Soccer

Vagner Love leaves Avaí and plans symbolic farewell between Flamengo and Corinthians

The 40-year-old striker will not renew his contract with the Santa Catarina club and wants to end his career with a game between the two most important clubs in his career

Vagner Love leaves Avaí and considers a farewell match between Flamengo and Corinthians, clubs that marked his successful career - photo: reproduction
Vagner Love leaves Avaí and considers a farewell match between Flamengo and Corinthians, clubs that marked his successful career - photo: reproduction

09 Mai 2025 | 13:01 |

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At 40 years old, Vagner Love will not continue at Avaí after his contract ends on May 31. The striker, who has played for major Brazilian and international football clubs, still hopes to continue playing for another two or three years. However, he has not ruled out retirement if no offers appear that motivate him to continue. In an interview with ESPN, he revealed his desire for a symbolic farewell game between Flamengo and Corinthians — the two most important clubs in his career.


Despite leaving the Santa Catarina club, Love stressed that he is physically fit to continue playing football. “ On May 31st I will be free to continue my career. I know that I am still able to continue playing , but this will be a joint decision with my family,” he declared. The player also stated that his physical fitness allows him to play for a few more seasons, should a suitable opportunity arise.


VAGNER LOVE'S TRAJECTORY


Discovered by Palmeiras, the striker arrived at Flamengo in 2010 and remained there until the beginning of 2012. In the red-and-black team, he played alongside Adriano Imperador, forming an attacking duo that became known as the “Empire of Love” . The partnership left its mark on the fans and further cemented Love's bond with his beloved club. The possibility of a reunion wearing the red-and-black jersey in a farewell match excites fans and the player himself.

After leaving Mais Querido, Love experienced a new phase in European football before being signed by Corinthians in 2015. At the São Paulo club, he won the Brazilian Championship that year. He also had a second stint in 2019, marked by the goal that secured the Campeonato Paulista title against São Paulo. These moments make Corinthians fondly remembered and justify the striker's desire to end his career between the two clubs.


FAREWELL IN FLAMENGO X CORINTHIANS


it would be cool..."

“I haven’t thought about it. But a farewell match between Flamengo and Corinthians would be cool. Who knows, maybe we’ll develop this idea, spend some time with each team, ” Love told ESPN. If it comes to fruition, the friendly would celebrate not only the striker’s career, but also the bonds he has created with two of the biggest fan bases in the country. A symbolic ending worthy of what he has built over almost two decades on the pitch, between titles, goals and stories with Mengão and Timão.


Soccer

Filipe Luís explains the absence of reserve defenders in Flamengo games: "It wouldn't be fair"

Defeat at Maracanã forces Mais Querido to win away from home by two goals to continue in the competition and the coach explains about the youth team's defenders

Filipe Luís explains his decision on defense after Flamengo's defeat to Atlético-MG in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil round of 16 - photo: reproduction
Filipe Luís explains his decision on defense after Flamengo's defeat to Atlético-MG in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil round of 16 - photo: reproduction

01 Ago 2025 | 23:00 |

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Flamengo was defeated by Atlético-MG 1-0 on Thursday night (1), at Maracanã, in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil. The result forces the Rio de Janeiro club to seek qualification away from home, at Arena MRV. To advance directly, the team needs to win by at least two goals. If they achieve a simple victory, the spot will be decided on penalties. A draw favors Galo.


During the post-match press conference, coach Filipe Luís commented on the decision to maintain the starting defensive formation against the Minas Gerais opponent. He said the decision was made considering the complexity of the match and the physical strain on the players.


"I think defense is a delicate area. I don't like to change the back line; I try to change it as little as possible. Considering the wear and tear you mentioned, there's also the opponent. They're a team that causes us a lot of problems in the back line," said the Flamengo coach.


DANGEROUS OPPONENT ATTACK

Filipe Luís also mentioned the defensive risks Atlético-MG's attack posed, highlighting the offensive prowess of players like Hulk, Rony, and Cuello . The decision to preserve the squad's young defenders was precisely due to this scenario.



Filipe Luís talks about Flamengo's youth defenders: "It wouldn't be fair to the kids"

" I didn't think it would be fair to the boys to play this game. I believe that always playing in defense is a more delicate situation, and the attack with Hulk, Rony, and Cuello would create difficulties for our back line. That's why I chose to keep them. But, if we need them against Ceará, or even in the second leg, I know we have João and Cleiton," added the coach.

FLAMENGO RETURNS TO THE FIELD FOR THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Before the reunion with Atlético-MG, Flamengo returns to the field for the Brazilian Championship this Sunday (03). The match will be against Ceará, at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), at Arena Castelão, in Fortaleza, valid for the 18th round of the competition. The match will be broadcast live on the Premiere channel.


Soccer

Flamengo draws with Fortaleza in the first leg of the Brazilian Women's Under-20 Championship quarterfinals

In a tight game at Presidente Vargas Stadium, the teams remain tied at 0-0 and the decision for a place in the semifinals will be made in next week's match.

Flamengo players in action during the draw against Fortaleza in the Brasileirão Women's Under-20 Championship - photo: reproduction
Flamengo players in action during the draw against Fortaleza in the Brasileirão Women's Under-20 Championship - photo: reproduction

01 Ago 2025 | 22:00 |

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On Thursday afternoon (31), Flamengo Women faced Fortaleza at Presidente Vargas Stadium, in Fortaleza (CE), for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Brazilian Under-20 Championship. The score ended 0-0 after 90 minutes of balance and intense marking , keeping the dispute for a place in the semifinals of the competition open. The decisive clash is scheduled for next week, in Rio de Janeiro.


The first half was marked by intense midfield battles and few clear-cut scoring opportunities. Despite their technically demanding efforts, Mais Querido struggled against the home team's strong marking.


The red-and-blacks ' best chances came from set pieces: a free kick taken by Carol Martins and a corner kick taken by Isabela Nunes , which ended with a header from Brendha and a good save from the opposing goalkeeper. The scoreless draw remained until halftime.


THE SECOND HALF WAS A TIGHT GAME

In the second half, Flamengo continued to try to open the scoring, but again encountered resistance from Fortaleza's defense. The game remained tight, with many physical duels and little attacking activity from either side. The substitutions made by coach Filipe Torres didn't have the desired effect, and the intensity of the match dropped considerably. In the end, in stoppage time, Isabela Nunes crossed to Emilly, who fought back, and Alice shot over the bar—the last real chance before the final whistle.


FOCUS ON THE STATE BEFORE THE DECISION

Before the decisive quarter-final match, Mengão debuts in the U-20 Women's Carioca Championship this Sunday (3), against União Central, at 11 am, in Gávea. The coaching staff takes advantage of the state duel to maintain the athletes' rhythm and adjust the team for the return match against Fortaleza, where only a victory guarantees direct qualification for the semi-final of the Brasileirão in the category.


Soccer

Filipe Luís reveals that the Copa do Brasil is not a priority at Flamengo: "I joined..."

After a 1-0 loss at Maracanã in the Copa do Brasil, the Mais Querido coach says he will try to reverse the score away from home and highlights planning

Filipe Luís highlights the squad's priorities and planning after Flamengo's defeat to Atlético-MG in the Copa do Brasil - photo: reproduction
Filipe Luís highlights the squad's priorities and planning after Flamengo's defeat to Atlético-MG in the Copa do Brasil - photo: reproduction

01 Ago 2025 | 21:30 |

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Flamengo lost 1-0 to Atlético-MG this Thursday (1st) at Maracanã in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil. Despite the negative result, coach Filipe Luís believes the match remains open and that Flamengo is fully capable of seeking qualification away from home. The second leg will be held at Arena MRV in Belo Horizonte.




Filipe Luís reveals his goal at Flamengo: "Brazilian and Libertadores are priorities"


"The Brazilian Championship and the Libertadores are priorities, but I came in to win . Just like in the Ceará game, I'm prepared to win with the players I believe are the best. Of course, in the second leg, we'll try to turn things around. In my opinion, it's wide open. We know it's difficult to play in our opponent's stadium, but just as they won here, we can win there," said Filipe Luís in the post-match press conference.

DECISION TO SAVE HOLDERS


When asked about the absence of some important names in the match, the commander explained that the decision to rest players was made strategically , taking into account the physical wear and tear and the tactical fit thought out for the Flamengo match.

"It was a plan in which I decided on the players. None of them had been ruled out, but I believe that given their current run of form, it wouldn't be wise to play them today and Sunday as well. And also that they fit in with the game plan I had envisioned for the match. In the other game, Arrascaeta was on the field and didn't benefit from that plan. I opted for other changes, to rest him so he could have some training sessions and be in good shape next week," he added.

FLAMENGO NEEDS TO WIN

To qualify for the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals, Flamengo will have to beat Atlético-MG by two goals in Belo Horizonte. If the Rio de Janeiro team wins by just one goal, the match will go to penalties. A draw favors Atlético-MG, who have the advantage after the result at Maracanã.


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