What Happened in Brazilian Soccer Yesterday (Monday, June 2nd 2025)

Atlético-MG

• Atlético-MG will face Flamengo in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Copa do Brasil, a rematch of the 2024 final, as they aim for their third title in the competition.

• Atlético-MG will play Atlético Bucaramanga in the Sudamericana playoffs and already knows the path to the final, scheduled for November 22 in Bolivia.

• Atlético-MG has registered Dudu, who may debut against Internacional on June 12 and will strengthen the squad for both the Copa do Brasil and the Sudamericana.

Bahia

• Coach Rogério Ceni confirmed that Bahia will use an alternative squad with U-20 players in this Wednesday’s match against Confiança in the Copa do Nordeste.

• Pituca turned down offers from Bahia and Fortaleza, prioritized Atlético-MG, but will remain at Santos and is only willing to move abroad to Japan.

• Bahia will face Retrô in the Round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil, with the first leg at Fonte Nova (July 29–31) and the return leg at Arena Pernambuco (August 5–7).

Botafogo

• Botafogo has extended Savarino’s contract until June 2028, with a salary increase and a US$20 million release clause for foreign clubs. The Venezuelan forward has scored 17 goals and provided 16 assists in 73 matches for the club.

• Botafogo’s director, Léo Coelho, denied that there will be a mass exodus from the squad before the Super Club World Cup, despite interest from Nottingham Forest in Igor Jesus, Cuiabano, and Jair. He confirmed that all players will stay until the tournament and negotiations remain confidential.

• Cuiabano and Matheus Martins could strengthen Botafogo against Ceará this Wednesday, depending on medical evaluations. The club is being cautious with Matheus’s return, with an eye on the upcoming Super Club World Cup

Ceará

• Without Aylon, Romulo, and Matheus Bahia, but with Fernandinho, Ceará travels for the match against Botafogo.

• Goiás has shown interest in signing full-back Nicolas from Ceará, but talks between the clubs have not progressed.

• Vina requested a 3-year contract, R$ 2 million in signing bonuses, and a progressive salary to return to Ceará, but the club has already stated it is not interested in the deal.

Corinthians

• Executive Fabinho Soldado stated that Corinthians, which spent around R$12 million on midfielder Alex Santana from Athletico-PR (still unpaid), is analyzing inquiries from Grêmio, who are interested in the player.

• Suspended Corinthians president Augusto Melo has been indicted for qualified theft, criminal association, and money laundering in the VaideBet case. He lost the support of attorney Ricardo Cury, who left the defense due to disagreements with José

• Eduardo Cardozo’s legal team and internal turmoil involving first secretary Maria Angela and CD president Romeu Tuma Jr.

• FIFA has ordered Corinthians to pay €1 million (approximately R$6.5 million) to Shakhtar Donetsk for failing to fulfill payment obligations on the loan of midfielder Maycon, plus interest and fines totaling an additional €120,000 (around R$780,000).

• Rodrigo Garro emphasized that the political crisis at Corinthians directly affects both the squad and the fans, praising Fabinho Soldado as a key figure in supporting players and maintaining focus within the club.

Cruzeiro

• Cruzeiro will face CRB in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Copa do Brasil—a team that has caused problems in recent years, although Cruzeiro holds the upper hand historically.

• After defeating Palmeiras, Cruzeiro maintains an unbeaten streak, displays tactical consistency, and solidifies itself as a title contender in the Brasileirão.

• Alexandre Mattos has stepped down as CEO of Cruzeiro following a loss of influence and underwhelming results, accepting an offer from Santos.

 

Flamengo

• Internacional and Flamengo will face each other for the third time in Copa Libertadores history, with Flamengo holding the advantage in previous encounters.

• Flamengo and Atlético-MG will meet again in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Copa do Brasil, a rematch of the 2024 final, with Flamengo defending their title.

• With Viña returning, Flamengo is expected to transfer out a left-back by the end of the year due to an excess of options, including Alex Sandro and Ayrton Lucas.

Fluminense

• Fluminense has terminated the contract of Gustavo Apis, who was on loan at Pattaya United in Thailand. The 25-year-old attacking midfielder played only 10 matches for the club and is expected to be signed permanently by the Thai side.

• Fluminense will face Internacional in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Copa do Brasil, a rematch of the 1992 final. The first leg will be played at Beira-Rio and the second at Maracanã, scheduled for July 30 and August 6.

• Jhon Arias is leading Fluminense’s assist rankings in 2025 by a wide margin, with 12 assists — three times more than the runner-up, Gabriel Fuentes. In the win over Internacional, Samuel Xavier also stood out with his second assist of the year.

Fortaleza

• Fortaleza CEO Marcelo Paz confirmed that changes in the squad are expected during the transfer window open until June 10, aiming to strengthen the group with players fully committed to the club’s goals.

• According to reporting by Esporte do Povo, internal disagreements and dissatisfaction with Vojvoda’s rotation system have negatively affected the atmosphere at Fortaleza, contributing to the team’s poor performance in 2025.

• A historic clash is set: Fortaleza will face Vélez Sarsfield in the Round of 16 of the Libertadores, with the first leg at Castelão and the return leg in Argentina.

 

Grêmio

• Grêmio will face Alianza Lima in the 2025 Sudamericana playoffs and could meet Universidad de Quito in the Round of 16, with the full bracket to the final already set.

• Grêmio is in negotiations with Lyon and John Textor’s group to sign center-back Adryelson, formerly of Botafogo, to strengthen the defense this season.

• Grêmio will have eight days of training under coach Mano Menezes during the FIFA break to prepare the squad ahead of the match against Corinthians.

Internacional

• Internacional and Flamengo will face off for the third time in Copa Libertadores history, with Flamengo having the historical edge, but recent matches in the Brasileirão have been more balanced.

• Internacional will face Fluminense in the Round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil, with the decisive match to be played at the Maracanã.

• Borré has been ruled out of the Colombian national team due to injury, while Inter's midfielder Fernando suffered a serious knee injury and will be out for 4 to 5 months, deepening the club's injury crisis.

Juventude

• Juventude is struggling in the Brasileirão and is planning to bring in reinforcements focused on quality, especially in defense — currently the worst in the league. The club will assess all areas to improve the squad without making excessive signings.

• Coach Cláudio Tencati lamented Juventude’s 2–0 loss to Grêmio, criticized the refereeing, and highlighted the emotional toll on the squad. The team will only return to action in July, after the break for the FIFA window and the Club World Cup.

Mirassol

• Reinaldo, Mirassol’s top scorer with seven goals in 2025, has stood out by scoring against former clubs such as Grêmio, São Paulo, and Sport. A key figure in the squad, the left-back is praised for his leadership, consistency, and improving performance.

• Coach Rafael Guanaes is celebrating Mirassol’s winning streak and reaffirmed that he accepted the challenge out of respect for the club, regardless of the division. The team’s main goal remains staying in the top tier of the Brasileirão.

Palmeiras

• Palmeiras had three players called up to the Brazil U-17 national team: center-back Luccas Ramon (17), left-back Derick (17), and midfielder Luis Pacheco (17), for friendlies against Mexico.

• Three Palmeiras players were also called up to the Brazil U-20 national team: goalkeeper Aranha (19), center-back Benedetti (19), and forward Luighi (19), reinforcing the club's youth presence in national squads.

• Palmeiras is targeting 25-year-old Uruguayan winger Brian Rodríguez as a replacement for Estêvão, but negotiations with América-MEX stalled after an official offer was rejected.

Red Bull Bragantino

• Forwards Davi Lucas and Luis Gustavo, both from Red Bull Bragantino, have been called up to the Brazil U-17 national team as part of preparations for the U-17 World Cup, which will be held in November in Qatar.

• Famalicão purchased forward Sorriso for €1.5 million (approximately R$9.7 million), with Bragantino receiving 70%, Juventude 25%, and the player himself 5% of the fee.

• Isidro Pitta, a forward for Red Bull Bragantino, has been called up to represent Paraguay in the World Cup Qualifiers, including the match against Brazil on June 10.

Santos

• Right-back JP Chermont (18) and forward Deivid Washington (19), from Santos, have joined the Brazil U-20 national team for friendly matches in preparation for the U-20 World Cup in Chile.

• Alexandre Mattos has stepped down as CEO of Cruzeiro and will become the new CEO of Santos, after stints at América-MG, Palmeiras, Atlético-MG, Athletico-PR, and Vasco, earning significant titles in Brazilian football.

• Santos rejected a R$12 million offer from Red Bull Bragantino for right-back JP Chermont, considered a valuable member of the squad and previously involved in negotiations related to Lucas Evangelista.

São Paulo

• São Paulo sold 16-year-old right-back Angelo to Strasbourg (FRA) for €5 million (approximately R$32 million), with the move to the French club scheduled for 2027, when he turns 18.

• The club may lose center-back Ruan Tressoldi (24), and midfielders Liziero (26) and Marcos Antônio (24) at the end of June, due to expiring contracts and the absence of renewal agreements.

• Ruan Tressoldi is expected to leave São Paulo after Sassuolo filed a complaint with FIFA over a delayed loan payment by the Brazilian club.

Sport Recife

• Sport is ending the loan of forward Arthur Sousa, who belongs to Red Bull Bragantino, marking the beginning of the squad overhaul during the break for the FIFA Club World Cup.

• The club is negotiating the signing of goalkeeper Gabriel from Vitória, and the deal could involve a swap with Thiago Couto.

• Sport has secured the signing of 15-year-old defender Christian, discovered by América/RN, who played two matches in this year's Copinha.

Vasco

• Vasco is negotiating the immediate termination of Dimitri Payet’s contract, which runs until July 31, due to his high salary and poor performance on the pitch. In 2024, the midfielder played only 17 matches, scored no goals, and has been sidelined since April with an injury.

• Vasco has made a new offer to extend goalkeeper Léo Jardim’s contract until 2030 and is awaiting a decision from Aston Villa to try to keep Philippe Coutinho permanently. The club will face CSA in the Round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil.

• FIFA has ruled that Vasco must pay US$2.645 million to Newell's Old Boys due to debt related to the signing of Sforza, under the risk of a transfer ban. The club is trying to include the amount in its judicial recovery plan, as it successfully did in another recent case.

  
  

Vitória

• Vitória has begun a squad overhaul and is expected to lose several players: Janderson has offers from abroad, Carlos Eduardo is on his way to Mirassol, Bruno Xavier is leaving, and Hugo will return to Botafogo with an international move ahead.

• Athletico Paranaense is showing interest in Vitória’s forward Wellington Rato for the Série B campaign.

• Vitória has signed a contract for the construction of Arena Barradão, with work scheduled to begin in January 2026 and an estimated investment of R$ 450 million, though the project still depends on approval by the deliberative council in August.