Los Angeles FC coach sees Flamengo as threat in Orlando due to large US fan base

It was no use for Flamengo against Bahia this Sunday (5). Playing with one less player since the 13th minute of the first half , Mais Querido lost to Tricolor de Aço by 1-0 and ended a sequence of 12 unbeaten games against the Bahians, and 16 consecutive victories against coach Rogério Ceni.

FIRST HALF

The game started slowly but quickly deteriorated when Danilo was sent off in the 13th minute for a challenge on Tiago during a counterattack . Despite being ten men down, Flamengo didn't allow Bahia many chances and even had a chance to open the scoring through Samuel Lino, but Ronaldo made a great save. In the 44th minute, Willian José capitalized on a loose ball at the edge of the box and scored for the Tricolor.

SECOND HALF

Filipe Luís made three changes in the halftime break to try to equalize, but his efforts proved insufficient. Bahia even had a goal disallowed by Michel Azevedo, signaling pressure. However, Flamengo managed to hold the ball, but Wallace Yan received a second yellow card in a reckless play, leaving Flamengo with two players down , making the red-and-black mission much more difficult, which proved insufficient.

WHAT THE TABLE LOOKS LIKE

With the result, Flamengo dropped to second place in the Brasileirão with 55 points , the same number as Palmeiras, now leader, but with one fewer win than the green-and-white team, the first tiebreaker. Cruzeiro, which kicks off at 10:30 p.m. (Brasília time) with 51, and Botafogo with 43, round out the top four of the championship. Bahia moved up to fifth place.

NEXT APPOINTMENT

Flamengo will now return to the field in ten days, after the FIFA World Cup, when they face Botafogo in the 28th round of the Brasileirão. The classic will be on October 15th (Wednesday), at 7:30 pm (Brasília time), at Nilton Santos Stadium, known as Engenhão . The squad is expected to have Monday off after returning to Rio de Janeiro.

Striker Michael is going through a difficult time at Flamengo . Having not played in three months since the Club World Cup, he has lost his place under coach Filipe Luís and sees his second stint with the club coming to an end .

Behind the scenes, the mood is one of dissatisfaction. Michael is reportedly upset about becoming the last option in the squad and is already seeking an immediate exit . However, a transfer this year is considered unlikely, and the trend is that he will only leave in 2026.

CORINTHIANS CONSIDERED MICHAEL, BUT THE DEAL IS COMPLICATED

Recently, reports surfaced that Corinthians coach Dorival Júnior had suggested Michael as a reinforcement for next season. The Flamengo board, however, has no intention of releasing the player easily. According to journalist Jorge Nicola, Flamengo expects to receive between €7 and €9 million (approximately R$43 to R$56 million, at the current exchange rate) to negotiate the striker—a figure that would derail the São Paulo club's interest.

With a contract until the end of 2028, the club sees no risk of losing him for free and plans to recoup part of the investment made upon his return. Corinthians, however, would only move forward with a potential negotiation if the player agreed to a significant salary reduction, currently estimated at R$1.5 million per month.

SECOND PASSAGE BELOW EXPECTATIONS

Michael's return to Flamengo in August generated great anticipation among fans. However, the striker failed to replicate the performance of his first stint. According to data from the Transfermarkt portal, the number 30 has played 145 games, scoring 29 goals and providing 19 assists for the club . Despite these impressive numbers, his recent lack of prominence and his loss of place in the squad have put his future in doubt.

Gabriel Jesus' future is once again stirring up the European market and also sparking interest in Brazil. The Arsenal striker has landed on Flamengo's radar , but the high fees involved make any move extremely difficult for the Rio de Janeiro club. In England, Everton has emerged as the main interested party for the 2026 season .

ENGLISH INTEREST AND HIGH TRANSFER COST

Everton are looking for a top center forward and consider Gabriel Jesus the ideal candidate to lead their rebuild. Arsenal, however, aren't going to make things easy: the London club is asking £30 million (approximately R$217 million) for the player's release . Despite the high price, the Toffees aren't ruling out a move, as long as the striker agrees to adjust his salary terms.

RED-BLACK MONITORING

In Brazil, Flamengo is monitoring the situation remotely. The board believes that a proposal would only be possible if the player's fees were significantly reduced or if Arsenal changed its stance, as it has so far ruled out any loan offer and insisted on a permanent sale.

SALARY IS AN OBSTACLE FOR ANY CLUB

Gabriel Jesus earns approximately £13.7 million per season, equivalent to R$99 million annually, or about R$8.2 million per month . This salary level is unaffordable for almost all clubs outside of Europe's elite. Everton is considering moving forward only if the striker agrees to a salary reduction, as they cannot match Arsenal's current pay.

A DISTANT REALITY FOR BRAZILIAN FOOTBALL

To play for Flamengo, the Brazilian would have to accept a drastic salary cut . Even though he's a highly popular player, the board believes it would be impossible to handle such a large payroll without compromising financial planning.

OPEN SCENARIO

At 28 years old, Gabriel Jesus still attracts interest from several markets. Everton appears to be the most realistic destination, while Flamengo remains alert to a possible unlikely opportunity . Arsenal, meanwhile, is awaiting official offers to finalize the striker's future in the January window.