The Globe
Fla announces Marcinho and Rodrigo. Jônatas is missing.
Former Atlético-MG supporter will be presented today and former Russian club defender on Thursday
Flamengo fulfilled part of its promise yesterday to announce its reinforcement package for next season before the end of 2007. Late in the afternoon, through an official statement, the board officially confirmed the agreements with defender Rodrigo, from Dynamo Kyiv, and midfielder Marcinho, from Atlético-MG. In addition to these two, the club is very close to an agreement to repatriate Jônatas, from Espanyol, Barcelona.
The first to be introduced will be Marcinho, who failed to reach an agreement to renew his contract with Atlético-MG and accepted the club's offer. He arrived in Rio yesterday, began his medical exams—which he completes today—and will hold a press conference this afternoon. Just like the midfielder's situation, that of defender Rodrigo, a 2005 Libertadores champion with São Paulo, had already been decided since last Friday, with only a document pending from the Russian club to complete the deal. This arrived mid-afternoon, and the signing was announced.
Rodrigo will be introduced on Thursday, but since yesterday, the club's board has been fully focused on reaching an agreement with Jônatas. Vice President of Football Kleber Leite is optimistic, saying only a few issues need to be resolved for negotiations to be finalized.
Flu and São Paulo reportedly made an offer for the supporter
Even so, yesterday, the Catalan club's sporting director, Paco Herrera, stated that he was unaware of the numbers of a red-black proposal.
"I have a personal relationship with Eduardo Uram (the player's agent), and we've spoken a few times. But nothing has been said between me and Flamengo. The situation is delicate and complicated. I don't know if the signing is close or far away," he told Rádio Brasil.
According to information published in the Spanish press, São Paulo and Fluminense would be interested in Jônatas, but the offers presented to the Spanish club were low and, in the case of the player's return to Brazil, Flamengo would have priority.
Two Christmas gifts
Kleber Leite confirms the signings of Rodrigo and Marcinho, who will be introduced this week
NATHAN DE LIMA AND TIAGO DA COSTA
Rodrigo arrives from Russia to form a duo with defender Fábio Luciano
The fans sent their "letter," behaved well, and the Red-Black Nation's Christmas gift arrived early. Vice-president of football Kleber Leite officially announced yesterday the first names in the Christmas package he promised last week.
Midfielder Marcinho, formerly of Atlético-MG, and defender Rodrigo, formerly of Dynamo Kiev, will be presented this week.
Marcinho had an excellent end to this year's Brazilian Championship, even taking over the number 10 jersey for the Minas Gerais club, but disciplinary issues forced coach Leão to sideline him, which facilitated his arrival at the Rubro-Negro. In an official statement on the club's website, Kleber Leite confirmed the midfielder's presentation for today at Gávea.
"Marcinho will undergo tests tomorrow (today), in the morning, and will be presented at 16:30 pm, at the Rogério Steinberg Auditorium, in Gávea", said an excerpt from the statement.
Regarding defender Rodrigo, the presentation, which was also supposed to take place today, had to be postponed a little, and will take place next Thursday.
"Flamengo today (yesterday) finalized the signing of defender Rodrigo from Dynamo Kyiv. The player will arrive in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday for a medical and presentation. We have the necessary documentation and that's why we're only announcing him now. To be honest, everything was already agreed," Kleber Leite told the club's official website.
Jonathan
The other certainty for 2008 is midfielder Jônatas. The board doesn't yet have a set date for his presentation, but it's very likely that it will be after Christmas. Kleber Leite said, although he can't confirm it yet, that the player's chances of appearing at Gávea before 2008 are very high.
"It's humanly impossible for Jônatas to be introduced this week, he's still in Spain, but everything is going very well. I'm very confident in this signing," warned Kleber Leite.
Regarding the mysterious striker, the director explained the reason for all the secrecy. The fact is, options on the market are very scarce, and therefore, the board hasn't yet started talking to any players.
"We're considering a few names, but we haven't actually spoken to anyone yet. We're going to take our time in the market to bring in a player who meets our needs," Kleber Leite added.
Ibson wants to re-establish his successful duo with Jônatas
Ibson is very excited about the possibility of Jônatas following in his footsteps and leaving European football to return to Gávea. For the midfielder, the most important thing is that Flamengo's board is working to strengthen the team for next season. "It's great that Flamengo is strengthening its squad. And the club's interest in Jônatas is great because we played together for a long time, and it will be great to see this partnership re-establish itself in the Libertadores," said Ibson, who, alongside Jônatas, won the 2004 Carioca Championship.
Rodrigo already speaks like a Flamengo fan and praises Flamengo's directors
Defender Rodrigo, who was playing for Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine, confirmed his move to Flamengo last Monday, December 17th. Excited about the opportunity to play for one of the most famous clubs in the world, the athlete didn't hold back when talking about the fans and the institution itself.
"It may seem like a cliché, but every soccer player truly dreams of playing for Flamengo. Having the red-and-black fans behind you makes all the difference in decisive matches. I appreciate the dedication of the board, especially Kléber Leite, who, ever since he learned of my desire to return to Brazilian soccer, spared no effort to secure my signing. In Ukraine, I always followed the club online, especially in these last few weeks," the player declared.
Rodrigo will report to his new club next Thursday, the 20th, when he will undergo medical examinations. "I'm eagerly awaiting this moment when I can wear the Sacred Mantle and join the biggest fan base on the planet. I hope 2008 is a victorious year, and we'll do everything we can to help Flamengo shine again on the international stage. Everyone's desire is to transform next year's squad into one of the most celebrated in Flamengo's history. Given the dedication of the people who work there, I believe the fans will once again fill the Maracanã stadium again and again," he said.
Obina can't wait to make his big dream come true
File/JS
Invited by Zico to play in the 'All-Star Game', Obina will have the opportunity to play with his idol
Confirmed for the "Game of Stars"—an event hosted by Galinho Zico, which will feature several stars from the past and present, on the 27th at the Maracanã—forward Obina announced through his press office that he will fulfill one of his biggest dreams. The Flamengo fans' favorite will form the attacking duo of the 1987 champion team, replacing Bebeto, alongside Flamengo's greatest idol.
"It was a great joy to hear from Zico himself that he dreamed he was at the Maracanã, giving me a pass. This day will be etched in my memory, and I hope to be able to show the video of the game to my daughter (Sayonara) in the future. Having the opportunity to play alongside the greatest idol of the red-and-black fans is more than I ever dreamed of. I can't wait to step onto the field and help bring joy to the fans," said Obina.
Tickets are now on sale at CFZ, Gávea, Laranjeiras, and Maracanã, from 11 a.m. to 17 p.m. Tickets cost R$10,00 for the grandstand and R$6,00 for the lower blue seats.
The red-black fans are expected to show up in large numbers to witness the event.
Beyond the stands, fans put on a show on the internet
Despite Flamengo having the largest fan base in Brazil, six months ago its official website averaged only 180 hits per month, a figure lower than that of smaller teams like Juventude. However, after a graphic and content overhaul, combined with the team's impressive run in the Brazilian Championship, the club's website has become the most visited among the country's soccer clubs, receiving around one million visitors per month.
According to Flamengo's executive marketing director, Ricardo Heinrichesen, the number of visitors is approaching the numbers seen on the websites of major European clubs.
"To give you an idea, Milan's has 1,2 million hits per month. Liverpool's has two million," he said.
Flamengo's project is ambitious. With the new features that will appear on the website in the coming days, the club aims to surpass Milan in promotions by the end of 2008.
"The website that's currently live is still under construction. The multimedia section, which is very popular with internet users, won't go live until January, as will FlaTV. We're also partnering with a team that produces some really cool cartoons. But these new features won't be live until the next 15 days," he said.
He added: "Next year we'll have a lot of new things. Flapedia, which works like Wikipedia, has already been added to the site and is a success. We're going to add a social networking community similar to Orkut."
FlaTV, which will give the red-blacks access to exclusive images of the team's training camp, training sessions and games, will debut on January 3, the same day the players return to Gávea.
“In fact, the TV is already ready, but we decided that the ideal would be to launch it together with the team’s return,” he concluded.
Flamengo shines in the Vitória Rowing Marathon
CRFlamengo competed in the III Vitória Rowing Marathon (ES), held last Saturday (15/12) and won in great style.
The red-and-black team entered the fray as a guest and earned much more than prestige. The Rio de Janeiro club received a prize of R$4.000,00.
Flamengo has been a fixture in the competition for the past two years, consistently achieving excellent results. With Saturday's victory, the red-and-black team secured a title previously held only by the Brazilian Rowing Team and Grêmio Náutico União.
Olympic athletes honored in Rio
Ursula Nery
The Brazilian Olympic Committee held a grand celebration yesterday at the Municipal Theater in Rio de Janeiro to honor the athletes who stood out in 2007 and to present the city's logo during the campaign to host the 2016 Olympic Games.
Swimmer Thiago Pereira, who won eight medals at the Pan American Games, and gymnast Jade Barbosa, who also won gold at the Games held in July this year, were chosen as athletes of the year.
Preparation for the National title
No one in Gávea hides the fact that a first-ever national title is the season's main goal. But that doesn't mean the Liga das Américas, which is celebrating its first edition this year, will be taken lightly by the red-and-blacks.
Forward Marcelinho made a point of emphasizing that the tournament is an opportunity for Flamengo basketball to achieve international prestige. "Before the National Championship, there's the League, which is a great opportunity for us to show that our basketball team is successful not only in Brazil, but also in the Americas."
This will be the first match for the new red-and-black squad (which includes point guards Duda and Hélio, forward Marcelinho, and center Alírio, among others) outside the state. Coach Paulo Chupeta is confident that his team will prove equally competitive playing away from home.
"It's going to be a tough tournament. We're in a group with traditional South American teams, whose players choose the best moments to make plays. The team is prepared, and we're going all out to win and secure Flamengo's spot in the next round," he stated.
Fla seeks to conquer America
The Red-Black team debuts in the League of the Americas against its already known rival Minas Tênis
Rafael Oliveira
Ursula Nery
The duo Marcelinho and Chupeta are excited for another title
After cementing its dominance in Rio de Janeiro basketball, Flamengo sets out to conquer the continent. Marcelinho and company debut today in the League of the Americas, the first international tournament the red-and-blacks have participated in in two years (the last being the 2005 South American Championship). Their first match will be against an old acquaintance: Pitágoras/Minas. The match will be held at the Minas Gerais club's gymnasium at 20 p.m.
The two clubs are in Group C of the competition, which will be played entirely in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, and also includes Boca Juniors (Argentina) and Defensor Sporting (Uruguay). All teams will face each other, and the top two will advance to the quarterfinals, where they will meet the top two teams from Group D, which will take place in Mar del Plata, Argentina, and will feature the "hermanos" Libertad Sunchales and Peñarol Mar del Plata, as well as Liceo Mixto (Chile) and Universo/Brasília.
The red-and-blacks' opponent in their opening match was one of the contenders for the state title. Minas Gerais participated in the Carioca Championship representing Fluminense. Flamengo prevailed in both matches, winning the first round 91-86. In the second, they triumphed again, this time 91-75.
"They just won the Mineiro and have strengthened their position for this competition. They're a strong team, one we know well because they played for Fluminense in the Rio championship, and their fans will be cheering them on," said winger Marcelinho, one of the standouts in the victorious campaign for the third title.
Unlike what happened in the State Championship, Flamengo will now face a rested Minas team excited about winning the Minas Gerais title.
“We are motivated, we prepared well and we will aim to qualify for the next stage,” said coach Flávio Davis.
MINES
Sucatzky, Soró, Wanderson, André and Mãozão\ Coach: Flávio Davis\
FLAMENGO
Fred, Marcelinho, Amiel, Alírio and Coloneze\ Coach: Paulo Chupeta\
Location: Arena Telemig/Minas Tênis\ Time: 20pm\
Sergio Du Bocage
Here's What You Wanted!
The chant of the fans
Sergio Du Bocage bocage@jsports.com.br
Which song ended the year at number one on the fan charts? Flamengo fans, thanks to their third-place finish in the Brazilian Championship, took the lead with "Libertadores, sou eu quem vou!" (Libertadores, I'm the one who's going!) The chant is provocative to Vasco fans, but regardless, it has a healthy meaning: it's free from insults, non-aggressive, and fun (at least for the red-and-blacks). And cheering is joy, it's a sign of love, it's fun. Therefore, at the end of this year, we must praise the behavior of true Rio fans, who faced numerous challenges, both inside and outside the stadiums, but knew how to cherish the love they have for their favorite teams.
It's all thanks to a movement adopted by Rio's four major fan clubs. No fighting, no insults. The "Crazy for Botafogo," Fluminense's "Tricolor Legion," Vasco's "Warriors of the Admiral," and Flamengo's "Urubuzada" deserve applause. They are undoubtedly responsible for the return of many fans to stadiums. They realized their team needed support and encouragement. The fans showed that it takes maximum dedication, sweating it out in pursuit of a good result. The "Tricolor Legion," on its website, even teaches fans how to control their voices so they can sing for the full 90 minutes. It also lists several songs—some, unfortunately, with the occasional expletive that's perfectly dispensable. "Um sentir verde, branco e grená" (A Green, White, and Maroon Feeling) is one of the most beautiful.
The first song to become a hit was Botafogo's. "E ninguém cala esse nosso amor" (And no one can silence our love) was sung at the top of their lungs until the managers and players managed to silence the fans. The fans did their part and more, but when their patience reached its limit, the song practically disappeared.
The Vasco da Gama chant was most prominent at São Januário, "Meu caldeirão." Unfortunately, it didn't quite work out that way. But this crowd should serve as an example to other Vasco da Gama fans recently involved in brawls.
Finally, the victory theme. "Race, love, and passion" undoubtedly took the country by storm. It became a hit, became a jersey, and led to Flamengo fans earning the team's number 12 jersey forever and having it declared nationally recognized by the city government. It was a spectacle in itself. Merry Christmas to you, true fans who have returned to the stadiums. It's great to see you again.
O Dia
Fla: Marcinho will be introduced today
Player who was at Atlético-MG undergoes tests. Rodrigo is also right.
Rio - Flamengo announced yesterday the signing of two reinforcements for the season: midfielder Marcinho, from Atlético-MG, and defender Rodrigo, from Dynamo Kyiv.
Marcinho will be at Gávea full-time today. In the morning, he will undergo medical examinations, and in the afternoon, after signing the contract, he will be presented to the press in the club's auditorium.
Rodrigo won't waste any time either. The player, who won the Copa Libertadores with São Paulo in 2005, will arrive in Rio on Thursday. He will undergo tests and be presented at Gávea.
The signings won't stop there. Jônatas' deal is practically finalized and could be announced by the board this week. Yesterday, in an official statement, vice president of football Kléber Leite confirmed that progress has been made in negotiations for the return of the player, who is unhappy at Espanyol in Spain: "Negotiations have progressed, but there are still some details to be worked out between Flamengo and Espanyol Barcelona."
FLA-TV IN JANUARY
The players' return to training on January 3rd will mark the beginning of Fla-TV broadcasts. By paying a monthly fee, fans can watch exclusive footage of the team's training camp, training sessions, and matches. Broadcasts will be online. The club expects to raise up to R$500 per month.
Jade and Thiago gave
Gymnast and swimmer win Brazil Olympic Award as the best of the year
Danielle Rocha
Rio - Gymnast Jade Barbosa and swimmer Thiago Pereira were crowned yesterday as the big winners of the Brazil Olympic Awards, presented by the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) at the Municipal Theater. The title of best athlete of the year capped a stellar season for both, highlighted by their medals at the Rio Pan American Games.
Jade won gold in the vault at the Pan American Games and bronze in the individual all-around at the Stuttgart World Championships. "I didn't want to cry, but..." she said, holding back tears, as she accepted the award. "Behind an athlete is a whole group: coach, family, the Confederation..." thanked Jade, who beat soccer player Marta and pole vaulter Fabiana Murer.
Thiago didn't hold back in 2007: he won six gold medals at the Pan American Games and broke the world record in the 200m short course individual medley. The swimmer accepted the award with his mother, Rose, shouting, "Thanks, Thiago!" "I'm so happy. I want to thank my family, my mother, and Minas Gerais. May we win as many medals as possible at the Olympics," said Thiago, who beat gymnast Diego Hypólito and judoka Tiago Camilo.
Diego, accompanied by his girlfriend, Luciana, also cheered. "I'm looking forward to the Olympics," the gymnast commented.
The trophy for best coach of the year went to Luiz Junite Shinohara, from the men's judo team, who praised Bernardinho, from volleyball: “Bernardinho is a god.”
Sports Gazette
Eager to wear the “sacred mantle,” Rodrigo says Fla is a dream
Kyiv (Ukraine) - With his transfer to Flamengo confirmed, defender Rodrigo couldn't hide his celebration at returning to Brazilian football after more than three seasons with Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine. Excited to play for the Rubro-Negro, the defender showered the club and its fans with praise. "It may seem like a cliché, but every player truly dreams of playing for Flamengo. Having the Rubro-Negro fans behind you makes all the difference in decisive matches. I'm grateful for the board's commitment, especially Kléber Leite (vice president of football), who, from the moment he learned of my desire to return to Brazilian football, spared no effort to secure my signing," revealed the former São Paulo player, optimistic about the team's performance in 2008, when it will compete in the Campeonato Carioca, the Campeonato Brasileiro, and the Copa Libertadores.
"I'm eagerly awaiting this moment when I can don the 'sacred mantle' and join the biggest fan base on the planet. I hope 2008 is a victorious year, and we'll do everything we can to help Flamengo shine again on the international stage. Everyone's hope is to transform next year's squad into one of the most celebrated in Flamengo's history. Given the dedication of the people who work there, I believe the fans will fill the Maracanã stadium again and again," says Rodrigo, who assures he's up to date on the new team. "In Ukraine, I always followed the club online, especially in these last few weeks."
In addition to Rodrigo, Flamengo also confirmed this Monday the arrival of midfielder Marcinho, formerly of Atlético Mineiro. In addition to the duo, the team will be bolstered by defensive midfielder Kleberson, signed in 2007 but only available next season. The board's goal is to win the Copa Libertadores again – the first and only time the Gávea team won the competition was in 1981.
Kléber Leite confirms agreement with Marcinho and Rodrigo\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Monday was good news for Flamengo fans. This afternoon, the club confirmed the signing of midfielder Marcinho and defender Rodrigo for the 2008 Copa Libertadores. The former was acquired on a one-year loan from Atlético-MG, while the latter could even be signed permanently by the red-and-black club.
Marcinho will sign a contract with Flamengo this Tuesday, provided he passes all his medicals. "Everything suggests he could be presented tomorrow at 16:30 p.m. (Brasília time) here at Gávea," said vice president of football Kléber Leite in an interview with Rádio Tupi.
The defender, who was at Dynamo Kyiv and was also being approached by Santos, is expected to be presented this Thursday.
Following the duo, who will be joined by the already-signed midfielder Kléberson, Flamengo plans to finalize Jônatas' return this Tuesday. To that end, Kléber Leite will meet with the athlete's agents.
Zico reveals that the invitation to the friendly match came from a dream with Obina\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - On the 27th, Flamengo fans will have the opportunity to see an idol from the past and one from the present together on the field. On that day, star Zico will host his traditional end-of-year kickabout at the Maracanã. This year, "Galinho" confirmed the invitation for Obina to be present at the party and revealed that he dreamed of playing with the striker. "Obina is a great player and has been a huge help to Flamengo. I had the idea of calling him up for the game after a dream I had, in which I was passing to Obina to score goals," commented Zico, currently in charge of Fenerbahce.
Obina, meanwhile, is enjoying a vacation in Bahia, but has already confirmed that he will come to Rio de Janeiro to play alongside Zico. "He had a dream, but I had several dreams playing alongside him. It will be a great pleasure to play with him," he stated.
"It was a great joy to hear from Zico himself that he dreamed of being at the Maracanã, giving me a pass. My family couldn't believe this dream would come true, and they're all very happy. This day will be a memorable one for me, and I hope to be able to show the video of the game to my daughter (Sayonara) in the future," Obina promises, unmistakably excited.
"My work at Flamengo has been recognized, and having the opportunity to play alongside the club's biggest idol is more than I ever dreamed of. I can't wait to get on the field and help bring joy to the fans," the striker concluded.
Flamengo, the 1987 Copa União champions, will be reunited for the game. The only player missing will be former striker Bebeto, who has already announced he will be absent and will likely be replaced by Obina.
In addition to the former Flamengo players, the charity match will feature striker Vágner Love, from the Brazilian national team and CSKA Moscow in Russia; midfielder Carlos Alberto, formerly of Fluminense and Corinthians and currently with Werder Bremen in Germany; midfielder Ibson and right-back Leonardo Moura, from Flamengo; defensive midfielder Emerson and Dutch midfielder Seedorf, both from AC Milan; Japanese player Hidetoshi Nakata, formerly of Fiorentina and Roma in Italy; and Paraguayans Arce, formerly of Palmeiras and Grêmio, and Gamarra, formerly of Inter, Corinthians, Flamengo, and Palmeiras. Ana Paula de Oliveira and Maria Elisa will be Wagner Tardelli's assistants for the match.
Tickets, which can be purchased at Maracanã, Gávea, Laranjeiras, or CFZ, will cost R$6,00 for the lower blue seats and R$10,00 for the grandstand. All proceeds will go to charity.
Behind the Scenes - Meanwhile, Flamengo president Márcio Braga will have a political commitment this Tuesday morning. Excited that Rio de Janeiro Mayor César Maia has officially recognized Flamengo's fans as part of the city's cultural heritage, the Flamengo director intends to present Flamengo's number 12 jersey to the mayor. The meeting will take place at the City Palace.
PeléNet
Flamengo announces the signings of Marcinho and Rodrigo
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Flamengo took its sweet time, but it announced two signings for next season at once: midfielder Marcinho, from Atlético-MG, and defender Rodrigo, from Dynamo Kyiv-UKR. The former arrives in Rio de Janeiro on Monday night. On Tuesday morning, he will undergo medical examinations and be officially presented at 16:30 pm (Brasília time) at the Rogério Steinberg Auditorium. The defender will be presented on Thursday.
Defender Rodrigo had his peak in national football wearing the São Paulo shirt
"Marcinho should arrive tonight (Monday), he will begin his exams, complete them tomorrow (Tuesday) and will be presented in the afternoon. He will sign a one-year loan contract," said vice-president of football Kleber Leite, who added.
"Flamengo can acquire Rodrigo's transfer permanently. His presentation will be on Thursday," added the Flamengo director, in an interview with Rádio Tupi.
The defender's agent, Giuseppe Dioguardi, in contact with UOL Esporte, confirmed that Dynamo Kyiv sent a fax to Flamengo releasing the Brazilian club to sign Rodrigo.
Regarding Jônatas, of Espanyol-ESP, Kleber Leite believes the situation will be resolved soon. However, the European club denies any contact with the Rubro-Negro, only with the midfielder's agent, Eduardo Uram.
"It's well underway. Just a few differences need to be resolved. Once resolved, it could be here in Brazil soon," concluded Flamengo's vice president of football.
Obina celebrates the chance to play alongside Flamengo's greatest idol
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Flamengo forward Obina is counting down the minutes until December 27th arrives. On that date, he will participate in the All-Star Game, a charity event organized by Zico, which will be held this year at the Maracanã stadium. On that occasion, the Flamengo fans' favorite will play alongside Galinho, the club's greatest idol.
Obina will be one of the attractions of the team formed by former Flamengo players, champions of the controversial 1987 Copa União. He will play in place of Bebeto, who will not be able to participate in the party due to a trip to the United States.
Last week, Zico gave an interview to Rede Globo stating that he still dreams of playing on the Maracanã pitch, now providing passes for Obina's goals.
"It was a great joy to hear from Zico himself that he dreamed of being at the Maracanã, giving me a pass. My family couldn't believe this dream would come true, and they're all very happy. This day will be a memorable one for me, and I hope to be able to show the video of the game to my daughter (Sayonara) in the future. My work at Flamengo was recognized, and having the opportunity to play alongside the biggest idol of the Flamengo fans is more than I ever dreamed of. I can't wait to get on the field and help bring joy to the fans," said Obina, through his press office.
Obina is on vacation in Bahia and travels to Rio on the day of the event.
BalloonSport
Fla hires Rodrigo and Marcinho
Club confirms signing of Dynamo defender and midfielder Marcinho, formerly of Atlético-MG
Eduardo Peixoto
Defender Rodrigo, formerly of São Paulo, is Flamengo's new signing
Flamengo finalized the signings of defender Rodrigo and midfielder Marcinho on Monday afternoon. Both deals were practically complete last Friday, but details were still pending before an official announcement.
However, late in the afternoon, Kléber Leite, the club's vice president of football, released a statement confirming the reinforcements and bringing Jônatas' arrival even closer. He said that negotiations with Espanyol have evolved.
For now, the directors are avoiding disclosing the details of the agreements.
- When the players are introduced, we will inform you how long each of them was correct - declares Kléber Leite.
Rodrigo
The fax from Dynamo Kyiv releasing the former São Paulo defender to the Rubro-Negro arrived in Gávea mid-afternoon. Since the verbal agreement with the defender had already been reached, the club was able to announce the signing.
Rodrigo's agent, Giuseppe Dioguardi, returns from Ukraine with all the remaining documentation and the player's presentation will be on Thursday, in Gávea.
- We exchanged the necessary documents and Rodrigo is guaranteed - says Fla's vice president of football.
Marcinho
Marcinho (e) leaves Atlético-MG for Fla
The midfielder, who won the Minas Gerais, Brazilian, and Copa do Brasil championships with Cruzeiro in 2003 and later played for Grêmio and Turkish football, failed to reach an agreement on a contract renewal with Atlético-MG and received a satisfactory offer from Flamengo. He is already in Rio undergoing medical examinations and will be presented this Tuesday.
"Marcinho is with us doing the medical evaluations. The presentation will probably take place on Tuesday at 16:30 p.m.," explains Kléber.
Cast almost closed
Since the end of the Brazilian Championship, coach Joel Santana and vice-president Kléber Leite have warned that Flamengo would make "specific signings." With the arrivals of Marcinho and Rodrigo and the likely arrival of Jônatas, the club is now looking to bring in another midfielder and a striker before finalizing the squad for the beginning of 2008. It's worth noting that Kléberson has been under contract since October.
Ibson wants to play alongside Jônatas again
Flamengo midfielder hopes Flamengo's negotiations with his former teammate have a happy ending
Cahê Mota
Ibson wants to see Jônatas wearing the Flamengo shirt next season
One of the most popular fans at the Grupo Revelação soccer match in Bonsucesso, Rio de Janeiro, Flamengo midfielder Ibson is very excited about the possibility of Jônatas following in his footsteps and leaving European football to return to Gávea. For Ibson, the most important thing is that Flamengo's management is working to strengthen the team for next season.
"It's great that Flamengo is strengthening its squad. And the club's interest in Jônatas is great because we played together for a long time, and it will be great to see this duo re-establish itself in the Libertadores," says Ibson.
Marcelo D2 brings love for Fla on his skin
Singer, who has CRF tattooed on his arm, sings the fans' favorite anthems at Maracanã
Thiago Dias
In the song "1967," Marcelo D2 recalls the year he was born and his teenage years: "Always at the Maraca watching Mengão play / Zico, Adílio, and Júnior making the ball roll." Today, in his forties, the singer goes from hip-hop to samba, but hasn't lost his identity: he still goes to the Maraca to watch Flamengo play, celebrated their qualification for the Copa Libertadores, and got the initials CRF tattooed on his arm.
"I haven't seen such a great year since the 80s. The fans were so excited. I went to almost every game at Maracanã, it was amazing! The fans are back to the fans I saw when I was a kid and I fell in love with them," D2 told GLOBOESPORTE.COM, shortly before performing at the Noites Cariocas event in Rio de Janeiro.
Much in the spotlight in recent years, the singer is tired of giving interviews and always having to talk about marijuana, rap, or samba. But he got excited when he learned the topic was Flamengo. Upon seeing the GLOBOESPORTE.COM reporter entering the dressing room wearing the red and black jersey, he teased a friend who supports another team:
- That shirt is so f...ing pretty! - he shouted, unable to hold back the curse.
D2's CRF is on his left arm, the place chosen for the rapper's loves
He then made a point of showing off his tattoo. The CRF, with the same shape as the one immortalized on the "sacred mantle," is on his left arm, below an image of samba singer Bezerra da Silva, who died in 2005.
The rapper explains that he has special reasons for the chosen location of the tattoo:
"I have my children's names on this arm, the word "samba," and Bezerra, which represents friendship. These are the things I love in life. So I had to put Mengão here too," he says.
Flamengo is sinister!
The tattoo is one of the rapper's last on his body, which he got earlier this year. However, D2 doesn't believe the tattoo brought the team any luck.
Marcelo shows off his shirt: always at Maraca watching Mengão play
- Luck? Flamengo doesn't need luck. Flamengo is sinister!
At the request of GLOBOESPORTE.COM, Marcelo sang the fans' favorite songs at Maracanã: "Tema da Vitória" and "Conte comigo Mengão".
The singer has already praised the club in a few songs, but he hasn't yet composed a single in honor of the team. That may happen soon.
- You can make a "Rap Rubro-Negro", but it's impossible to make one like "Samba Rubro-Negro" (by Wilson Baptista and Jorge de Castro). This song is amazing - he says, before starting to sing "Flamengo plays tomorrow and I'm going there".
Mixing rap with samba, D2 continues searching for the perfect beat. Meanwhile, his heart beats to the rhythm of the red-and-black fans. With love etched on his skin.
The Libertadores draw is this Wednesday
GLOBOESPORTE.COM follows everything in Asunción, with real-time coverage
Bernardo Ferreira Special correspondent for GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in Asunción
This Wednesday, at 19 p.m. (Brasília time), the five Brazilian teams (São Paulo, Santos, Cruzeiro, Flamengo, and Fluminense) that qualified for the 2008 Copa Libertadores will discover their opponents. The draw will be followed in real time by GLOBOESPORTE.COM and broadcast live on SporTV. But before that, with a special envoy to Asunción, Paraguay, the website will reveal everything that goes on behind the scenes of the event, held at CONMEBOL headquarters.
Internet users will also learn about the organization of South American football and the three Paraguayan clubs that have qualified for the Libertadores: Libertad and Sportivo Luqueño, who are in the group stage, and Cerro Porteño, who will compete in the Libertadores Preliminary, as well as Cruzeiro, the only Brazilian team still to advance to this stage. In total, 33 teams have already qualified for the competition. Check it out!
'Fla has preference to take Jônatas'
Espanyol director practically rules out other offers for the midfielder
Jônatas could return to Flamengo in 2008
Flamengo drafted the offer for Jônatas and submitted it to businessman Eduardo Uram. But Espanyol remains unaware of the figures. At least that's what the Catalan club's sporting director, Paco Herrera, assures.
"I have a personal relationship with Eduardo Uram, and we've spoken a few times. But nothing has been said between me and Flamengo. The situation is delicate and complicated. I don't know if it's too close or too far away," he declared in an interview with "Rádio Brasil."
Espanyol has received two offers for Jônatas from Brazilian clubs. According to the Spanish press, they're from São Paulo and Fluminense. But the Rubro-Negro has a clear advantage.
"These were small offers from clubs whose names I'm not authorized to reveal. But, without a doubt, if Jônatas returns to Brazil, Flamengo is the clear preference," Paco states.
The manager praised Jônatas' quality, but said that he is actually being underutilized. Flamengo hopes to resolve the issue by the end of this week.
'I also dream about Zico,' says Obina
Flamengo striker confirms his presence at the All-Star Game on the 27th
Obina wears the number 12 shirt of the fans
Obina's vacation in Bahia will indeed be interrupted on December 27th. The striker confirmed that he will come to Rio de Janeiro to participate in the "Game of the Stars" organized by Zico, at Maracanã.
The idea came about after the greatest idol in Flamengo's history declared that he dreams of giving Obina a pass to score goals.
"He had a dream. I've had several! I've always dreamed of playing with Zico. I dream about him too. But on the 27th, everything will work out, and we'll do what the fans want," he declares.
The striker plans to record the match so he can show it to his one-year-old daughter, Sayonara. But in Bahia, Zico's statement has already changed the mood of the player's vacation.
"Hearing Zico say he wants to give me a pass made me very proud. It shows that my work has been well recognized at Flamengo. My family congratulated me and made my day.
FlaTV premieres on January 3rd
Club reaches consensus that debut must be with active players
Eduardo Peixoto
On the day Flamengo's players return for training for the next season, a Flamengo camera will begin monitoring them. This will be the launch of FlaTV. Previously scheduled for December, the broadcasts are now set to premiere on January 3rd. The marketing department's decision was approved by the soccer leadership.
"This time of year is very quiet. The debut will be on January 3rd," says the club's executive marketing director, Ricardo Heinrichsen.
FlaTV broadcasts will be online. Fans will pay a monthly fee to access exclusive footage of training camps, matches, and training sessions. The club expects to raise up to R$500 per month.
Ledio Carmona
Rearguard ready
Flamengo completed its excellent defense for 2008 with Rodrigo and Fábio Luciano. With the signing of Rodrigo, a solid defender who came through Ponte Preta, had a successful stint at São Paulo, and spent three years between Russia and Moscow, the defense, theoretically, is very well-established. Jônatas is almost certain. And Marcinho, formerly of Galo and Cruzeiro, also made the right decision.
For now, the team will have Bruno, Leo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Rodrigo and Juan; Jônatas, Cristian (Kleberson), Ibson and Renato Augusto; Souza and another speed striker to be signed.
It's a good team and can do very well in the Libertadores.
The path is right.
Throw
Marcinho and Rodrigo guaranteed at Flamengo
Club website announces signings of midfielder and defender
Rodrigo and Marcinho are from Mengão
LANCEPRESS!
Flamengo announced on Monday, through its website, the signing of two players: midfielder Marcinho (formerly of Atlético-MG) and defender Rodrigo, who was at Dynamo Kyiv and previously played for São Paulo. They join midfielder Kléberson as the club's first reinforcements for the 2008 season, the year in which the club will compete in the Copa Libertadores.
Marcinho, 23, will undergo medical examinations this Tuesday morning and will be presented at 16:30 p.m. at the Rogerio Steinberg Auditorium in Gávea. Known for his skill, he will add a touch of quality to Flamengo's midfield, which is short on attacking players. In the last Brasileirão, Marcinho scored two goals and helped Galo secure a spot in the Copa Sudamericana.
Rodrigo, 27, has good technique but doesn't let his seriousness slip. He will arrive in Rio on Thursday, where he will undergo a medical and be presented. A product of Ponte Preta, he had his best moment in Brazil with São Paulo. For the past three seasons, the defender has played for Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine. He is expected to form a partnership with captain Fábio Luciano.
Vágner Love says he will one day play for Fla
CSKA striker once again revealed his love for Rubro-Negro
LANCEPRESS!
Brazilian national team striker Vágner Love reaffirmed his desire to one day play for Flamengo on Monday. A self-confessed Flamengo fan, the player, who currently plays for CSKA Moscow in Russia, made no secret of his childhood dream.
"It's not time for that to happen yet, as I have my career in Europe. But one day, I'll definitely play for Flamengo. It's a dream of mine and my family's," he said.
Vágner participated in a charity football match in Bonsucesso, a suburb of Rio de Janeiro, which was attended by Ibson, Denílson (five-time champion), Valdiram, Jô (ex-Corinthians), as well as some illustrious figures from MPB, such as Tony Garrido, lead singer of Cidade Negra.
Flamengo is still looking for a striker
Kléber Leite hopes to bring in a striker to complete the signing cycle
LANCEPRESS!
With midfielder Marcinho scheduled to be introduced this Tuesday, defender Rodrigo expected on Thursday, and midfielder Jonatas's negotiations well underway, Flamengo is almost finalizing its Christmas package for next season. According to vice president of football Kléber Leite, of coach Joel Santana's requests, the only player missing is one player for the attack.
- This is the situation we found and a new fact must be an attacker - said the director to Rádio Tupi.
Kléber Leite made a point of mentioning another reinforcement guaranteed for next season: midfielder Kleberson, who was signed in September of this year but will only be able to play starting February 1, 2008, due to a FIFA ban.
Fla: Junior confident for the Libertadores
Former player believes in a good campaign for Rubro-Negro in the tournament
LANCEPRESS!
Former player Júnior expressed optimism regarding Flamengo's performance in next year's Copa Libertadores. The Flamengo idol stated this Monday, during a charity match in Bonsucesso, a suburb of Rio de Janeiro, that he is confident in the team's strength to go far in the continental competition.
radio l! - The base was maintained, we brought in experienced players and we have a great chance of having a good campaign in the Libertadores - he said. (Click and listen)
Flamengo's new signings have Júnior excited not only for the Libertadores, but also for the Brasileirão. The former full-back believes that, with a well-assembled squad since the beginning of the year, the Gávea team has everything it needs to have a great season.
radio l! - With the signings for the Libertadores, you will automatically have a stronger team to compete in the Brazilian Championship - declared Júnior. (Click and listen)
Basketball: Fla debuts in the League of the Americas
Three-time Rio champions begin their journey in the international tournament\ CRAQUE DO FUTURO\
Flamengo's debut will be this Tuesday at 20 p.m. in Belo Horizonte against Minas Gerais. Flamengo coach Paulo Chupeta predicts a tough debut against the Minas Gerais team, who are playing at home and are on a strong run of results.
- Our debut is against Minas, a team that wore Fluminense's jersey in the Campeonato Carioca and that we beat with difficulty - highlighted the coach, remembering the victories by 91 to 86 and 97 to 75 against their rivals.
Chupeta, however, warns that his team has the ability to achieve another victory this season.
- The team is prepared and we're going all out to win and secure Flamengo's place in the next round - he highlighted.
Minas/Pitágoras manager Flávio Davis isn't far behind. According to him, his team is motivated and will strive for qualification, despite knowing the tournament will be tough.
"We expect very close matches, decided by the details. But we're motivated, we've prepared well, and we'll aim to qualify for the next round," he said.
Flamengo and Minas Gerais will play the opening match of Group C in the Liga das Américas next Tuesday at 20 p.m. at the Telemig Celular Arena in Belo Horizonte. Besides the Brazilians, the group also includes Boca Juniors from Argentina and Defensor Sporting from Uruguay.
Technical Data:
FLAMENGO/PETROBRAS x MINAS/PYTHAGORAS
Competition: Basketball League of the Americas\ Date: 18/12/2007 Time: 20:XNUMX PM\ Location: Arena Telemig, Belo Horizonte\
PYTHAGORAS MINES: Sucatzki, Soró, Márcio, Mãozão and André. Coach: Flávio Davis
FLAMENGO: Fred, Marcelinho, Amiel, Coloneze and Alírio. Coach: Paulo Chupeta