal Palace in England. Despite the interest, the club's board believes the fees involved are outside the standards adopted at Toca da Raposa II , according to Goal.

REQUEST BECOMES AN OBSTACLE

The main obstacle is the player's high salary request, combined with the demands made by the English club . Matheus França was acquired by Crystal Palace in August 2023 for around €20 million—approximately R$126 million at the current exchange rate—a similar amount to the amount paid at the time of the transfer.

If Cruzeiro accepts the requested figures, the attacking midfielder would become one of the three highest-paid players in the squad , behind only Gabriel Barbosa and Matheus Pereira. However, the club currently considers this amount unaffordable.

PASSAGE THROUGH FLAMENGO

Matheus França played 52 matches for Flamengo between 2021 and 2023, scoring nine goals and providing two assists. Despite his short tenure, he demonstrated his ability to decide matches and participate in decisive moments , gaining experience in national and continental tournaments.

The player also shone in the youth ranks of the Brazilian national team. His professional debut for the red-and-black team came in 2022 , when he scored six goals and played an important role in the Libertadores and Copa do Brasil victories.