Roma coach sends message to Wesley, ex-Flamengo: "A lot to improve..."

Coach Carlo Ancelotti will announce this Monday (25), at 3:30 pm , the 23 players who will represent the Brazilian National Team in the two final matches of the Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup . The matches will be against Chile, on September 4, at Maracanã , and against Bolivia, on the 9th, at El Alto Municipal Stadium.

The squad will be announced live at the CBF headquarters in Rio de Janeiro , with live broadcasts nationwide. Even with qualification for the World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, already assured, Ancelotti is expected to make significant changes to the squad.

BRAZILIAN FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Among the new players, names that play in Brazil are expected to gain prominence. The Italian coach watched several matches in the country during the last FIFA International Day and opted to include prominent players from the national scene. Flamengo could be represented by Danilo, Léo Pereira, Léo Ortiz, Alex Sandro, and Samuel Lino, all of whom were on the preliminary squad list.

Additionally, players from other Brazilian teams are also on the radar. Cruzeiro, for example, has four pre-selected players, including Kaio Jorge, Matheus Pereira, and Fabrício Bruno. Goalkeeper Gabriel Brasão, currently with Santos and a product of the Minas Gerais team , is also considered for inclusion.

NEYMAR REMAINS ON THE PRE-LIST

The preliminary list includes Neymar, but the striker's presence is uncertain . Santos reported last Saturday (23) that the player is treating an edema in his thigh. If he is not called up, he will complete two years without wearing the Brazilian National Team shirt.

The main confirmed absence is Vinicius Jr. Suspended for the match against Chile , the Real Madrid striker was removed from the pre-list and, even though he has been cleared to play against Bolivia, he will be preserved by decision of the coaching staff.

Young midfielder Matheus Gonçalves, a Flamengo talent , is experiencing a period of uncertainty in his career. Without a place in the main squad, he was reinstated to the youth academy after the coaching staff determined his performance wasn't up to expectations.

Even so, the athlete continues to attract interest in the market. After inquiries from several clubs, including a rejected offer from Cruzeiro, CSKA Moscow appears to be the leading candidate to sign him.

CSKA PROPOSAL

According to information gathered by Gazeta do Urubu , talks between the Russian club and the player's representatives are already underway. CSKA is reportedly willing to pay around €5 million, plus bonuses for milestones, to acquire the player's rights outright.

Matheus Gonçalves, 20, is seen as a strategic asset to the Russian team's sporting project, which is seeking promising young players to bolster its attacking position. To date, however, the Rio de Janeiro club has not officially commented on a possible sale, nor has it confirmed any negotiations.

NEGOTIATION DEPENDS ON DECISION

Flamengo's board has not yet indicated whether it intends to negotiate with the player . Internally, there is an understanding that Matheus is an important asset for the future, although the lack of opportunities in the main squad has fueled speculation about his departure.

In search of the ninth Brazilian title, Flamengo takes to the field this Monday (25) to face Vitória, at Maracanã, for the 21st round of the Brazilian Championship. The match will not be broadcast on open TV, but can be watched live on SporTV (subscription channel) and Premiere (pay-per-view).

HOW DOES FLAMENGO ARRIVE?

For the match, coach Filipe Luís will have virtually his entire squad available. The only confirmed absence is Erick Pulgar , who is still recovering from foot surgery after fracturing his fifth metatarsal during the Club World Cup in June.

The midfielder is expected to return to action only in the second half of September. Otherwise, the Rubro-Negro team is expected to play at full strength against Vitória . The coach has already stated, optimistically, that he expects to count on the Chilean for the matches against Estudiantes.

SITUATION IN THE TABLE

Flamengo leads the Brazilian Championship with 43 points . Right behind, Cruzeiro beat Internacional on Saturday (23) and reached 41 points, taking second place. With that, Palmeiras dropped to third place, with 39 points.

Meanwhile, Vitória needs to score points if it wants to escape the relegation zone. Leão is 17th in the Brasileirão with 19 points , the same number as Vasco, the first team outside the relegation zone, and with at least a draw, it will push the Cruzmaltino into the bottom four.