DID YOU KNOW? HOW MUCH FLAMENGO CAN EARN FROM A POSSIBLE SALE OF A FORMER PLAYER WHO PLAYS IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE

Revealed in Flamengo's youth ranks, midfielder Lucas Paquetá is facing a critical moment in his career. Amid an investigation into possible involvement with sports betting, the player is experiencing uncertainty in English football and is at risk of being banned from the sport. The decision on the athlete's future should be announced by June.

He wasn't feeling well..."

According to manager Graham Potter, the Brazilian has been dealing with emotional difficulties due to the case. " It's been a very difficult week for him personally, which I think everyone can understand. And as a result of that, he wasn't feeling well the day before the game against Manchester United and also during the game," said the West Ham manager in a press conference.

PLAYER RECEIVES CARD IN ANOTHER DISCREET PERFORMANCE

The coach chose to leave Paquetá on the bench for the match against Nottingham Forest this Sunday (11). “ I didn't want to take any risks and make things worse for him . But he trained very well, he wants to help the team and we'll see how we use him this weekend against Forest", explained Potter. Paquetá came on in the second half, in the 58th minute, replacing Guido Rodríguez, but had a discreet participation in the 2-1 defeat.

The Brazilian received another yellow card , a recurring situation that has led to investigations into possible manipulations. The incident was considered controversial, and Paquetá almost got sent off. The performance earned him a score of 6.7 on Sofascore , maintaining the standard of performance below expectations in recent matches.

PAQUETÁ DEALS WITH PUBLIC PRESSURE

The player's current situation involves strong external pressure and direct impact on the field. Recently, Paquetá cried after being warned with yet another card. With the deadline for the conclusion of the process approaching, there is growing apprehension about what the outcome of the situation will be for the athlete revealed by Flamengo .

Danilo, Wesley, Léo Ortiz, Alex Sandro, Gerson and Pedro. Flamengo has six players in Carlo Ancelotti's first preliminary call-up for the Brazilian national team. The CBF sent out notices to all clubs involved last Saturday afternoon requesting their release, and the final list of 23 names will be released by the Italian himself on the 26th in Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil will face Ecuador on June 5 in Guayaquil and Paraguay on June 10 at the Corinthians Arena in São Paulo. As required by FIFA, the CBF must notify the clubs 15 days before the presentation, which will take place on June 2, so that the presence of the players called up is mandatory, and this was done on Saturday afternoon.

DEFINITION OF NAMES

Carlo Ancelotti defined the preliminary list in meetings with the national team director, Rodrigo Caetano, and the technical coordinator, Juan, during the week in Madrid. The list has around 50 names to be reduced to the final 23 at the coach's presentation. In March, the CBF made public the call-up of 52 players, but this time it will keep it confidential.

From the red-black sextet, Wesley, Léo Ortiz and Gerson participated in Dorival Júnior's last FIFA Date, while Danilo was cut . Alex Sandro was on the pre-list and was left out of the final call-up .

PEDRO IS REMEMBERED AGAIN

Pedro, in turn, returns to the national team's radar after eight months. The center forward was called up for the September 2024 games, also against Ecuador and Paraguay, but ended up seriously injuring his knee during training in Curitiba.

The Brazilian national team begins the Carlo Ancelotti era with the final call-up on the 26th, in Rio de Janeiro . The first training session is scheduled for June 2nd, at Corinthians' Joaquim Grava training center.

During his participation in the program Bate Pronto , on Jovem Pan , commentator Vampeta commented on Pedro 's situation at Flamengo . The center forward, who recently returned to the field after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, has not yet played 90 minutes under coach Filipe Luís . According to the former midfielder for the Brazilian National Team , the coaching staff is right to be cautious in using the number 9.

There's a lot of recurrence when you have this cruciate injury..."

"I agree with Filipe Luís, you have to be a little calm . I had this cruciate injury, it's a very serious injury. Calleri, for example, will be out for a year. There's a lot of recurrence when you have this cruciate injury. Pedro has already had it for the second time. So, he's coming back, you have to be a little calm . The season is really long," said Vampeta.

Pedro returned to the pitch in Flamengo 's 2-1 defeat to Central Córdoba at Maracanã in the Libertadores. Since then, the striker has shown his decisive power, scoring four goals . Despite this, he is still the team's third top scorer in 2025: Bruno Henrique has six goals , while the leader of the ranking is Arrascaeta , with ten .

"YOU HAVE TO HAVE PATIENCE", SAYS VAMPETA

Vampeta, who has already faced the same type of injury during his career , highlighted the physical and emotional challenge of recovery, reinforcing the importance of a progressive approach.

"Pedro was out of action for almost a year, so I agree with Filipe Luís. We have to keep an eye on him . He will be an absolute starter for this Flamengo, but we have to be patient. It's not just any injury . More than anyone, Pedro knows what it was like, in his career, to be out of action for two years and, every day, go to the club for physiotherapy, to recover," he added.

NEXT APPOINTMENT

Flamengo returns to the field this Sunday (18), when they face Botafogo , at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, in a classic valid for the Brazilian Championship. Pedro, even in the reconditioning phase, should be related and start on the bench.