Vini Jr, ex-Flamengo, renews with Real Madrid for a billion-dollar sum

Faced with recent absences, the physical strain caused by the tight schedule, and the possibility of losing players this summer, Flamengo has accelerated the process of strengthening its squad . With the transfer window open until September 2nd, the club has identified three main weaknesses in the current group: defense, goalkeeping, and attack . This information comes from the 'GE' portal.

LEFT-HANDED DEFENDER IS A PRIORITY

After an internal evaluation, the club's board concluded it needed another defensive option. In the Copa do Brasil round of 16 matches against Atlético-MG, coach Filipe Luís was unable to rest his starting defenders. Danilo is injured, and the only alternatives on the bench were youngsters João Victor and Cleiton .

Cleiton, meanwhile, is set to leave at the end of the year, when his contract expires . The defender's staff is already in talks with interested clubs for a possible early transfer this summer. Flamengo is therefore seeking a left-footed defender. Currently, only Cleiton and Léo Pereira play on the left side of defense. The goal is to increase competition in the sector and avoid overload.

REPLACEMENT IN GOAL

Another move is in goal. With Matheus Cunha already signed with Cruzeiro for 2026, Flamengo is moving forward to secure a reliable backup for Agustín Rossi. The board has already initiated talks with several goalkeepers on the transfer market .

A CENTER FORWARD WITH A DIFFERENT PROFILE

In attack, the coaching staff requested the signing of a center forward with different characteristics than Pedro —that is, a player with greater mobility and ability to move outside the box. Lucas Beltrán (Fiorentina) and Taty Castellanos (Lazio) were on the radar, but negotiations with the Italian clubs have not progressed so far.

INVESTMENT COULD REACH €15 MILLION

Even after already investing €43 million (R$273 million) this transfer window —with the signings of Emerson Royal, Carrascal, and Samuel Lino (in addition to Saúl, who arrived without transfer fees) —Flamengo admits it could invest another €15 million (approximately R$95 million) in reinforcements. This financial boost came from the sales of Gerson to Zenit (Russia) and Wesley to Roma (Italy), which totaled €50 million (R$318 million). And the club could still raise more.

POSSIBLE EXITS

Two names are emerging as candidates for departure: Matheus Gonçalves and Michael. Matheus was close to being traded to Cruzeiro and is a target for clubs abroad . CSKA Moscow has shown interest and may open formal talks with the club's board. The midfielder hasn't played since the Club World Cup on June 24th and hasn't been included in the squad since the match against São Paulo on July 12th.

Michael, who was undergoing treatment for pain in his left ankle, returned to training with the group this week. He chose not to travel to Belo Horizonte due to technical reasons. The player and the club have mutual interest in a transfer , and the striker's staff is looking for opportunities in the market.

Defender Pablo, currently linked with Flamengo , may be leaving this international transfer window. According to Russian portal RPL Sky, FK Sochi has expressed interest in signing the defender , who already has experience in Russian football and would be open to returning to the country.

Sochi currently sits in 16th place in the Russian Premier League, the bottom of the table, and is seeking reinforcements for its defensive sector, which has conceded nine goals in the first three rounds of the competition. Pablo 's potential arrival is seen as an attempt to restructure the team to escape the relegation zone.

EXPERIENCE IN RUSSIA

Pablo, who previously played for Lokomotiv Moscow before returning to Brazilian football, would be open to a new stint in Russia. However, the defender wants significant financial compensation to leave the Mais Querido club before his contract expires in December.

Currently out of coach Filipe Luís's plans, the defender hasn't played since the Campeonato Carioca. In 2024, he was loaned to Botafogo, but returned to the club with no prospects of being included in the main squad.

PABLO WINS FOUR TITLES

Signed in 2022, Pablo has played a key role in Flamengo 's squad. During this time, he won two Campeonato Carioca titles (2024 and 2025), a Copa do Brasil (2022), and a Libertadores (2022). Despite not playing frequently, he has been a key player in the team that has won multiple titles in recent years.

French magazine France Football released this Thursday (7) the official list of nominees for the 2025 Ballon d'Or award. Among the main names is striker Vini Jr, revealed by Flamengo and currently one of the main stars of Real Madrid. The winner will be announced on September 22 , in a ceremony held at the Théâtre du Châtelet, in Paris.

The award, no longer linked to FIFA , has once again fueled debate over who was the best player of the European season. Last year, Vini Jr. was considered one of the favorites, but he ultimately lost the trophy to Manchester City's Spanish midfielder Rodri.

VINI JR'S SEASON

Although Real Madrid didn't win any major trophies last season, Vini Jr.'s individual performance was once again outstanding. The Merengue's number 7 broke his personal record for appearances in a single season: 58 matches, scoring 22 goals and providing 16 assists.

Besides Vini Jr, only Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé represented the Spanish club in the Ballon d'Or list , reinforcing the perception of a year below expectations for the squad led by Carlo Ancelotti.

LIST OF NOMINEES FOR THE BALLOON D'OR

Paris Saint-Germain, winners of the last edition of the Champions League, was the club with the most players among the nominees: nine in total. Among the names mentioned are Dembélé, Donnarumma, Hakimi, and Vitinha . On the other hand, only two Brazilians are among the contenders for the award: Vini Jr., of Real Madrid, and Raphinha, of Barcelona.