Soccer

'I HAD TO COME BACK WITH HEAD DOWN', SAYS CASAGRANDE ABOUT GABIGOL'S RETURN TO THE FLAMENGO TEAM

The attacker is under suspension, which was granted last Tuesday

Marcelo Cortes/CRF
Marcelo Cortes/CRF

01 Mai 2024 | 19:29 |

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After more than a month away from activities as a football player, punished for attempted fraud in an anti-doping test, Gabigol achieved a suspensive effect. Back in Flamengo training, the number 10 received a great reception made by club employees. However, for former player and commentator Walter Casagrande, the attitude was “ridiculous” and Gabriel Barbosa should return to work “with his head down”.


“Throwing a party for a player who was accused of having cheating the anti-doping test is ridiculous. He had to come back with his head down, without a party, go into the locker room and change. Smiling why? Applause for what? What's the point in applauding a guy accused of cheating on a drug test? This is where I hit home: Brazilian society has undergone a very strong inversion of values ​​and principles. If they applauded him because he returned from suspension, what are they going to do when he scores two goals?", wrote Casagrande, in a Column on the UOL portal.


"Here we applaud a player who returns to play for suspensive effect, we applaud those who pay a fine to alleviate a rape conviction, we value those who lent money to facilitate the guy's exit... These are the inverted values. In my view, Gabriel had to come back, because he used his right, but come back in a good way. There is no reason for applause. It's cool that Gabriel is back, especially because there is still no definition of the case, so there is no culprit, he used his rights. But applaud? It’s a reversal of values”, he added.


BACK AFTER MORE THAN A MONTH

Gabigol got a suspension effect, after being sidelined for 36 days for a alleged fraud in an anti-doping test. Initially, in a trial held in March, by the Sports Anti-Doping Court (TJD-AD), Gabriel Barbosa was punished with two years of suspension from football.


As the situation happened in 2023, the sanction was valid until April 2025. However, the number 10's defense filed an appeal, and obtained a suspensive effect from the Court of Arbitration for Sport with a unanimous decision. After obtaining the appeal and pending the trial, Gabigol is free to compete in the competitions that Flamengo competes in.


Soccer

Ancelotti reveals whether Vini Jr. has already secured a spot in the World Cup

The striker had the best seasons of his career under the command of the national team coach, which could leave him in good condition for the World Cup

Carlo Ancelotti reveals that Vini Jr, ex-Flamengo, already has a guaranteed spot with him for the World Cup - Photo: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF
Carlo Ancelotti reveals that Vini Jr, ex-Flamengo, already has a guaranteed spot with him for the World Cup - Photo: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

15 Set 2025 | 11:44 |

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The final stretch of preparation for the World Cup is approaching. With the qualifiers over , the Brazilian national team will now focus solely on friendlies until the final squad is named . Some certainties are already beginning to take shape in Carlo Ancelotti's mind, as he has secured key players for the World Cup.





Ancelotti on Vini Jr's place at the World Cup: "If he's okay, yes"


VINICIUS JR. AND RODRYGO WITH ASSURED SPOT


In an interview with ESPN, the Italian coach didn't hesitate when talking about the Real Madrid duo: "A guaranteed spot? If he's healthy, yes ( Vini will go to the World Cup). He has to be at his best. (Rodrygo) too . If he's at his best, Rodrygo is a very good player. You can't talk to me about Rodrygo and Vini. I won Champions Leagues with them," Ancelotti stated.

STÊVÃO GAINS SPACE

Another name that stands out is Estêvão, formerly of Palmeiras and now at Chelsea. The coach highlighted the young man's personality and his quick adaptation to the Premier League: "I really like Estêvão, he has character, and he's started well. Not only for this World Cup, but he will be very important for the future of the national team, " he assessed.

THE ENDRICK CASE

Endrick, however, is experiencing a different scenario. Ancelotti knows the striker well from his Real Madrid days, but admits that the fierce competition has hindered his development: "Well, Endrick is like Estêvão. He's a great talent. I think Estêvão was lucky. The problem with young players who go to Europe is that they have a leading role here, but not much of a leading role there . I coached Endrick for a year and really liked him as a person, as a professional," he explained.

WHAT'S AHEAD

Until the final call-up, the team will play six friendlies. The first two will be played in October in Asia:

  • South Korea vs. Brazil – October 10, 8 a.m. (Brasília time)
  • Japan vs Brazil – October 14th, at 7:30 am (Brasília time)



Soccer

Flamengo sets the week's agenda with a focus on the Libertadores and the derby against Vasco

After the victory over Juventude, Rubro-Negro turns its attention to the Libertadores quarterfinals against Estudiantes and faces its rival in the Brasileirão

Flamengo sets the week's schedule with training at CT George Helal and decisive matches against Estudiantes and Vasco at Maracanã - photo: reproduction
Flamengo sets the week's schedule with training at CT George Helal and decisive matches against Estudiantes and Vasco at Maracanã - photo: reproduction

15 Set 2025 | 11:29 |

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Flamengo has released its professional football schedule for the week of September 15-21. After beating Juventude and ending a 28-year away drought, the club now focuses on crucial matches in the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian Championship.


Training takes place at CT George Helal: Tuesday (16/09) at 9:30 am, Wednesday (17/09) at 3:30 pm, Friday (19/09) at 3:30 pm and Saturday (20/09) at 9:30 am . There are no activities scheduled for Monday (15/09).


LIBERTADORES QUARTER-FINALS


Rubro-Negro faces Estudiantes in the quarterfinals of the Conmebol Libertadores . The first leg will be played at the Maracanã on September 18th at 9:30 pm (Brasília time) , broadcast on ESPN and Disney+.

This will be the ninth official matchup between the teams. In the eight previous meetings, Flamengo won three, drew four, and lost only one to the Argentines . The return leg will be in Argentina, deciding who advances to the semifinals.


CLASSIC AGAINST VASCO

After the international match, Flamengo turns its attention to the Brazilian Championship. The team faces Vasco on September 21st, at 5:30 pm, also at Maracanã . This will be the fifth meeting between the teams in 2025. In the Campeonato Carioca, Flamengo won three times: 2-0 in the first round, 1-0, and 2-1 in the semifinals. In the first round of the Brasileirão, the derby ended in a goalless draw.


Soccer

Filipe Luís says Carrascal suffers from competition at Flamengo

The midfielder has not yet had an opportunity in the Mengão starting lineup with the coach, but the duel for a spot seems 'unfair' to the manager.

Carrascal has not yet had a starting place in Filipe Luís' Flamengo due to Arrascaeta's form - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo
Carrascal has not yet had a starting place in Filipe Luís' Flamengo due to Arrascaeta's form - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo

15 Set 2025 | 11:26 |

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Flamengo beat Juventude 2-0 this Sunday (14), in the 23rd round of the Brasileirão. In addition to the goals from Arrascaeta and Emerson Royal, the match marked a special moment for Jorge Carrascal, who gave his first assist with the red-black shirt . After the game, coach Filipe Luís highlighted the Colombian's talent and lamented the direct competition with one of the main players in the squad.


Filipe Luís on Carrascal's competition with Arrascaeta at Flamengo: "Very difficult for the player"

COMPETITION WITH ARRASCAETA


In a press conference, Filipe praised the new signing's qualities, but acknowledged the difficulty of the position he holds: "Regarding Carrascal , it's practically the same situation. A player who competes for position with Arrascaeta, who is currently in his best form . It's very difficult for a new player to compete with one of the best players in Brazil right now, if not the best," the coach began.


"We know he can play in other positions too. We're giving him all the care he can get so he can adapt as quickly as possible , because he's a very talented player," concluded Filipe Luís during a press conference.

FIRST ASSISTANCE


Carrascal started on the bench and came on in the 83rd minute of the second half. Shortly after, he made his mark: from the left wing, he crossed perfectly for Emerson Royal , who headed in to seal the scoring. It was the Colombian's first direct goal contribution for Flamengo .

WHAT WAS THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE LIKE?

With the victory in Caxias do Sul, Flamengo reached 50 points and remains the sole leader of the Brazilian Championship, with four points more than Palmeiras , in second place, but with one game more than the São Paulo club in the competition.

EYE ON THE LIBERTADORES

With the midfielder available, Flamengo now focuses on the Copa Libertadores da América. Next Thursday (18), Rubro-Negro faces Estudiantes de La Plata (ARG) at Maracanã, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), for the first leg of the quarterfinals.


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