Soccer

Vini Jr, ex-Flamengo, loses morale and future at Real Madrid is uncertain - says newspaper

The striker, a product of Mengão, would not have the same prestige that he enjoyed before Mbappé's arrival and could be close to leaving the Merengue club

Former Flamengo player Vini Jr lost prestige at Real Madrid after Mbappé's arrival and his future is uncertain - Photo: Reproduction
Former Flamengo player Vini Jr lost prestige at Real Madrid after Mbappé's arrival and his future is uncertain - Photo: Reproduction

24 Mar 2025 | 12:14 |

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The hierarchy at Real Madrid has undergone significant changes following the arrival of Kylian Mbappé . Previously a central player in the team, Vini Jr , formerly of Flamengo , now sees his role reduced , taking a secondary role, as does Rodrygo .


New dynamics in the Merengue attack


According to the newspaper Sport, the Spanish club sees Mbappé and Bellingham as the pillars of the future. The duo has become the team's offensive reference, and Vini Jr has lost credibility behind the scenes. Despite this, there are no personal problems between the Brazilian and the Frenchman – on the contrary, the two maintain a good relationship off the field. However, on the pitch, the adaptation between them has not yet occurred in the best way.


The leader that Florentino Pérez wanted

Mbappé's rise at Real Madrid is also due to his maturation as a player . According to the publication, the Frenchman displays a more mature and committed behavior , something that Vini Jr has not yet managed to achieve in the eyes of Florentino Pérez.


Another name that has gained popularity behind the scenes is Bellingham, seen as a natural leader despite his young age (21 years old). This factor also influences the board's preference , which seeks to build a team with a strong global image, where the Europeans have an advantage over the South Americans.

What will be the future of Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo?

Even with the loss of prominence, Vini Jr and Rodrygo continue to be valued in the market . English clubs are monitoring the situation and see the number 11 as a player to be the star of a new project, while the Saudi market is willing to invest heavily in the former Flamengo player .

Despite this, both want to stay at Real Madrid and remain committed to the club. The board, in turn, hopes that both understand that the team's hierarchy is clear and that they will need to adapt to the new scenario within the squad.


Soccer

Flamengo surpasses giants like Real Madrid, Barcelona and PSG

Victory over Internacional in the Libertadores puts Mengão above the main teams in European football, such as the Spanish team and the French champions.

Since the arrival of Filipe Luís, Flamengo has won more games than Real Madrid, Barcelona and PSG - Photo: Adriano Fontes/Flamengo
Since the arrival of Filipe Luís, Flamengo has won more games than Real Madrid, Barcelona and PSG - Photo: Adriano Fontes/Flamengo

22 Ago 2025 | 18:00 |

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Flamengo achieved an impressive feat under Filipe Luís. With the 2-0 victory over Internacional , this Wednesday (20), at Beira-Rio, the club reached 43 triumphs since October 2024 , becoming the team with the most victories in the world in that period.


Rubro-Negro overcame European football powers such as PSG, Real Madrid and Barcelona , who recorded 42, 39 and 37 victories, respectively, which further consolidates the numbers achieved since the coach began his work at Mengão.


RANKING OF TEAMS WITH THE MOST WINS SINCE OCTOBER 2024
  • Flamengo: 43 wins
  • PSG: 42 wins
  • Real Madrid: 39 wins
  • Barcelona: 37 wins
QUALIFIED IN THE LIBERTADORES


In addition to the record, Flamengo also confirmed its place in the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores . The team eliminated Internacional with two victories: 1-0 at Maracanã and 2-0 at Beira-Rio. In the next round, they will face Estudiantes (ARG).

THREE WINS IN A ROW OVER INTER


Internacional has been one of the main victims of Mais Querido in 2025. In less than a month, there were three consecutive defeats to the team from Rio Grande do Sul, with an aggregate score of 6-1 in the following clashes between the two teams:

  • 1-0 in the first leg of the Libertadores round of 16;
  • 3 to 1 for the Brazilian Championship;
  • 2-0 in the second leg of the Libertadores.
NEXT APPOINTMENT

Now, Flamengo turns its attention to the Brazilian Championship. The next game will be against Vitória, on Monday (25), at 9 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã. The match will be broadcast on Premiere (pay-per-view) and SporTV (closed channel).


Soccer

Problem? Arrascaeta appears to be undergoing treatment during his time off at Flamengo

Uruguayan is having his best season in terms of numbers with the Mengão shirt, but he worried fans by posting a post showing the procedure

Arrascaeta posts a video of himself undergoing treatment with Flamengo's physiotherapist on social media - Photo: Reproduction/Flamengo
Arrascaeta posts a video of himself undergoing treatment with Flamengo's physiotherapist on social media - Photo: Reproduction/Flamengo

22 Ago 2025 | 17:00 |

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Flamengo's squad had Friday (22) off , but Arrascaeta didn't stop taking care of himself. Even without scheduled activities at Ninho do Urubu, the number 10 showed concern about the sequence of games of the season and carried out special treatment at home.


On social media, the Uruguayan posted a video in which he appears to be receiving a procedure on his right thigh , similar to a localized massage. The session was conducted by Laniyan Neves, the club's physiotherapist .


HOW IS THE SITUATION IN ARRASCAETA?


The midfielder is not injured. After enjoying the break, he will return to the squad as normal this Saturday (23), at 9:30 am , at Ninho do Urubu in preparation for the game against Vitória and there is an expectation that he will be a starter for the match.

THE URUGUAYAN'S MOMENT IN THE SEASON


Arrascaeta is enjoying one of his best spells for Flamengo . He has not only reached 100 assists , equaling idols like Zico, Júnior, and Adílio, but also scored 15 goals in 2025, leaving him just three shy of his best year with the club, in 2019.

Last Wednesday (20), he was decisive again: he scored the first goal in the victory over Internacional, at Beira-Rio , in the round of 16 of the Libertadores. With the triumph, confirmed with Pedro's goal, Mais Querido advanced to the quarterfinals, where they will face Estudiantes (ARG).

WHAT IS FLAMENGO'S NEXT GAME?

With Arrascaeta available, Flamengo returns to the field this Monday (25), at 9 pm (Brasília time), against Vitória, at Maracanã, for the 21st round of the Brasileirão. The match will be broadcast by Premiere (pay-per-view) . Mengão is the leader of the competition with 43 points, while Vitória opens the relegation zone with 19.


Soccer

Barcelona coach heaps praise on Flamengo ahead of U-20 World Cup

Barça will be Mengão's opponent this Saturday (23) at Maracanã for the intercontinental decision and coach Belletti talks about the greatness of Fla

Barcelona coach Belletti heaps praise on Flamengo ahead of the U-20 World Cup final - Photo: Reproduction/Lance
Barcelona coach Belletti heaps praise on Flamengo ahead of the U-20 World Cup final - Photo: Reproduction/Lance

22 Ago 2025 | 16:00 |

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The Crias do Ninho continue preparing for the big decision of the U-20 Club World Cup , which takes place this Saturday (23), against Barcelona (ESP) , at Maracanã. On the other side, the coach of the Spanish team, Juliano Belletti, celebrated the return to the stadium and highlighted the strength of Flamengo and the Nação Rubro-Negra.


Barcelona coach Belletti on Flamengo: "a great story with an impressive fan base"


"Being able to return to Maracanã, now as a coach, was something I saw as very difficult years ago. Today, returning to represent Barça, the club where I played and won titles , in front of a Flamengo team with a great history and an impressive fan base, is an experience that needs to be lived with the utmost intensity possible," Belletti told Lance!.


The coach also emphasized the importance of the match: " It will be Barcelona's first official game in Brazil in 125 years . And it will be at the Maracanã. More than anything, it's about representing the institution well, respecting Flamengo —the current Libertadores champion in this category—and showing what everyone expects: the club's DNA."

WILL FLAMENGO HAVE REINFORCEMENTS FOR THE FINAL?


Bruno Pivetti's team will have important reinforcements from the professional squad. João Victor, Matheus Gonçalves, Daniel Sales, and Lorran were released to join the under-20 group in the final . The Rubro-Negro won the title in 2024, defeating Olympiacos (GRE) 2-1 at Maracanã. Now, they will have the chance to win their second championship in front of their home fans.

WHEN IS THE GAME BETWEEN FLAMENGO AND BARCELONA?

The final between Flamengo and Barcelona, led by Belletti, takes place this Saturday (23), at 4:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, with a full house expected at the stadium. The match will be broadcast on Rede Globo (open TV) and SporTV (closed TV).


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