What Happened in Brazilian Soccer Yesterday (Monday, July 21th 2025)

Atlético-MG

• Atlético-MG faces pressure for results, financial crisis, and fan demands while aiming for Sudamericana qualification and low-cost reinforcements.

• The STJD granted a partial suspensive effect to Dudu, who remains suspended for five matches but doesn't need to pay the R$90,000 fine until the appeal is judged.

• Biel arrives in Belo Horizonte for medical tests and to sign with Atlético-MG on a one-year loan, with a purchase option linked to performance goals.

Bahia

• Bahia cooled its interest in goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira due to the high asking price of €6 million fixed plus €2 million in bonuses for a relatively unknown player.

• Bahia plays for a spot in the Sudamericana quarterfinals this Tuesday (22) against América de Cali away, after a goalless draw in the first leg; without Everton Ribeiro (suspended) and other injured players, the team relies on a six-match unbeaten run to advance.

Botafogo

• Botafogo informed Danilo Barbosa that his contract, which expires in December, will not be renewed, allowing him to negotiate with other clubs. Fortaleza and Atlético-MG are interested.

• Danilo, former Palmeiras and Nottingham Forest player, is Botafogo's most expensive signing ever, costing R$142.7 million. The 22-year-old midfielder arrives after recovering from a serious ankle injury.

• Colombian Jordan Barrera is registered in the BID and cleared to debut for Botafogo against Corinthians. Bought for over R$22 million, the midfielder plays centrally or on the right wing.

Bragantino

• Red Bull Bragantino will have midfielders Gabriel and John John, as well as forwards Eduardo Sasha and Lucas Barbosa, back for the match against Flamengo on Wednesday.

Ceará

• Forward Guilherme renewed his contract with Ceará until the end of 2028; the new deal is already listed in the BID.

• Ceará will be without Matheus Bahia (suspended) against Mirassol and may miss Fernandinho; Lucas Mugni returns to help steer the team away from the relegation zone.

• Ceará hosts Mirassol on Wednesday with a 75% home win rate in Série A, aiming to maintain strong performance. The teams have faced off four times previously, with Mirassol slightly ahead.

Corinthians

• Yuri Alberto remains without a return date after an L1 vertebra fracture and will likely miss matches against Cruzeiro and Botafogo. Coach Dorival Júnior considers him a key player.

• Cacá has solidified his starting role under Dorival, playing in 13 of 14 matches and scoring twice. Gustavo Henrique, recovering from surgery, remains on the bench under load management.

• Defender Rafael Venâncio (19) is being transferred by Corinthians to Famalicão (Portugal) for the U-20 squad. Corinthians will retain 30% of his rights and terminate his contract, originally valid until April 2026.

Cruzeiro

• Cruzeiro will face Corinthians without Fagner (due to a contractual clause), with Cássio returning and Lucas Silva cleared after injury scare.

• After shining against Juventude, Gabigol asked for more minutes at Cruzeiro, joking that he’d even play as a goalkeeper just to stay on the pitch.

• Lucas Silva showed no knee injury but remains doubtful for the Corinthians match, worrying coach Leonardo Jardim due to a lack of backup options.

Flamengo

• Flamengo is finalizing Wesley’s transfer to Roma for up to €30 million, expected to be concluded this week.

• Flamengo is close to signing Saúl Ñíguez, who terminated his contract with Atlético de Madrid and will reunite with Filipe Luís at the club.

• Danilo suffered a grade 2 thigh injury and will miss time, compounding Flamengo’s issues in the full-back positions and medical department.

Fluminense

• In 2025, Fluminense has recorded its lowest academy usage among the top 20 players in minutes played, with only Martinelli and Thiago Silva standing out. Injuries, roster competition, and coaching changes have contributed to this decline.

• Ganso trained with the Fluminense squad and may play against Palmeiras after recovering from a thigh edema. He’s seen as a potential creative solution after three straight losses.

• Coach Renato Gaúcho explained that Lezcano and Lavega are not playing due to adaptation issues and daily adjustments needed in training. Despite high expectations and investment, they remain in development.

Fortaleza

• Without Lucero (suspended), Fortaleza will have Adam Bareiro and Deyverson competing for the starting striker role against Bragantino. Midfielder Emmanuel Martínez is also suspended for Saturday’s match.

• Danilo Barbosa was released by Botafogo after losing space to new signings and is now being targeted by Fortaleza and Atlético-MG.

• Fortaleza is considering selling over 50% of its SAF stake to a majority partner to attract new investments, following difficulties in securing minority investors, according to CEO Marcelo Paz.

Grêmio

• Grêmio extended Martin Braithwaite’s contract until the end of 2027; the Danish striker is the club’s top scorer in 2025.

• Grêmio is targeting striker Carlos Vinicius, formerly of the Premier League, who hasn’t scored in a year, to bolster their attack.

• Grêmio formed a partnership with Marreco Futsal to expand youth talent scouting and transition futsal athletes to field soccer.

Internacional

• Inter sold center-back Kaique Rocha to Casa Pia (Portugal) for €400,000 after just one match in his second stint at the club.

• Enner Valencia was booed by Internacional fans, but coach Roger defended him, urging patience during his goal drought.

• Wesley acknowledged interest from U.S. clubs but affirmed his focus remains on Internacional.

Juventude

• Juventude needs a swift emotional and tactical response after a heavy defeat to win its postponed matches and escape the relegation zone. Coach Claudio Tencati is planning tactical changes and focusing on direct competitors.

Mirassol

• In its Série A debut, Mirassol remains unbeaten against the four big São Paulo clubs, collecting 10 out of 12 possible points. They beat Santos, Corinthians, and São Paulo and drew with Palmeiras.

• Paulinho, former player and Mirassol football executive, rejected offers from Qatar, Corinthians, Santos, and Sport to help the club qualify for international competitions. Mirassol is 7th in the table with 21 points from 15 games.

Palmeiras

• Palmeiras showed interest in Mexican midfielder Marcel Ruiz (24), but Toluca demands €10–12 million (R$65–78 million) for his release.

• Abel Ferreira said his contract renewal with Palmeiras until 2027 has been ready since January, pending final adjustments.

• Five Palmeiras U-20 players — Aranha (GK), Gilberto (RB), Robson (CB), Erick Belé, and Riquelme Fillipi (forwards) — were called up for Brazil’s U-20 friendlies and are being observed for 2026.

Santos

• Former player Paulinho revealed he turned down an offer from Santos to lead football operations, choosing instead to remain technical coordinator at Mirassol to complete his cycle there.

• Santos players Gabriel Bontempo (midfielder, 20) and Luca Meirelles (forward, 19) were called up to Brazil’s U-20 team for friendlies against Paraguay as part of final World Cup preparation.

• Santos signed Paraguayan attacking midfielder Gustavo Caballero (23) until July 2028; he arrived in Brazil for medical exams before the official announcement.

São Paulo

• São Paulo is prioritizing a versatile right-back due to financial constraints and a lack of depth in the squad.

• Right-back Maik has recovered from a thigh injury and resumed full training with São Paulo.

• João Moreira, loaned out by São Paulo until January 2026, was called up for FC Porto's preseason in Austria and may debut for the team.

Sport Recife

• Coach Daniel Paulista hinted at changes for Sport's match against Vitória and may start midfielder Hyoran, who is fit again and back on the bench, as the club looks to escape the bottom of the table.

• Newly presented defender Ramon Menezes emphasized his maturity after overcoming injuries and expressed commitment to honor the club's investment.

• With only 3 points in 13 matches (7.7% success rate), Sport has a 94% relegation risk in the Brasileirão, facing the worst campaign in points-era history and needing to multiply its performance sevenfold to avoid the drop.

Vasco

• Puma Rodríguez is close to leaving Vasco before his contract ends after falling out of favor under coach Fernando Diniz; both parties are negotiating a release.

• Forward GB suffered a left thigh injury and will miss 3–4 weeks of action, affecting Vasco’s matches in the Brasileirão, Copa do Brasil, and Sudamericana.

• Thiago Mendes remains out for the match against Del Valle as he continues physical conditioning. David is a doubt after muscle cramps against Grêmio.

Vitória

• Vitória finalized the signing of midfielder Matías Sepúlveda for €1.03 million (R$5.6 million), with a three-year contract.

• Midfielder Pepê rejected an offer from Cuiabá, choosing to stay at Vitória, backed by coach Fábio Carille, who trusts in his recovery despite a recent suspension and inconsistent form.

• Vitória will be without Osvaldo (suspended), Fabri, and Néris (injured), along with newly signed players still in conditioning, for the match against Sport; Willian Oliveira returns from suspension.