THE GLOBE
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Fla\ fights not to lose players or austerity
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Club tries to keep expenses down despite the increase in the value of the squad
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Whenever Flamengo has been Brazilian champion, it has had to sell players or go beyond budget limits to maintain and strengthen its squad. This time, however, the club's board wants to maintain its core without significantly changing expenses. The first sign that the sixth championship hasn't inflated salaries came from the rigorous negotiations to keep coach Andrade. To give raises to those who have improved, there will be cuts at the other end of the squad.
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- We're going to have to cut people from the squad. Our idea is to maintain the 2009 values, which is already a saving given the team's appreciation after the victory - said vice-president of football Marcos Braz, willing to change a perverse red-and-black tradition. - After the previous victories, when the club didn't lose its austerity, it lost players.
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Club wants to use Obina or make money from its sale
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In addition to Obina, the club will have back full-back Egídio, forward Paulo Sério, and midfielder Léo Medeiros, who were on loan but have contracts with Flamengo. In the case of Obina, the club will no longer loan him out. Since the forward has one year left on his contract, there is still the possibility of selling his economic rights, which would not be possible at the end of the season, when Obina would be eligible to leave for free. For the same reason, Zé Roberto will report to Schalke 04, who will only agree to a permanent deal. Palmeiras is also clinging to the remaining six months of Vágner Love's loan to release him in exchange for a premium. Flamengo has already ruled out a trade for Éverton, who is expected to renew his contract with the red-and-black club today.
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THE DAY
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Vágner Love further away from Flamengo
\ \Top scorer shows irritation with difficulties imposed by Palmeiras for him to play for Fla
\ \BY THALES SOARES
\ \Rio - If it's up to Palmeiras' directors, Vágner Love will play the first half of 2010 wearing the Verdão shirt, and the striker's dream of playing for Flamengo will be postponed again. Yesterday, the player took part in a pick-up game organized by Marcelinho Carioca in Sulacap, Rio, and he no longer looked so calm.
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When discussing his desire to move next year, he expressed his dissatisfaction with the soap opera his future has become. To make matters worse, he became even more irritated when discussing the stance of Palmeiras' management. The president of the São Paulo club, Luiz Gonzaga Belluzzo, even said that there would be no point in the player forcing his departure, as he would only agree to sign his release if he received some compensation, whether financial or another player.
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"Let him talk," Vágner Love said. "What I know is that Palmeiras' release is missing. It's all in my agent's hands," he stated.
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Flamengo maintains its decision not to negotiate with Palmeiras. Only after an agreement between Vágner Love and the São Paulo club would the red-and-blacks enter the circuit to try to sign the striker.
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Host of the party in Sulacap, Marcelinho Carioca selected Vágner Love, who arrived late, in his team. The striker scored two goals, despite being on a very bumpy field, and left Flamengo fans, complete with flags and everything, euphoric around the field.
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"He's a very Carioca guy. If they let Vágner play in Rio, I'm sure he'll be great. But this is a difficult decision, one that must be made by him and the club," said Marcelinho Carioca, who compared Vágner Love's situation to Adriano's. "His family is from here, and with this proximity, he'll play with great joy."
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Palmeiras awaits Vágner Love on Monday, when the squad will return for pre-season training. Belluzzo and Verdão's vice-president of football, Gilberto Cipullo, appear to be unwavering.
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"Palmeiras needs compensation. We made a large investment and it will still give us a lot of joy," said Cipullo.
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Renato: 'I'm sure I'll still work at Fla'
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Renato Gaúcho at the All-Star Game
\ \Rio - The most booed player at the All-Star Game, organized by Zico last Sunday at the Maracanã, current coach Renato Gaúcho took the fans' demonstrations – mostly red-and-black fans – in stride. The coach even pointed out the fact that he is not well-liked by the fans and stated that one day he will manage the most popular club in the country.
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"Some fans don't forgive me because of the belly goal, but I have a lot of affection for the fans, for the club and I'm sure that one day I'll work at Flamengo. Then the fans will be on my side," he assured in an interview with Rádio Globo.
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Renato also revealed that he had a conversation with Romário and Celso Barros to be the coach of América in 2010.
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"I spoke with Romário, with Celso Barros, president of the company that also sponsors América, and the president of América himself (Ulisses Salgado) and the conversation was very good. But Bahia's financial offer was much better and there was also my desire to give Rio de Janeiro a 'get out of here', in a good way, and work somewhere else."
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Flamengo is the most valuable brand in Brazil, says study
\ \Rio - A study by consulting firm Crowe Horwath RCS and published by the newspaper "O Estado de São Paulo" on Monday indicates that Flamengo is Brazil's most valuable brand, followed by Corinthians and São Paulo. The study also highlighted each team's market potential, which is not comparable to European football, but with figures that show that the teams' titles and achievements enhance more than just their trophy cabinets.
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Even without a large fan base, São Paulo comes in third. Result of the exploration of the Morumbi stadium | Art: O Dia Online
\ \According to the research, Flamengo, Corinthians and São Paulo are each worth half a million reais, nothing comparable to England's Manchester United, currently valued at R$3.204 billion. The English team's value would only be reached if the values of the 12 participating teams were added together. The survey took into account the clubs with the largest fan base and the number of titles won by each of them from the start of the Brazilian Championship (1971) to 2009. Therefore, the four biggest clubs from Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, two from Minas Gerais and two from Rio Grande do Sul participated in the study.
\ \The survey also shows that the revenue of national teams increased by 115% between 2003 and 2008. The increase occurred mainly in revenue from marketing and ticket sales, which indicates a slight improvement in team management. To reach this conclusion, the study used information on financial data, marketing, fan profiles and habits, and the national and local markets.
\ \With Brazil chosen as the host city for the 2014 World Cup, clubs will have an even more exciting outlook, with a 69% increase in revenue. This year, the survey indicates revenue of R$1,9 billion, and in 2012, revenue generated could reach R$2,6 billion, jumping to R$3 billion in 2014.
\ \With information from the newspaper O Estado de São Paulo
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SPORTS GAZETTE
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One day I will coach Flamengo, guarantees Renato Gaúcho
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Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Much heckled by Flamengo fans who attended Maracanã this Sunday for the All-Star Game, organized by Zico, former striker Renato Gaúcho was not bothered by the persecution. Currently at Bahia, the coach guaranteed that one day he will work in Gávea. And when that happens,\ it will have the unrestricted support of the red-black masses.
\ \"Some fans don't forgive me for the belly goal, but I have a lot of affection for the fans, for the club and I'm sure that one day I'll work at Flamengo," he told Radio Globo, when remembering the goal that defined the Rio de Janeiro title for Fluminense, in 1995. "Then the fans will be on my side", guaranteed the commander.
\ \Renato Gaúcho returns to football after a lackluster stint at Fluminense, where he was unable to recover the team from its poor run in August. He was torn between two offers for 2010: one from América-RJ, where former player Romário is a director (the club returns to the state's first division this season), and one from Bahia, which he ultimately gave priority to.
\ \"I spoke with Romário, with Celso Barros, president of the company that also sponsors América, and the president of América himself (Ulisses Salgado) and the conversation was very good. But Bahia's financial offer was much better and there was also my desire to give Rio de Janeiro a 'get out of here', in a good way, and work somewhere else," explained the commander.
\ \After arriving\ expressing the intention of waking up a 'sleeping giant' (Brazilian champion,\ Bahia struggled to stay in Series B in 2008), Renato Gaúcho showed confidence with the venture. Not even the episode in 1989, when he offended the local fans by receiving an egg before a game of Brazilian Team, must shake its structures.
\ \"I was very well received," he assured. "President Marcelo Guimarães presented me with a very good project and we ended up agreeing. I'm taking Alexandre Mendes (assistant coach) with me, because I won't give him up, but the rest of the technical committee will be from Bahia itself, especially because I received excellent informations about the professionals who are there", he said.
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Via Twitter, Romário celebrates his rapprochement with Zico
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Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Two of Flamengo's greatest idols, Romário and Zico, made peace at the All-Star Games, hosted by Galinho de Quintino this Sunday at Maracanã. In the early hours of Monday, the short one was still pleased to have rekindled ties with the former Gávea number 10. Via Twitter, Romário celebrated the rapprochement with Zico.
\ \"I wanted to thank Zico for the invitation. I'm very happy to have played yesterday and especially to have resolved this misunderstanding," said the former number 11, in a series of messages posted on the microblog. "It was great to play at the Maracanã again with more than 70 thousand people. I spoke with him, we resolved the problems and we play our football."
\ \The feud between the two former players began in 1998. After being cut from the Brazilian Team who was going to the World Cup in France, Romário had one of the bathroom doors in his restaurant decorated with a caricature of Zico. Only 11 years later were the problems finally solved, to the joy of Baixinho.
\ \"Anyway,\ perfect Sunday of football fans, crowded Maraca, Solution of a problem and two more goals\ for the collection", said Romário, who also played alongside Adriano,\ Júnior, Andrade, Renato Gaúcho and Fábio Luciano, among others. "I just wanted\ to show how happy I was yesterday (Sunday). Thanks Galinho for the invitation and congratulations on the initiative of the game", added Baixinho.
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Angelim remains undecided, but Obina returns to Rubro-negro in 2010
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Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Defender Ronaldo Angelim has not yet renewed his contract with Flamengo, but he continues to maintain that he wants to stay at Gávea. Considered one of the team's most consistent players and scorer of the winning goal that secured the national title, the Ceará-born defender is hoping for a raise to renew his contract. The defender's contract expires on December 31st.
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The superintendent of football fans Eduardo Manhães revealed that he had spoken with the defender's wife, who is representing him in the renewal, and said that there is a disagreement regarding the length of the contract. Rubro-negro is offering a one-year contract, and the defender wants to sign for two. Furthermore, there is also a difference regarding the salary, but the leader believes that the two parties will reach an agreement.
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Manhães also said that the attacker Obina should be able to report normally along with the rest of the squad. He was returned by Palmeiras after being involved in a fight with a teammate during the match against Grêmio and has a contract with the Gávea club until the end of 2010. For the director, Obina's experience could be important for Flamengo's campaign in the next Copa Libertadores.
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Andrade wants to strengthen the group and expects Zé Roberto in 2010
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Gazeta Press -\ Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Coach Andrade is concerned about possible losses to the squad that won the Brazilian title. Midfielder Airton has already left, and midfielders Zé Roberto and Everton are unlikely to remain with the club next season. Therefore, the coach hopes that signings will be made to fill the voids left by those absent, so that the team can have a 2010 as good as, or even better than, 2009.
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"We'll wait to see who leaves and who arrives. But we have to replace the departure of important players like Airton and Zé Roberto," analyzed coach Andrade, who should have in his squad three new players promoted from the youth team in the pre-season: midfielders João Vitor and Wellington Pecka, as well as striker Diego Maurício.
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Andrade knows that the Guanabara Cup will be a very tough competition because the small clubs have been working for some time and will certainly win advantage, mainly in the physical part.
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"When we expect ease, we find difficulty and vice versa. That's why Flamengo is working to strengthen the group. There's no point in talking about names because the club won't enter an auction, but important is that the base was maintained and this is the first step for Flamengo to continue to be a winning team", said the commander.
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Zé Roberto should indeed return to Schalke 04, Germany, a club with which he has a contract until 2011. With the end of the loan, Rubro-negro offered €400 (about R$1 million) to have the player for another two years, but the European club asked for €3 million. Coach Felix Magath has already requested the midfielder's return. In an interview with Rádio Tupi, the vice-president of football fans Marcos Braz said he still hasn't given up on counting on the player in 2010.
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"Zé Roberto will report to Schalke 04 on January 1st and then we will talk again to find a way to allow the player to continue at Flamengo," explained the director.
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SPORTS JOURNAL
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The darling of the red-black fans should stay in 2010
\ \Rio de Janeiro: Even if the board agrees to sign Vagner Love to reinforce the attack, Obina should remain at Gávea during 2010. The Black Angel, who was on loan to Palmeiras, has a contract with Rubro-Negro until the end of next year.
\ \Because of this, he must appear with the rest of the squad to participate in the pre-season, held in the city of Porto Feliz, in the interior of São Paulo, on January 5, according to vice-president Marcos Braz.
\ \The manager's interest would be to sell him or\ keep the attacker for the Copa Libertadores, considering\ that if he were loaned to another club, Flamengo would not earn anything after the end\ of the contract. (BB)
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Flamengo with its "feet on the ground" by Love
\ \Thiago Viana - tviana@jsports.com.br
\ \Rio de Janeiro: Flamengo wants Vagner Love, who can't wait to leave Palmeiras. The club, however, is hoping for compensation, having a loan agreement with CSKA until mid-year. The club has already made a decision: it will only negotiate with the goalscorer after he negotiates his departure from Parque Antártica. In other words, negotiations are over until then.
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"Vagner Love belongs to Palmeiras. He has a contract with them and we are awaiting his situation with the club. We are in no rush to conclude any type of negotiation for athletes," Marcos Braz, Flamengo's vice president of football, assured Rádio Tamoio.
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\ So far, the red-black team has lost midfielder Airton and midfielder Zé Roberto.\ Signings? Nothing. Just the return of some athletes who were on loan to\ other teams, such as Obina, who returns from the São Paulo club.
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PELENET
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Fla loses half of the sale of Aírton to Atlético de Madrid-ESP
\ \From UOL Esporte
\ \In Rio de Janeiro
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Midfielder Airton has already trained as a Benfica player
\ \· \ READ MUCH MORE NEWS FROM FLAMENGO
\ \Aírton was introduced by Benfica. The former Flamengo midfielder has already arrived in the Portuguese capital to join the squad of the team managed by Jorge Jesus. Besides him, another Brazilian well-known to the Cariocas also arrived in Lisbon: Alan Kardec, a player discovered by Vasco who will play for the same team as the former Flamengo player.
\ \However, the midfielder's negotiation will create some hurdles for the Gávea club's board. This is due to a court settlement between the Rio de Janeiro club and Atlético de Madrid, which occurred in the case of the negotiation for former defender Gamarra. According to the agreement, half of any transaction involving players goes to the Spanish club.
\ \Since Flamengo would receive R$3 million, equivalent to 15% of the player's economic rights, this amount will be reduced by half, leaving only R$1,5 million in the club's coffers. The Madrid club's portion must be paid by March of next year.
\ \Both Aírton and Alan Kardec have already trained wearing the Portuguese team's jersey. According to the Portuguese newspaper "A Bola," around 500 fans came to watch the new team members.
\ \Flamengo, meanwhile, remains on vacation and will conduct preseason training in Porto Feliz, São Paulo. The team's debut in the State Championship will be on the 17th against Duque de Caxias. So far, no reinforcements have been announced by the Flamengo board.
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GLOBOESPORTE
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Flamengo will not give in to Kleberson or any other player to have Love
\ \The red-black board says it is not negotiating with Palmeiras and that the signing will only happen when the striker terminates his contract.
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Love\ remains in Flamengo's sights, as they refuse to release players to Palmeiras
\ \O Flamengo decided\ to clarify, once and for all, that it will not negotiate any player with the Palmeiras to have Vagner Love. The names of Everton, Denis Marques and, lastly, Kleberson were mentioned as bargaining chips for the striker.
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\ Initially, the São Paulo club's desire was to have Everton. But this Wednesday, a meeting between Traffic, its manager Carlos Jatobá, and Flamengo will define its contract renewal.. In recent days, Kleberson's name has gained strength at Palmeiras.
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"So far, we've only heard the newspaper's blah blah. Of course, Kleberson is an interesting name, but I doubt Flamengo will release him in this negotiation. This story is full of rumors. We're waiting for Flamengo to make us an official offer for Vágner Love," said Gilberto Cipullo, Palmeiras' vice president of football.
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But the club's directors have already made it clear that they will not negotiate with the São Paulo club to acquire Vagner Love. Nor do they intend to release any player to have the striker in 2010.
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"The priority is to maintain the entire Brazilian squad, including Kleberson, Adriano, Pet, everyone. I've never heard of the possibility of Kleberson going there. Especially since he's a Brazilian and world champion, and he's in Andrade's plans. And he's always been in the board's plans," said Marcos Braz, vice president of football.
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\ The director repeated that Flamengo will not be involved in the process of\ releasing Vagner Love from Palmeiras.
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- Flamengo is not in any direct negotiations with Palmeiras.\ For the last time, we will wait for Love to resolve his situation with Palmeiras\ to negotiate with the player - said Braz.
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Flamengo has already agreed on a salary agreement with the striker, who is trying to leave the São Paulo club. Both he and his agent, Evandro Ferreira, are owed money by Palmeiras and are discussing this in the process of terminating his contract, which ends in July 2010.
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Belluzzo admits that Palmeiras wants Kleberson: 'A very interesting player'
\ \Palmeiras president tells 'SporTV' that he will only accept releasing Vagner Love to Fla if there is a counterpart and also talks about Everton
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The president of the Palmeiras, Luiz\ Gonzaga Belluzzo, does not seem willing to release striker Vagner Love as easily as the player might want, who has already expressed his desire to play for Flamengo in 2010. In an interview with "SporTV", the director highly praised midfielder Kleberson and also admitted interest in striker Everton, both from the red-black club. Belluzzo made it clear that the compensation he demands for the transfer of Vagner Love could be an exchange for one of the two Flamengo players, with a clear preference for the midfielder who was called up by Dunga for the Brazilian Team this year.
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"Kleberson, actually, is something I saw. The focus of the negotiations wasn't Everton. Flamengo claims that Andrade is resisting the transfer of Everton. I think Kleberson is a very interesting player, a very good player. I don't know how willing Flamengo is to release him, but we are insisting on these two players," admitted the Palmeiras president.
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Belluzzo explained the club's position in relation to Vagner Love:
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- The Vagner Love soap opera has its peculiarities.\ The player's agent and the player expressed their dissatisfaction with what\ happened to him, their disagreement with the attempted assault (by two\ fans in the final stretch of the Brazilian Championship) and they've suggested in interviews that they'd like to make a change. But Palmeiras can't give in because they spent a lot of money on Vagner Love. Not on the loan, but on salary payments, etc. Palmeiras still has an outstanding image rights debt with him that we intend to pay off. But that's only for a month. In any case, we're willing to look at the player's situation and the club's interests. The club's interests come first, and I can't give the player up without any compensation.
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The manager also gave a not very positive assessment of his first year in charge of Palmeiras and promised a strong team in 2010:
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We're trying to organize the team so that next year it won't suffer losses and we'll have a solid tactical structure. That's why we're first signing defensive and midfield players (so far, defender Léo and defensive midfielder Márcio Araújo have been signed) with a more solid tactical structure. We have another player at left-back, in addition to Gabrielzinho Silva, who is moving up. We might want another midfielder and two more forwards, because we're bringing up some players from the youth academy.
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CURTAINS: Angelim's renewal gets another chapter
\ \Three youth players are called up to the Brazilian U-20 team. Juniors will compete in the São Paulo Cup in Taubaté
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Renewal with Ronaldo Angelim continues to be a soap opera
\ \Ronaldo Angelim's contract renewal is becoming a never-ending saga. This Tuesday, it gained another chapter. The defender agreed to a one-year contract, having previously agreed to a two-year contract.
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\ Even so, the salary issue continues to be one of the obstacles. Between bonuses and salaries, Angelim asked for a 130% increase, which the board considered to be a value\ outside the financial reality of the Flamengo.
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"The renewal is problematic. He asked for much more than the club expected. From yesterday (Monday) to today (Tuesday), the situation has evolved because he agreed to a one-year contract. Before, he wanted two. Now it's really a salary issue. Tomorrow (Wednesday) I'll speak with Marcos Braz to see what can be done," said Eduardo Manhães, executive director of football.
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\ Flamengo in the selection
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On January 4th, three Flamengo players will be joining the Brazilian Under-20 team for the Under-2010 National Team Tournament in Punta del Este, Uruguay. Full-backs Jorbison and Rafael Galhardo, and forward Diego Maurício were called up by coach Rogério Lourenço, who will be part of the coaching staff of Flamengo's professional team in XNUMX.
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\ São Paulo Junior Football Cup
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Flamengo will debut in the competition on January 3rd against Sport Club Shallon, from Rondônia, at the Joaquim de Moraes Filho stadium, in Taubaté. This will be the city where Group S (with Paulista, Taubaté and Sport Club Shallon) will play. Flamengo will be led by coach Armênio Moura.
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Andrade is honored in Juiz de Fora
\ \The coach has been awarded the title of Honorary Citizen by the City Council of his hometown. This Wednesday, he will play a festive game there.
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Andrade received a tribute from the Juiz de Fora City Council on Tuesday afternoon. The coach of Flamengo he won the title of Honorary Citizen of his hometown.
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This is the second honor he has received there. The first was the award of the Henrique Halfeld Medal.
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This Wednesday, the coach will be honored again, this time on the field. He will participate in the 30th Solidarity Kick-Off, a traditional gathering of players, former athletes, and prominent figures from Juiz de Fora. The tournament will be held at the Municipal Stadium and will have the theme "Andrade, Pride of Juiz de Fora."
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The coach is in Juiz de Fora to spend part of his vacation with his family, who still live there. This is the first time he has been to the city since winning the Brazilian Championship. His return to Rio de Janeiro is scheduled for next Thursday.
\ \Andrade gives the mayor of Juiz de Fora, Custodio Mattos, a Flamengo shirt
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Aírton is presented by Benfica
\ \The midfielder arrives in Portugal this Tuesday and is already training. Flamengo will 'lose' 50% of the sale value due to an agreement with Atlético de Madrid.
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Portuguese newspaper highlights Airton's arrival in Portugal this Tuesday
\ \Aírton is now a Benfica player. The midfielder arrived in Portugal in the early hours of Tuesday and has even trained with his new teammates. His departure from Flamengo, however, there may be unwanted developments in the coming days due to the agreement signed with Atlético de Madrid for the debt related to the signing of defender Gamarra.
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Under this court settlement, Flamengo will have to remit 2010% of the proceeds from any player sales transaction to the Spanish club by March 50. In Aírton's case, the club would receive R$3 million for the 15% of the economic rights it held. However, only R$1,5 million will reach the club's coffers.
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- Until February, half of the value of the operations will go directly to the agreement with Atlético de Madrid. From March onwards, this percentage will drop to 20% - explained Adalberto Ribeiro, Flamengo's legal vice president.
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At Gávea, the club's directors even discussed internally the possibility of abandoning the sale of the midfielder because of this agreement. After all, the club would receive very little for a starting player, young and with potential. Vice-president of football, Marcos Braz, could not be reached by GLOBOESPORTE.COM to comment on the matter, and the player has already been presented by Benfica.
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Aírton arrived in Lisbon this Tuesday amidst intense local media attention, but he declined to give any interviews. According to the Portuguese newspaper "A Bola," the midfielder, alongside striker Alan Kardec, was one of the highlights of Benfica's first training session after the Christmas holidays. Around 500 fans watched the Brazilian reinforcements' activities.
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Romário thanks Zico and the Flamengo fans again, this time on Twitter
\ \Baixinho says he resolved the misunderstanding and was received in the best way
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Romário and Zico at the All-Star Game
\ \Former striker Romário once again thanked his idol Flamengo Zico for the invitation to participate in the All-Star Game, a charity match held last Sunday at Maracanã. This time, Baixinho used the Twitter, an internet dating site, to express your contentment.
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According to Romário, it was a good opportunity to resolve what he called a "misunderstanding." Before the 1998 World Cup, Zico, who was part of the Brazilian national team's coaching staff under Zagallo, was considered by Baixinho to be responsible for his being cut from the delegation that would go to the World Cup in France. Since then, the two have not spoken.
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"I wanted to thank you for all the messages about the game. I also wanted to thank Zico for the invitation. I'm very happy to have played and, especially, to have resolved this misunderstanding," Romário said on Twitter.
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\ Romário also highlighted in his posts the way he was\ received by the red-black fans, the vast majority of the more than 72 thousand present\ at the stadium.
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- It was great to play at Maracanã again with more than 70 people. I talked with him, we resolved the issues, and played our football. Thanks to the Mengão fans too, who gave me the best possible welcome.
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\ The Shorty celebrated the two goals scored in the friendly, which ended in a 5-5 draw between a combined team of Flamengo players and former athletes and a team formed with Zico's Friends.
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- Finally, a perfect Sunday of football: a packed Maraca, a problem solved, and two more goals for the collection. Thanks again to everyone who left a message. Another day for history. Well, everyone, thanks! I just wanted to show you how happy I was about yesterday. Thanks, Galinho, for the invitation, and congratulations on the initiative of the game.
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Businessman guarantees Everton at Flamengo
\ \A meeting this Wednesday will define the final details of the contract renewal for another year of the supporter who was in Palmeiras' sights.
\ \ \ \Everton's agent says he should stay at Flamengo in 2010
\ \The saga of Vagner Love's signing continues, but the one about Everton's renewal with Flamengo There is already a deadline. This Wednesday, the supporter's agent, Carlos Jatobá, and representatives from Traffic and the club's board will meet in Rio de Janeiro to extend the loan for another year.
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\ Everton was the player who Palmeiras wanted to release striker Vagner Love once and for all. But the midfielder will remain at Gávea in 2010.
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"Fernando (Gonçalves, Traffic's executive director) called me and asked me to go to Rio. We're going to meet this Wednesday to finalize the details of this new contract with Flamengo," Jatobá told GLOBOESPORTE.COM.
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The agent said he has been in daily contact with the player, who is on vacation in Nortelândia, Mato Grosso, and has been explaining all the negotiation possibilities involving his name. In addition to Palmeiras' interest, Bayer Leverkusen from Germany, Espanyol from Spain, and Tigres from Mexico have also approached Traffic about signing Everton.
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"I've been talking to him constantly and said something else could come up. Everton knows Palmeiras is a big club, one of the biggest in Brazil, and that it would be an honor to play there. But he said that if he has to stay in Brazil, the first option is to stay where he already is. The priority is Flamengo, which is where he's always wanted to be, where he's already in sync and has already shown his potential. It's not yet time for him to go abroad. Playing in this Libertadores and playing more this year for Flamengo is very good for his career," said Jatobá.
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If his renewal is confirmed, he will become the first player that the red-black board can keep for 2010. They have not yet renewed the contracts of Ronaldo Angelim, Zé Roberto and Diego.
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Petkovic says he took a risk by accepting comparisons with Zico
\ \Serbian says he didn't know how important his idol was to the red-and-black fans. For him, the sixth title is a consequence of the goal he scored in the fourth and third titles.
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Serbian midfielder Petkovic revealed he took a risk by agreeing to play for Flamengo, in his first stint at the club, in 2000. In an interview with "Tá na Área Especial" this Monday, the current number 43 of the red-black team recalled that he was compared to the club's greatest idol.
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"I signed with Flamengo on Christmas Eve, and when I arrived in January, they compared me to Zico. I knew Zico from the national team. But when I learned what Zico meant to Flamengo, it was too late. I had already accepted that comparison, without realizing what I had gotten myself into. But today I see that I am truly lucky," Petkovic told reporters Cláudio Uchôa and Fábio Juppa.
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\ Asked about the reason why the 2001 Flamengo, which had Pet, Edilson,\ Juan, Gamarra, Vampeta, Beto, and the still young Adriano, did not reach higher heights, the Serbian gave two explanations: the Brazilian one and the logical one.
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- In the Brazilian explanation, too many stars together, with too much vanity, doesn't work. But logic dictates that you can't build a team expecting results in three months. You have to have the foundation, fit some pieces together, and then eliminate those vanity that gets in the way. Flamengo spent a lot of money thinking they would win everything. But they ended up seeing the team lose in a few fights.
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Petkovic also makes a connection between the goal that won the 2001 Rio de Janeiro title against Vasco and the sixth championship title won this year. For him, the sixth Brazilian title is a natural consequence of the fourth and third title.
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- I had no idea what that goal represented. I realized later that I was lucky enough to score it. But only now, years later, did I realize its importance. This sixth title wouldn't have happened if that goal from the fourth title hadn't happened. I wouldn't have come back and I wouldn't have done everything I did.
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\ Upon his return to the club this year, Petkovic admits that he never imagined\ winning a Brazilian title with Flamengo.
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\ - Imagining that we would be champions was a bit of an exaggeration. In that situation, the\ objective was to return the fans' affection and help Flamengo. But the sixth title was\ something we weren't confident about.
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\ Analyzing the success of being considered one of the best\ players in the 2009 Brasileirão, Petkovic says that it is all due to his happiness.
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\ - When a player is happy with av