THE GLOBE

Porto fears rival Benfica will make Flamengo a bridge to secure Ibson \ Portuguese must make demands to negotiate the supporter's future \ Photo caption: IBSON RI during Flamengo training: the player's future should only be defined after the end of the loan \ Frederico Soares \ Flamengo's first attempt to purchase the economic rights of midfielder Ibson fell far short of the target. The offer fell well short of the R$13 million demanded by the Portuguese club: the Flamengo board hinted at the possibility of paying around R$7 million, even then in installments. \ But it wasn't just the low offer that made Porto shy away from Flamengo's proposal. Indeed, the Portuguese club's management fears that a possible sale of Ibson to Brazilian football, whether to Flamengo or São Paulo, is the alleged interest of their main rival: Benfica. \ According to the newspaper "Diário de Notícias", one of the most reputable in Portugal, Porto directors received information that Benfica would be a partner of one of the Brazilian clubs interested in acquiring the midfielder. \ Concerned, Porto's management commissioned its legal department to conduct a study to establish, in the event of a possible sale, a clause that would prevent Ibson from being transferred to any other Portuguese club, for at least four years. \ The Portuguese team's directors have also begun to sound out other European clubs to see if they could use Ibson as a bargaining chip for another deal. \ While waiting for the end of negotiations, Ibson remains linked to Flamengo, as his loan only ends on July 4, 2009. Officially, the Flamengo board says that it will only negotiate the midfielder's stay after the end of the loan. \ () From Extra \

THE DAY

Kléber Leite holds Josiel at Fla \ Rio - Striker Josiel was considered for the club, but vice president of football Kléber Leite decided to give him another chance. "He has a contract until the end of July and will stay with us in 2009," said the director. \

SPORTS GAZETTE

Vandinho will not move from Gávea to Laranjeiras\ Gazeta Press\

Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro) - Fluminense's interest in striker Vandinho did not move Flamengo's directors. Flamengo's vice president of football, Kleber Leite, ruled out any chance of the former gunner Avaí's transfer to the Laranjeiras club. Luiz Alberto, the player's agent, said he only heard about Fluminense's interest through news reports.

Alberto said Vandinho has offers from other clubs in Brazil and abroad, but no one from Fluminense has approached him. He plans to speak with Flamengo's board after the holiday season to find out if there is any real interest in keeping Vandinho or if player will be released to seek another destination.

Free - Midfielder Fellype Gabriel, who was discovered by Flamengo's youth academy and played in the last Brazilian Championship for Portuguesa, has terminated his contract with the red-black club and is studying some proposals, both from clubs in Series A and Series B.

PELENET

Ibson and Jônatas will leave Fla in the middle of the year

From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\

Despite the few losses to the team following the end of the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo's board is already fully aware that it will lose two players. Midfielder Jônatas, who plays for Espanyol in Spain, and midfielder Ibson, who plays for Porto in Portugal, will leave Gávea midway through the 2009 season. Flamengo's board is already working with the idea that both players will leave regardless.

Jônatas, who was rarely used by then-coach Caio Jr., is considered a costly player to be left on the bench. Furthermore, he only stayed out at the end of the year due to the high number of foreign players at the Spanish club. His name was a given on the boat that left Gávea right after the Brasileirão. \ Regarding Ibson, the situation is quite different. Flamengo even wanted to keep the athlete permanently, especially after São Paulo's interest in the deal, which hinted at the possibility. However, due to Porto's high asking price, the purchase is practically impossible.\ The midfielder, who scored 11 goals for Flamengo in the national competition, will have his loan contract terminated in mid-2009. Just like left-back Leandro, who was at Palmeiras, he also would not like to have to return to the Portuguese club. \

Season begins with more than half of the clubs without sponsorship

Thales Callippus\ In Sao Paulo\

The year 2008 began with most teams celebrating their newly signed deals, which were significantly higher than the previous season. The global economic crisis, however, slowed the momentum of executives, cooled negotiations with companies, and created a climate of uncertainty. The result is that, on this first day of 2009, 12 of the 20 clubs competing in the Brazilian Championship's Série A do not have a master sponsor.

Corinthians, for example, which boasted the most valuable contract last year, has yet to find a replacement for Medial Saúde. The club dreamed of jumping from R$16,5 million to around R$25 million. Given the current economic climate, however, a R$22 million offer should be readily accepted by the club's board.\ The new figure sought by Corinthians would also serve as a boost for São Paulo. After setting a sponsorship target of R$30 million, the club saw talks with companies like Samsung, AOC, and Phillips dwindle. Emirates Airlines and LG are still in the running, but as the figures weren't satisfactory, the Morumbi club is starting the year with a "clean" jersey.\ "During the Paulista Championship, we will talk to LG itself and seek another balanced negotiation. We have criteria and we will not deviate from them. We cannot be held hostage to a situation that is not good," explained Julio Casares, vice president of communications and marketing for the club, referring to the low amount offered to the club.\ Like São Paulo, Palmeiras and Cruzeiro, who will compete in this year's Copa Libertadores, are also without a strong partner. Another commonality is that Fiat sponsored both clubs. However, the automaker is expected to be replaced by Samsung on the São Paulo team's jersey, while the Minas Gerais team is still negotiating to move the company's branding from the sleeves to the chest of the Celeste uniform.\ Flamengo, which had the second-largest sponsorship in Brazilian soccer in 2008, still has a cushion compared to the vast majority. Its R$16,2 million contract with Petrobras ends in January. Besides having a month more than 12 competitors, the Rio de Janeiro team has also practically agreed to a renewal with the state-owned company, after a turbulent period of negotiations. Even so, instead of the nearly R$21 million expected, the red-and-black team will receive just over R$18 million.\ On the other hand, some clubs are celebrating having contracts in place, even with the economic crisis. Santos, for example, signed a lucrative two-year deal with Semp Toshiba in late 2007, when the club had already secured a spot in the Copa Libertadores. Thus, even with a disappointing 2008 campaign, the team won't have any problems with sponsorship revenue.\ Similarly, two clubs that were promoted from Série B can also be proud to be among the select group of teams that already have a main sponsor. Both Avaí and Grêmio Barueri continue to have contracts with Pauta Distribuidora and Embratel, respectively, the same companies that printed their shirts in 2008. \

Striker Josiel will remain at Flamengo

From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\

Without having justified his signing for the last Brazilian Championship, striker Josiel will be kept in Flamengo's squad for 2009. The player arrived at Gávea with the responsibility of solving the problem of the lack of goals, but he didn't even come close to being close to the shadow of the killer who played for Paraná in 2007.

After arriving in Rio de Janeiro in August, Josiel appeared on five occasions for the Red-Blacks. Even so, he failed to find the back of the net once. As if his drought weren't enough, the player's performances were dismal and even sparked the ire of some fans when he took the field in the Brasileirão.\ After his poor and lackluster performance, the club's coaching staff was expected to release the player. However, according to Flamengo's vice president of football, Kleber Leite, he emphasized that the striker will remain at Gávea until the end of his contract, which runs until mid-2009.\ But with the arrival of coach Cuca, who has a good track record of recovering players who are in bad phases or have been sidelined, the board is betting on a good preseason so that Josiel can finally show that he hasn't forgotten how to score goals. \

GLOBOESPORTE

Kleber Leite justifies Josiel's poor performance at Fla

Manager bets on the striker's success in 2009 after completing pre-season training with his teammates

GLOBOESPORTE.COM Rio de Janeiro

Josiel has not yet scored with the Fla shirt

Striker Josiel arrived at Flamengo to compete in the Brazilian Championship with the status of the top scorer in the last edition of the tournament with 20 goals, but ended up failing to find the net and frustrating the fans. For the club's vice president of football, Kleber Leite, bringing the player from the Arab world in mid-season was a mistake, since the competitive pace he was used to facing was very different. \ The manager is betting that Josiel will be able to find his best form again after going through the entire pre-season process with the rest of the team. \ "Regarding Josiel, it was a mistake we won't make again. He came from the Arab world, where there's little training and little playing. When he arrived, he was completely out of it, below par. He needs to come and do preseason training. It was our mistake. He didn't perform because of him," he said in an interview with Rádio Globo. \

Kleber Leite expressed optimism when looking ahead to next year. He promised a more united team, a candidate to win every competition it competes in in 2009. \ "A competitive, more focused, more united team. The outlook is for a good year. You can be sure that Flamengo will be strong; we're contenders for anything in 2009," he warned. \ The Fla squad will return on the 7th in Gávea, and then, on the 10th, will head to Granja Comary, in Teresópolis, where they will carry out the pre-season.\

2009 PREDICTIONS: No prospect of titles for Rio de Janeiro; Vasco returns to the elite

Numerology and tarot cards point to Flamengo and Botafogo as Rio's highlights for the next season

João Gabriel Rodrigues Rio de Janeiro

Without a major title since winning the Copa do Brasil by Fluminense in 2007, and seeing São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul clubs dominate the national scene in recent years, Rio de Janeiro teams are hoping for a comeback in 2009. But, if predictions are anything to go by, fans will face another lackluster season with no titles. According to numerologist Bosco Viegas and tarot reader Adriana Kastrup, it won't be now that Botafogo, Flamengo, Vasco and Tricolor will regain its former prestige. \ Adriana Kastrup is betting on Botafogo and Fla as the highlights of Rio in 2009, while Bosco believes that Vasco will turn things around in Série B and end the year with good morale for the 2010 season. \ - In Rio de Janeiro football, I liked the Botafogo and Flamengo games the most. Flamengo plays a more efficient game, but Botafogo plays an easier, more relaxed game. Things will go smoothly; whatever they set out to do, they will do. I don't know if they'll win, but of the teams, they're the ones with the best performance. \

Botafogo

Both the numbers and the tarot cards point to a good season for the General Severiano team. The arrival of new talent and the change in management should benefit the Alvinegro, which, according to predictions, will once again play well and have the full support of its fans, unlike in 2008, when there were a series of disagreements throughout the year. For Adriana, Botafogo will be the biggest surprise of 2009, although it is still far from winning.

Coach Ney Franco tries for his first title in charge of Botafogo in 2009

"I think Botafogo, with this game, is off to a bit of a shaky start, but it's picking up. I don't see the team making a fool of itself throughout the year. On the contrary, it's looking good for the State Championship. It's not a game for first place, but it's a game for a good position. They could even make it to the final. But if they get there, they'll lose. They won't win anything in the Brazilian Championship, but they won't be relegated either. They'll stay in the middle or top. Furthermore, they'll have a very similar performance in the Carioca and the South American Championship. Good, but not enough for first place. It's going to be a good year for Botafogo. It seems like the board will figure this out and win people over. It's a game to win back the fans. Botafogo is doing well in the Copa do Brasil. It's not a game to win, but it's very good. They could go beyond what people expect. It's as if they're meeting expectations." \ Bosco goes further, predicting an even better year in numbers than in the cards. The numerologist is betting on a roster renewal and guarantees that the new board will be successful at the club. \ Botafogo has amazing numbers this year. I think the club will kick ass. New players will be brought in, especially young ones. The board will be trying to bring the club back into harmony. So, it's coming on strong. It's going to be a great year for Botafogo. \

Flamengo

When making predictions for Flamengo in 2009, Bosco saw many similarities with Fluminense's performance. He even bet on a union between the clubs later in the year, which would increase their strength in the championships. However, he believes Flamengo will emerge even stronger than Tricolor.

Marcelinho Paraíba and Ibson are two of Flamengo's biggest stars in 2009.

Flamengo is coming in very strong this year. The club's name itself comes from flame, from fire. This means the club is very energized this year, because the team that will join will be Jupiter with Mars. So, whoever has something connected to fire will enter with great force. \ Adriana Kastrup sees a slightly more complicated year in the tarot cards, although she also believes the club's strength in 2009 is high. She believes that some problems in certain competitions will hinder Flamengo's plans. Despite this, she guarantees that at least one title will go to the club. \ Flamengo's performance is wonderful. They'll win at least one title. They have everything they need to win the Carioca Championship. If they don't, they'll go to the final. But if they do, it's a difficult combination; there could be own goals and confusion. It'll be a game they have everything they need to win, but it won't be easy. \ In other competitions, she bets on problems for Rubro-Negro. \ "They won't win in the Copa do Brasil. They look like they'll play well, but it won't be easy, it'll be a lot of effort, a lot of confusion. It won't go very well for Flamengo. In the Brasileirão, they won't win. They'll be in the middle or top, but with no chance of winning the title. It's a somewhat tight game. They might win some matches, but lose or draw many others. The players aren't performing. It won't be bad, but I doubt they'll win. In the South American, they won't do anything. They might even qualify decently, but I didn't think it was a good game. They might not do badly, but it feels like they're going to miss out." \

Fluminense

After a 2008 that went from heaven to hell with the loss of the Libertadores title and the fight against relegation in the Brazilian Championship, fans can expect a quiet year for the Laranjeiras team. Although they shouldn't be fighting for titles, according to numerology and predictions, the Tricolor will come out strong.

Luiz Alberto is one of the remaining members of the Flu team that suffered last season

"Fluminense's performance isn't bad, the game is good. It's going to be a better year than 2008. It's a game to perform, but not to win anything. In the Campeonato Carioca, Fluminense is doing well, but they're not winning. The same goes for the Brazilian Championship. But in the South American Championship, things are going worse. They could be ranked poorly, have problems. It's not good. In the Copa do Brasil, the team is doing well, but nothing special, without much shine," says tarot reader Adriana Kastrup. \ Numerologist Bosco Viegas is betting on the harmony between Fluminense and its arch-rival Flamengo for next year. \ Fluminense enters 2009 with the same number as Flamengo: 33. It's a strong, appealing number; it's even likely there will be a connection between the two throughout the year. I see both teams as having a lot of power, deeply connected to their fans. If the fans support their teams, they have everything they need to do very well. \

Vasco

If Vasco fans are hoping for a renaissance year for the club in 2009, predictions show that's exactly what will happen. But with patience and patience. According to numerology and tarot, the São Januário team will have a difficult start to the year, but will recover in time to achieve its dream return to the Brazilian Championship's top flight in 2010.

Dorival should do Vasco good in 2009

"It's not going very well in the Carioca Championship. It's not a horrible game like in 2008, but it's not good. Vasco is a team with a strong fan base, with a strong presence in Rio. And this game doesn't allow them to flow very well. In the Copa do Brasil, they're doing so-so. It's not a great game, and they won't make it to the final. In Série B, they'll win. I don't know if they'll win first place, but they'll qualify for the top four. And they'll come back strong, with good morale," Adriana predicts. \ For Bosco, the main motivation for the rebirth of the Cruzmaltina team is the arrival of new coach Dorival Júnior at the club. \ "I think Vasco will lift its head in 2009, it will rise from the grave. There will be some innovation, a renewal, a very strong change in the team that will lead to this. The change in coach will also be very good; it will allow the club to return to what it once was."\

Federation announces days and times of Guanabara Cup games

The first round of the Campeonato Carioca will not have matches on Carnival Sunday, in response to a request from the Military Police.

GLOBOESPORTE.COM Rio de Janeiro

The Rio de Janeiro Football Federation (FEF) released a detailed schedule on its official website with the dates and times of the Guanabara Cup matches, the first round of the Rio de Janeiro State Championship. The Rio de Janeiro Football Federation (FERJ) announced that, under the guidance of the Military Police, there will be no match on February 22, Carnival Sunday. The semifinals will take place on the 21st and 25th, both at the Maracanã stadium.

The champion of the Guanabara Cup will automatically qualify for the final of the Campeonato Carioca, which will take place in two matches, scheduled for April 26th and May 3rd.

Group A is made up of Vasco, Fluminense, Madureira, Resende, Cabofriense, Duque de Caxias, Americano and Tigres. Group B has Botafogo, Flamengo, Bangu, Macaé, Friburguense, Boavista, Volta Redonda and Mesquita.

Douglas hopes to be the shadow of Ronaldo Angelim and Fábio Luciano

Defender, who came from Santo André, wants to quickly gain a place in the group

GLOBOESPORTE.COM Rio de Janeiro

Douglas was Fla's first reinforcement for 2009

Signed from Santo André, defender Douglas hopes to quickly gain the trust of coach Cuca. He knows that Fábio Luciano and Rogério Angelim are the club's first-choice defenders. But he expects to become a shadow over them, especially after the departures of Dininho and Leonardo, who were reserves. \ - I expect to do a good job in Flamengo"The important thing is to be in the group, and I'll fight for a chance. Flamengo is different from everything else, but I won't have any problems," Douglas said in an interview with Rádio Brasil. \ The defender, who excelled with Santo André in Serie B, has signed a one-year contract. At 23 years old and having also played for Atlético-PR, Paulista and Joinville, Douglas points out its main characteristic. \ - I consider myself a fast defender, faster than normal - he concluded.\ In addition to Douglas, Flamengo will have Fabrício, who was on loan to Paraná, and Tiago Sales, who came from the youth teams, as options for defense.\

THROW

Juan has a great chance of continuing

Vice President of Football and the player's agent believe he will stay

LANCEPRESS!

A constant target of European clubs over the past two years, left-back Juan has everything he needs to stay at Flamengo for 2009 and survive another transfer window to Europe. The player's continued presence at Flamengo is considered a given by vice-president of football Kléber Leite and Eduardo Uram, the player's agent.

The once-imminent possibility of losing Juan no longer looms large, which lessens the concern of the red-and-black fans. They're aware of this player's importance to the team.

According to businessman Eduardo Uram, no other club has made an offer for Juan. Even if one were to emerge, it would be carefully evaluated, as the player's contract with Flamengo runs until the end of 2010, and the expectation now is that he will fulfill it in full.

"Juan has a contract with Flamengo. Why do people always ask me if he's leaving? They even invented an approach from Villarreal (ESP) that never happened. They also mentioned Chelsea, which has two left-backs from the English national team and doesn't need another. It seems like they want Juan to leave Flamengo no matter what," Uram vented.

Kléber Leite also demonstrated complete confidence in keeping Juan at Gávea:

"We have a contract with Juan until 2010, and I'm sure he'll stay at the club. I'm not too worried about that." Despite the temporary lull, Juan was very close to leaving Flamengo in mid-2007. However, he chose to turn down a good offer from Almería (ESP).

One of the main victims of the period of negotiations with foreign football in the middle of this year - it lost Marcinho, Souza and Renato Augusto -, Flamengo seems to be taking the necessary precautions to keep its main players in 2009. So far, of the starters, only Jaílton has left the club, heading to Fluminense.

See Juan's numbers in the 2008 Brasileirão

The full-back was one of Flamengo's main weapons in 2008

LANCEPRESS! Juan was important to Flamengo throughout the year. But in the Brazilian Championship, the full-back was even more important, as he was the team's main offensive weapon alongside Léo Moura. \ And his performance on the field demonstrates his importance. Juan was considered the best full-back in the Brazilian Championship and could attract European clubs' attention when the European transfer window opens in January. \ See below Juan's numbers in the 33 matches he played in the Brazilian Championship, according to the LANCENET!/Footstats survey. \ Goals - 4 \ Assists - 9 \ Crosses - 196 (21,9% correct) \ Dribbling - 97 \ Finishes - 58 (18 correct) \ Passes - 1.501 (1.305 correct) \ Fouls received - 122 \ Fouls committed - 60 \ Penalties received - 4 \ Penalties committed - 1 \ Disarms - 137 \ Ball possession - 2'07'' per game \ Yellow cards - 10\

Flamengo will lose players in the middle of the year

Ibson and Jônatas are names considered certain to leave

LANCEPRESS!

Flamengo fans' concerns have been put to rest. While the club is expected to retain its key players for the first half of 2009, the situation will be different for the second half. The departures of Ibson and Jônatas are practically certain.

Ibson, who was Flamengo's top scorer in the last Brazilian Championship with 11 goals, will have his loan contract terminated mid-year and will automatically return to Porto (POR), the club that holds his federation rights. Flamengo has even hinted at the possibility of buying the player, but that is unlikely to happen due to the high price.

Jônatas's case is more defined. Initially, the midfielder was even on the release list, but he will remain at Gávea until July, when he must report to Espanyol (ESP). Due to the excessive number of foreign players, he was unable to return to the Catalan club this time.

Striker Josiel is another player whose contract with Flamengo will end in the middle of the year.