Soccer
Journalist weighs in on the debate between Gabigol and Bruno Henrique at Flamengo
14 Ago 2025 | 14:03
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Soccer
20 Ago 2024 | 18:36 |
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O Flamengo held at this Wednesday morning their last training session at Ninho do Urubu before facing Bolívar in the second leg of the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores. The training, focused on tactical adjustments and finishing, was crucial for the preparation of the team, which leaves this afternoon for La Paz, where it will face the Bolivian team on Thursday.
Rubro-Negro arrives at the clash with a comfortable edge. In the first game, held at Maracanã, Flamengo won 2-0, guaranteeing an important margin for the decisive match at the altitude of La Paz. To qualify directly for the quarter-finals, Flamengo could lose by up to a goal difference . If they are defeated by two goals difference, the game will be decided on penalties. A defeat by three or more goals would eliminate the Rio team.
FLAMENGO HAS NEW PERSPECTIVES
This advantage on the scoreboard gives the Flamengo coach the possibility of adopting a more cautious stance in Bolivia. Although the team demonstrated superiority in the first game, the altitude factor is always a significant variable to be considered. The technical committee has carefully studied the opponent and the game conditions to define the best strategy to be adopted.
The planning of Flamengo to face Bolívar includes the use of players who are in good physical condition, minimizing the impacts of altitude. The expectation is that the team will enter the field with a solid formation, seeking to control the game and avoid the risk of conceding goals that could complicate classification.
During training this Wednesday, it was possible to observe that the team is focused and aware of the importance of the confrontation. The coach demanded intensity and attention to defensive movements and quick transitions, which will be fundamental to withstanding Bolívar's pressure, especially in the first minutes of the game. The idea is not to be intimidated by the initial pressure that Bolívar must exert, taking advantage of possible mistakes from the opposing team to kill the game with a quick counterattack.
Peixe has just loaned João Paulo to Bahia and does not intend to get rid of another player in the position despite Mengão's interest.
14 Ago 2025 | 17:30 |
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Flamengo remains interested in signing goalkeeper Gabriel Brazão , from Santos, to strengthen the squad in 2026. At 24 years old, the player is in great form and was already on the red-black radar since the confirmation of the departure of Matheus Cunha , who signed a pre-contract with Cruzeiro and will leave the club at the end of the year.
The deal, already considered difficult, has become even more complicated. This is because Santos loaned reserve goalkeeper João Paulo to Bahia , which practically makes Brazão's release this season impossible. Mengão, however, is unlikely to make an offer this season, as the goalkeeper has already played eight Brasileirão games, which would preclude his participation in the rest of the season.
With an estimated market value of €6 million (approximately R$38 million) , the Santos goalkeeper is being closely monitored by Flamengo , which plans to reevaluate the situation next year. The possibility of progress in negotiations will depend on Santos strengthening its squad for the position.
Discovered by Cruzeiro and with experience in Italian football—including Inter Milan and Parma— Brazão arrived at Santos in 2024 and quickly established himself as a starter . In the Brasileirão, he's among the leaders in saves, sharing the spotlight with Vitória's Lucas Arcanjo. In total, he has made 70 decisive saves, attracting attention both in Brazil and Europe.
Meanwhile, João Paulo is already in Salvador for medical exams and to sign a contract with Bahia. The loan agreement runs until December and includes buyout clauses , reinforcing Santos' need to keep Brazão as a starter until the end of the season.
Mengão is entitled to a value that was not expected in the transfer market after the defender left Russia for the Middle East.
14 Ago 2025 | 16:30 |
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Flamengo continues to make money in the current transfer window . After multi-million dollar negotiations involving Wesley and Gerson, the club secured another sum with the transfer of a longtime acquaintance: defender Willyan Rocha, who played for the Flamengo youth team in 2015 .
A standout at CSKA (Russia), Willyan has agreed to join Al-Jazira in the United Arab Emirates in a deal valued at around €5 million (R$31.6 million). Under FIFA's solidarity mechanism, which guarantees compensation to clubs that train athletes, Flamengo will receive approximately 0.5% of the amount, equivalent to around R$170,000 at the current exchange rate.
In addition to Flamengo, Grêmio and Votuporanguense, teams Willyan also played for in the youth ranks, will be entitled to small portions of the deal. This isn't the first defender Mengão has received through this mechanism after his sale this season . With the negotiation between Paris FC and Porto for Otávio, the Mais Querido also paid out a significant amount.
At 30 years old, the defender signed a contract with Al-Jazira until mid-2027. If he is negotiated again before the end of the contract, Flamengo will once again profit from the solidarity mechanism, although a negotiation after the age of 30 is considered rarer .
Currently, the red-and-black defense has six main options: Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, and Danilo as the more experienced players , plus the youngsters Cleiton, João Victor, and Iago Teodoro, who are part of the professional squad. The "Leos" duo has been a regular starter due to their seniority and Danilo's injury.
The striker remains in high regard with the club's president and Xabi Alonso admits he likes the player, but the number 7 needs to show change.
14 Ago 2025 | 15:30 |
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The relationship between Vinícius Júnior and Real Madrid appears to be strained . Having scored decisive goals in two Champions League finals, the Brazilian now finds his starting spot at the Santiago Bernabéu in doubt . Despite this, club president Florentino Pérez continues to express confidence in the Flamengo youth product.
The Athletic on Vini Jr at Real Madrid: "He needs to evolve and will no longer be irreplaceable"
According to the renowned portal The Athletic, which interviewed members of the coaching staff, people close to the player and club employees — all anonymous — there is an internal perception that the striker needs to improve his performance .
"A source said that Vinícius Júnior needs to evolve and that he will no longer be irreplaceable if he continues playing the same way. This change in status would not be difficult for teammates, fans, and the team to assimilate ," reported journalist Mario Cortegana.
A trusted man of Carlo Ancelotti, Vini now works under Xabi Alonso. The transition began with a frustrating episode: in the Club World Cup defeat to PSG , the Brazilian was deployed on the right, while Mbappé played on the left wing and Gonzalo García played as a center forward.
Even so, Alonso's first impression of the number 7 was positive. "I didn't know Vini. He's a very passionate player; I like having that kind of athlete . The best way to use him and his ideal position is what we need to figure out now. What I've seen in the first few days is that he has a very good heart," the coach declared.
Despite the tense moment, Vinícius Júnior maintains an impressive record at Real Madrid . In 322 appearances, he has 106 goals and 86 assists, including two Champions League-clinching strikes in the 2022 and 2024 finals.
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