The Globe
Bruno's contract extension is signed
Argentine Maxi arrives for medical examinations and is expected to be presented this Monday
Flamengo fans may have good news tomorrow: goalkeeper Bruno, who twisted his right knee yesterday, but it's not a problem, has already signed a six-month contract extension and the club is just waiting for authorization from MSI, the group of investors that holds his rights, to register the new commitment with the CBF.
Flamengo, however, is contractually obligated to release him if an overseas club becomes interested. If he renews, he'll automatically be in the starting lineup against Atlético-MG on Wednesday at Mineirão.
One of the main obstacles to Bruno's move to Europe, which was MSI's preference, was the high contract renewal offer. By offering a salary high by Brazilian goalkeeper standards, Flamengo severely limited the number of potential suitors.
The matter had been dragging on, but in the early hours of Friday Uram had a practically definitive conversation with Kia Joorabchian, the all-powerful head of MSI and responsible for the group's contacts in South America.
"He's already signed the extension," said vice president of football Kleber Leite. "We just need MSI's OK to register the new contract."
Tomorrow, Argentine Maxi Biancucchi will undergo medical examinations and, if approved, will be formally presented as the newest signing for the season.
Sports Journal
Ney Franco blocks Claiton and Paulinho and gives a chance to Léo Lima, Toró, Léo Medeiros and Jaílton
Bruno Peirão and Leo Schabbach
Toró, challenged and without opportunity, returns to the team
Since the start of the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo's players have had no complaints about a lack of opportunities. In total, 21 players played in the team's first six matches in the competition, each earning the opportunity to compete for a starting spot. It's no surprise that the likely midfield for the match against Atlético-MG on the 4th at Mineirão will be made up of players who, until recently, were out of favor with the Flamengo squad.
Jaílton, Toró, Léo Medeiros, and Léo Lima were given the chance to showcase their potential in Flamengo's last game, against Internacional at Maracanã, and impressed coach Ney Franco. Although the sudden rise of these players means others, like Paulinho and Claiton, who have already had good moments with the team, are sidelined, this is seen as yet another reason for everyone to come to training motivated. After all, a chance to establish themselves in the starting lineup could present itself at any moment.
"On the field and in activities during the week, these players (Jaílton, Toró, Léo Medeiros, and Léo Lima) performed well. The tendency is to keep them as starters, even given the team's losses, such as Souza's suspension. In any case, this should serve as a warning to the other players. At Flamengo, positions are earned in training and through opportunities that arise in games. Therefore, those who are on the bench have been working hard to secure a spot in the starting lineup," explained Ney Franco.
And this healthy competition seems to really motivate the red-and-black players. Midfielder Léo Medeiros, for example, stated that the constant possibility of changes in the starting lineup makes training sessions much more exciting and enjoyable. "Off the field, we're all friends. But of course, we want to find our place on the team. This undoubtedly increases our motivation, and training sessions end up being much more enjoyable," he said.
Tribute — Today, striker Leonardo and defensive midfielder Paulinho will receive a tribute from Villa Nova president João Bosco Pessoa. Each athlete will receive a personalized Leão do Bonfim jersey, as the Nova Lima club is nicknamed. They will be honored for their time with the Minas Gerais club. Leonardo, in fact, was born in Nova Lima and began his career with the local club. After excelling at the Minas Gerais club, he was signed by Criciúma, Vitória, and Paraná before being signed by Flamengo.
Ney tests the team in a training match this Sunday
At 10 a.m. this Wednesday, Flamengo will play a training match against Villa Nova, from Nova Lima, at Toca da Raposa 2, and must decide on its starting lineup for the match against Atlético-MG on July 4th. Over the past few days, Ney Franco has been setting up his system with midfielder Renato in attack, paired with Leonardo, and putting Léo Lima, whose contract was renewed last Friday, in charge of organizing plays.
This is expected to be the starting lineup against Villa Nova. Neymar will take advantage of the training match to get the team up to speed and improve player chemistry. Although this opponent is not well-known in Brazilian football, Flamengo has faced them seven times and lost 2-0 in 1929.
Villa Nova is preparing for the Brazilian Serie C, which will debut against Madureira on the 7th, and will also participate in a training match to improve its performance. Therefore, the training session is expected to be highly competitive and should be useful for testing this new red-and-black formation.
Flamengo's team should be formed by Bruno; Léo Moura, Irineu, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Jaílton, Toró, Léo Medeiros and Léo Lima; Renato and Leonardo.
Club signs young internet star
Flamengo's board has decided to innovate in its attempt to acquire new stars. After a few DVD signings, the internet has now been used to arrange the arrival of 15-year-old Maycon Santana for a trial period in Rio de Janeiro. If accepted by the club, he could join the club's youth academy.
Maycon played for Adustinense FC, from Adustina, a Bahian town near Salvador, and was spotted up close by the club's youth coach, Adílio, and its fundraising director, Flávio Pereira. Several Flamengo fans on social media platforms requested Maycon's signing after watching a video of him controlling and juggling the ball, then kicking ass in a pick-up game with other kids his age.
If Flamengo previously produced stars at home, it now uses the world wide web to try to discover new talent.
Fla continues interested in Ibson
This Friday, vice president of football Kleber Leite stated that Flamengo's interest in midfielder Ibson remains. However, the situation remains the same as a month ago. Despite the club's desire to bring him in, the fact that the European market is still interested in him makes his signing very difficult.
If Ibson shows a desire to return to Gávea, Flamengo will spare no effort to bring him back.
Marcos de Castro
Bath-in-Cuia
The Little Engine
Marcos de Castro castro@jsports.com.br
The inauguration yesterday of Rio's magnificent new sports arena, the Engenho de Dentro stadium, showed that a local classic, like the Botafogo vs. Fluminense match that marked the opening ceremony, could never be held there, especially if both clubs are, as the protagonists of the opening party are, going through a good technical phase.
I don't know if the stadium can hold the 45 people it was built for. It seems like it only holds 40 for now. But even 45 is a very small number of paying spectators for a local derby. The lines to exchange powdered milk cans for tickets on Tuesday already showed demand far exceeding the supply. Botafogo vs. Fluminense, one at the top of the Brazilian league table (at least at the time of ticket sales), the other vying for a spot among the top, is a derby for a good 80 to 90 people.
In short: local classics cannot leave the Maracanã, which, ready to go, after the renovations for the Pan American Games, will be able to hold 95 people, according to widespread reports during construction. In other words, it will once again be the largest stadium in the world (I don't believe there are stadiums with 100 or more seats anywhere in the world today, in the age of television).
Bottom line: Engenho de Dentro Stadium has been called Engenhão inappropriately. It doesn't deserve the augmentative, which would only be appropriate if the wonderful gift the Rio de Janeiro residents received yesterday rivaled the Maracanã in size. But it's far from that. What's clear is that it will be a piece of cake for a Flamengo vs. Juventude match, for example, or a Botafogo vs. América de Natal match. It's no good for a match between two of the city's biggest clubs, especially if both are in exuberant form, as was the case yesterday.
Long live the new stadium!—that's what the city should be shouting, of course. The Maracanã, the world's cathedral of soccer, will remain the sole stage for major spectacles. But, undoubtedly, brought by the Pan American Games and delivered beautifully gift-wrapped, the Engenhinho (that's better) ushers in a new era for the city's soccer. Good news!
O Dia
Toró regains the coach's confidence and his place at Flamengo
Martha Esteves
Rio - At the beginning of his career, the sky was the limit for Toró. Early on, he was touted as a future star at Xerém, when he played in Fluminense's youth academy. The promise didn't materialize for the midfielder, who arrived at Flamengo last year hoping for a comeback. At 21, Toró has weathered a few minor storms and hopes to score a flurry of goals for the red-and-black team to establish himself.
The first battle he won was against the scale. It was clear that Toró was out of shape, with a high percentage of body fat.
With a clear conscience, he shut his mouth, started training with more energy, and ended up earning the trust of coach Ney Franco and a spot in the team's midfield. "The scale has helped now. Before, I ate a lot of junk food at home because I was anxious. Now, I'm fine and eager to show my true colors," the player celebrates.
Toró, who recently got married, believes he's reached maturity after overcoming so many challenges. Until recently, he wasn't even a regular on Flamengo's bench.
Rumors suggested he wasn't traded only because of his high salary. Toró denies this. "My name was never on any list. But I admit I wasn't in good physical shape, and that ended up affecting my performance. But it's all in the past," he says with relief.
With his spirits high and his confidence restored, he's betting that he'll finally be seen as the talented player he was born to be. His dream is to become a fan favorite. "I'm working hard to shine in the Flamengo jersey," he emphasizes.
Sports Gazette
Flamengo coach believes in a good streak away from home
Belo Horizonte (MG) - Despite the marathon away from home that will be played over the next eight rounds of the Brazilian Championship, due to the closure of the Maracanã, Flamengo coach Ney Franco believes the team will be able to maintain its competitive pace even away from home. The first match away from Rio de Janeiro will be against Atlético-MG this Tuesday. "We're learning to use the positives of this training period in Belo Horizonte. It's time to review what's working and what's not. I know it's going to be tough, but it will be our first step in the competition," guarantees the Flamengo manager, who only held one physical training session with the Flamengo squad this Saturday.
The Gávea team is in a difficult situation in the Brasileirão, currently in 18th place. After facing the Minas Gerais club, the Rio de Janeiro team travels to play São Paulo, Grêmio, Corinthians, Santos, and Atlético-PR. The matches against Paraná and América-RN are scheduled for Uberlândia and Juiz de Fora, but Flamengo is the home team.
BalloonSport
Márcio Braga goes by train to Engenhão
Flamengo president described travel conditions to the stadium as 'excellent' Flamengo president Márcio Braga took the train to Engenhão this Saturday to test the operation of public transportation for fans to the stadium. He took the subway at Cantagalo station in Copacabana, got off at Central do Brasil, and boarded a train to the venue for the derby between Fluminense and Botafogo.
The red-black director was enthusiastic about the organization and policing of the fans' movement.
- The scheme is perfect, the conditions are excellent - he told the newspaper "Extra".
Leo Moura says the stop was good
The red-and-black right-back trains to shine again in the Brasileirão
Right-back Leonardo Moura returned to ball training this Friday, on the Flamengo team's first day of activities at Toca da Raposa 2, Cruzeiro's training center, in Belo Horizonte.
The player, who was suffering from muscle discomfort, enjoyed the period of time to get back into shape.
"This training period is good for me, to get back to feeling confident. Getting back to playing well is my goal," says the player, who preferred to rest his game to avoid problems for Wednesday's game.
- I didn't kick the ball much in training, but I was able to move normally. Since the game isn't until Wednesday, there's no need to force it.
Irineu feels at home at Toca
Defender, who is a product of Cruzeiro, trains with his teammates
Flamengo arrived in Belo Horizonte this Friday, where they will train at Toca da Raposa 2, Cruzeiro's training center. And defender Irineu, one of coach Ney Franco's favorites, is feeling right at home during Flamengo's training camp in the capital of Minas Gerais.
"I was raised here at Toca, and I have complete respect for it. It's where I started and where doors opened for me," says the player, who joined the Gávea club this year.
Fellype Gabriel signs with Nacional-POR
Midfielder who belongs to Flamengo, but was at Cruzeiro, is on loan for a year\ Eduardo Peixoto\
Fellype Gabriel is leaving Cruzeiro
Midfielder Fellype Gabriel has signed with Nacional, a club from Madeira Island, Portugal, on loan for one year, until June 2008. The player, who was on loan to Cruzeiro, but has a contract with Flamengo until 2009, will go to the Portuguese club at no cost, which has the right to purchase 50% of the athlete's federation rights.
Nacional director Rui Alves is still in Brazil searching for new signings. With Fellype Gabriel's departure from Cruzeiro, the Minas Gerais club's intention to reduce its squad is confirmed. The player wasn't even named in the squad to face Vasco da Gama this Saturday at Mineirão.
Throw
Maradona: 'In Brazil, I'm Flamengo for Zico'
In an interview with exclusive excerpts, 'Pibe' reveals that he once supported the National Team
Thiago Asmar
A very special fan celebrated Argentina's 4-1 victory over the United States in the team's Copa América debut last Thursday. Diego Maradona was in attendance at the Pachencho Romero Stadium in Maracaibo and cheered every Argentine goal.
After the match, Argentina's greatest soccer idol gave a press conference at his hotel at 1 a.m. (Brasília time). LANCE!, however, went further and spoke exclusively with the idol for a few minutes.
Even after the controversy surrounding an advertisement in which he wore the Brazilian national team jersey, Maradona showed his personality and admitted that he had supported Brazil many times. He also made it clear that, in our country, he is a red-and-black.
LANCE!: You appeared in an advertisement wearing the Brazilian national team jersey, which caused controversy in Argentina. Did Maradona ever support Brazil?
MARADONA: Of course, many times. When Brazilians play against teams from other continents, I root for them. Besides being Argentine, I'm also South American. I've rooted for Brazil when Argentina depended on the outcome of the match.
L!: Speaking of Brazilian football, do you support any Brazilian clubs?
M: In Brazil, I'm a Flamengo fan because of Zico and that brilliant team from the 80s. I also like Flamengo because, like my Boca Juniors, it has a fanatical fan base that supports the team.
L!: What did you think of Flamengo in this year's Libertadores?
M: I was hoping to see a game between Flamengo and Boca Juniors, but it didn't happen. They would have been two beautiful spectacles. One at La Bombonera and the other at Maracanã. However, I can't complain: my favorite team was the champion.
L!: Some friends who are with you here in Venezuela told me about your sympathy for Corinthians...
M: I grew fond of him because I watched the games during Tevez's time. I like Tevez and will always root for him.
L!: Some players were once considered candidates to succeed Maradona on the national team. However, they didn't perform as expected. Riquelme and Ortega are examples. Now, Messi is emerging as the man. Do you believe the Barcelona forward can make it?
M: I don't like comparisons. Messi is Messi, Maradona is Maradona. But I believe he has the potential to become a great Argentine idol. Maybe even more so than me. We have to give Messi time.
L!: What is your opinion on Ronaldinho and Kaká's requests to be exempt from the Copa América?
M: If they asked to stay out of the competition, they must have their reasons. Of course, both I and all football fans would like to see them, but we have to respect each other's stance.
L!: What do you talk to Pelé about when you meet him, about the comparison between the two of you?
M: I say I was better than him. He told me I was better and I agreed (laughs).
L!: What do you have to say about Brazil's debut in the Copa América?
M: I was surprised by Brazil's loss, just as I was surprised by Paraguay's 5-0 thrashing of Colombia. But the Copa América qualifies the second-place teams and the two best third-place teams.
L!: Will you visit the Argentines at the hotel where they are staying?
M: There is no need (NR: Maradona had problems with Argentina coach Alfio Basile when he left Boca).
L!: What would your starting lineup be if you were in Basile's place?
M: The same one who beat the USA
L!: What do you think about the future? How is your health?
M: Today, I have commitments with showbol. After the Copa América, the other old guys and I will have matches in Spain, Saudi Arabia, and China. My health is already very good.
L!: What advice would you give to children who dream of playing soccer? Are you a role model for children?
M: Play with passion to get there one day. As for setting an example, I'm not the one who has to be an example for children. Their parents are. If I make mistakes and a young person makes the same mistake later, it's not my fault.
L!: And in the political arena? How do you see Chávez and Fidel?
M: We are all equal. We want the same thing (Fidel Castro, president of Cuba, and Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela, advocate socialism).
L!: What do you have to say about FIFA's altitude limit for holding official matches?
M: The officials are crazy. Cities with altitudes above three thousand meters didn't choose their geographic locations. They should have the right to play at home, as they always have. The idea is absurd.
Fla's boss goes by train to Engenhão
Marcio Braga, president of Flamengo, approved services for the new stadium
LANCEPRESS!
Flamengo president Marcio Braga starred in another of his colorful episodes. The director attended the inauguration of the Engenhão stadium this Saturday by public transportation. First, he took the subway from Cantagalo Station in Copacabana. Then, to test the integrated service, he got off at Central do Brasil and boarded a train to the stadium.
- The scheme is perfect, the conditions are excellent - said the director upon arriving in Engenho de Dentro to watch the classic between Fluminense and Botafogo.
In addition to transportation, Marcio also approved the organization and policing of the fans' transportation. He was the only club president to attend the Engenhão's inauguration ceremony, alongside federal, state, municipal, and Co-Rio officials.
Earlier in the morning, Marcio Braga attended the reopening of Maracanãzinho Stadium. The stadium hosted a volleyball match between the Brazilian and Serbian women's teams.
Ney has work to do to correct Fla's mistakes
Coach stopped training several times to adjust the team\ LANCEPRESS!\
Flamengo players held a technical-tactical training session this Saturday afternoon at Toca da Raposa 2 in Belo Horizonte. Coach Ney Franco struggled to correct the starting lineup's errors, particularly Léo Lima's passing. He stopped the session several times to adjust the team's play.
In the end, the match ended in a 1-1 draw after about 50 minutes of practice. Clayton, capitalizing on a play by Souza, scored the substitutes' goal. Striker Leonardo equalized for the starters.
Maxi will be presented this Monday in Gávea\ Argentine striker is Fla's new reinforcement for the season\ LANCEPRESS!\
Argentine forward Maximiliano Biancucchi's presentation will take place this Monday at 16:30 p.m. at Flamengo's headquarters in Gávea. The reception for the new Flamengo signing will take place immediately after he undergoes a medical examination in the morning and signs his contract.
Flamengo acquired 50% of Maxi's economic and federative rights. Initially, the Argentine will stay at Gávea for four seasons. Maximiliano is the cousin of Barcelona striker Lionel Messi.
Ibson's father wants his son to return to Brazil
Prosecutor working on the case and Fla awaits a decision
Rafael Ximenes and Rodrigo Benchimol
There's already a more favorable atmosphere surrounding Flamengo's signing of midfielder Ibson. The player's family, agent Eduardo Uram, and Flamengo's board are more confident of a successful outcome.
When contacted by LANCENET!, Ibson's father, Lais Silva, said the following about his son's possible return to the club that revealed him:
"He would be the happiest man in the world if that happened, and so would our family. But it doesn't just depend on him," he said.
Ibson, who married Cíntia on the 22nd of this month, is on his honeymoon in Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro, and his wife is pregnant with a boy. The family is interested in returning to Brazil at this time.
"Can you imagine how wonderful it would be for him to return to Brazil, especially with his wife pregnant with a boy? You have no idea how much we've been waiting for news about Uram," he said, confident and expectant.
Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, is just waiting for the green light from the Portuguese club to make an official offer.
– If possible, Fla will take action to get the player.
But we need patience to handle this matter. We've already expressed our interest, but everything in life is a matter of opportunity, and Porto has other alternatives," he stated.
Despite not being used by the coach, Porto intends to renew the athlete's contract for another year, as he will certainly be loaned out this year.
"There's no chance he'll play there this year, but Porto wants to renew his contract. It would be a good idea (to return to Flamengo), as his chances for the national team would increase," said Uram.