What Happened in Brazilian Soccer Yesterday (Monday, August 25th, 2025)

Atlético-MG

• Coach Cuca acknowledged Júnior Santos’ poor performance at Atlético-MG but said he trusts the striker and believes he can improve with more playing time and confidence.

• Director Paulo Bracks criticized Cruzeiro for protesting against refereeing in the Copa do Brasil derby and said he trusts the CBF’s choice for a fair game.

• Atlético-MG began preparations for the Copa do Brasil derby against Cruzeiro without Lyanco and Saravia but welcomed back Hulk, Alonso, and Cuello.

Bahia

• Bahia announced the signing of defender Luiz Gustavo, formerly of Vasco, with a contract until 2030. The 19-year-old is already training with the team while awaiting registration. The club also signed goalkeeper João Paulo.

• Coach Rogério Ceni confirmed that Mateo Sanabria has signed until 2030 and may debut Thursday if registered and fit. The Argentine striker last played in June for Al Ain against Manchester City in the Club World Cup.

• Ceni also confirmed that he counts on Rezende at Bahia, despite his deal with Fortaleza, highlighting him and Acevedo as the only replacements for Caio Alexandre. His departure remains uncertain until the transfer window closes.

Botafogo

• Botafogo rejected Al-Najma’s (Saudi Arabia) first loan bid for goalkeeper Léo Linck but is open to negotiation. With Neto’s arrival, Linck became the third choice.

• Savarino received offers from Trabzonspor and Al-Rayyan; his future remains undecided after Copa Libertadores elimination.

• Defender Gabriel Bahia, negotiating with Botafogo, is under investigation for alleged yellow-card manipulation in Serie B matches. Despite suspicions, his agent denies wrongdoing, and talks with the club continue.

Bragantino

• Red Bull Bragantino faces Palmeiras in the Brazilian U-20 Championship final this Tuesday (26) at 9 p.m., after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

Ceará

• Coach Léo Condé explained that Matheus Bahia suffered a knee knock but should be available against Juventude. In the meantime, he is using Rafael Ramos at left-back.

• Condé stated that Ceará’s first goal is to remain in Serie A but believes the club could “aim higher” with consistent competitiveness. He praised signings Vina, Zanocelo, Rodriguinho, Paulo Baya, and Lucca Holanda.

Corinthians

• Vasco announced Robert Renan on loan until 2026, frustrating Corinthians, which had hoped for a profitable transfer.

• Corinthians renewed midfielder André Luiz’s contract until December 2029, raising his release clause to R$112 million domestically and €100 million internationally.

• Osmar Stabile won indirect elections with 199 votes and will remain Corinthians’ president until the end of 2026.

Cruzeiro

• Eight months after returning to Cruzeiro for more playing time, Fabrício Bruno achieved his goal of returning to the Brazilian national team, called up by Carlo Ancelotti for the World Cup Qualifiers.

• Cruzeiro director Paulo Pelaipe criticized referee Ramon Abatti Abel’s appointment for the derby against Atlético-MG and asked for the match to be decided fairly.

• Kaio Jorge overcame early boos, became the league’s top scorer, and earned his first call-up to Ancelotti’s national team.

Flamengo

• Flamengo crushed Vitória with a perfect collective performance led by Saúl, Arrascaeta, Pedro, and Samuel Lino, consolidating its attacking dominance this season.

• Flamengo plans to shield its squad after major investments, focusing on contract renewals to keep the starting lineup intact against European offers in 2026.

• Pedro scored a hat-trick against Vitória, reaching 102 goals at Maracanã, making him the 8th all-time top scorer at the stadium.

Fluminense

• Paraguayan midfielder Lezcano, signed for US$5 million, has not played since May and vented frustration on social media. He is Renato Gaúcho’s fifth midfield option.

• Fluminense has already signed John Kennedy, Lucho Acosta, Santiago Moreno, and Igor Rabello this window and continues to seek a defender. Arias was sold to Wolverhampton; Paulo Baya was released; and Isaque is close to joining Shakhtar Donetsk for €12 million.

• For the first time since his return, Renato Gaúcho may have the full Fluminense squad available against Bahia in the Copa do Brasil. Thiago Silva, Ignácio, and Otávio trained with the team.

Fortaleza

• Fortaleza requested the return of Marcelo Benevenuto, loaned to Criciúma, to negotiate him with another club, but the player insists on staying at Criciúma. The club may increase its offer to keep him.

• Coach Renato Paiva has the second-worst start of any Fortaleza manager in Serie A, with only 5 points from 7 games. Despite the poor results, he remains motivated and confident in recovery.

Grêmio

• Grêmio loaned 22-year-old midfielder Ronald to Atlético-GO until the end of Serie B for more playing time.

• The club is looking for a midfield reinforcement and may release players before the transfer window closes.

• Arthur returned to Grêmio on loan from Juventus and was welcomed enthusiastically by fans in Porto Alegre.

Internacional

• Internacional extended captain Alan Patrick’s contract until December 2027.

• The club is monitoring possible departures of Ricardo Mathias, Vitão, Wesley, and Gustavo Prado before the transfer window closes.

• Both Grêmio and Internacional have 24 points and are struggling, leaving fans discouraged and coaches under pressure.

Juventude

• At 44 years old, Nenê is starring for Juventude under Thiago Carpini, participating in six goals in four matches after regaining a starting spot.

• Carpini criticized refereeing and his team’s lack of maturity in the 3–1 loss to Botafogo, but praised tactical improvements and collective effort.

Mirassol

• Mirassol signed striker Renato Marques, 21, from América-MG, on loan. He was the runner-up top scorer of the 2023 Copa São Paulo.

• Coach Rafael Guanaes praised Mirassol’s 1–0 win over Fortaleza, highlighting the team’s dedication and collective spirit. With the victory, they reached 32 points in the league.

Palmeiras

• Palmeiras 3–0 Sport – Allianz Parque Wearing its third kit, Palmeiras beat Sport 3–0 to stay in the title race.

• Palmeiras advanced in talks to sign Andreas Pereira from Fulham, expecting to have him during the FIFA break.

• Spanish club Almería entered negotiations with Palmeiras for striker Thalys (20). Olympiacos also offered about €7 million for 70% of his rights.

Santos

• Santos prospects João Pedro, Vinicius Rocha (scorer), and David Nogueira starred in Brazil’s U-17 7–1 win over Costa Rica in the final test before the World Cup.

• With Cleber Xavier’s contract termination registered, Santos can now sign Juan Pablo Vojvoda as new head coach.

• Bahia announced goalkeeper João Paulo on loan until 2026; the ex-Santos player waived debts and 30% of his rights in gratitude to the club.

São Paulo

• Striker André Silva suffered partial ligament tear and will miss the rest of the season.

• São Paulo paid US$300,000 to Cerro Porteño for midfielder Bobadilla, avoiding FIFA’s transfer ban.

• Lucas Moura remains sidelined but is expected to return fully for the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals on September 18.

Sport Recife

• Palmeiras 3–0 Sport – Allianz Parque After losing 3–0 to Palmeiras, coach Daniel Paulista admitted the poor performance but said Sport’s real battle is against direct relegation rivals like Vasco. He expects Derik Lacerda’s return but may lose Lucas Lima to an ankle injury.

• Sport suffered its 11th defeat of the season and remains bottom with only 10 points (17% success rate), nine points away from safety. Flaco López (2) and Gustavo Gómez scored for Palmeiras.

• Lucas Lima twisted his ankle against Palmeiras, was substituted in the second half, and will undergo tests to determine the injury’s severity.

Vasco

• Vasco sold defender Luiz Gustavo to Bahia for €5 million (R$32 million) to ease financial struggles and keep striker Rayan, seen as key by coach Fernando Diniz.

• Former Flamengo midfielder Matheus França (Crystal Palace) arrived in Rio to join Vasco on loan until June 2026, without a buy option, and will wear the No. 9 jersey.

• Vasco signed defender Robert Renan, 21, on loan from Zenit until June 2026, with a buy option. He will wear jersey No. 30.

Vitória

• Flamengo 8–0 Vitória – Maracanã

• Vitória conceded the heaviest defeat in league history, suffering defensive errors and poor choices from coach Fábio Carille.

• After the humiliating defeat, Vitória fired coach Carille, appointing Rodrigo Chagas as interim manager.

• Argentine Ramón Díaz is a candidate to replace Carille, but his high salary is a major obstacle.