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

Atlético-MG

• Atlético-MG starts the second half of the season aiming to improve finishing, strengthen the midfield, and count on Cuello and Arana’s return to stay strong in competitions.

• Dudu, from Atlético-MG, could face suspension for insults against Leila Pereira on social media after his controversial departure from Palmeiras.

• Guilherme Arana is cleared by Atlético-MG’s medical staff and is available again for the Brasileirão.

Bahia

• Rogério Ceni reaffirms his commitment to Bahia and says he plans to fulfill his contract until the end of 2027.

• Unbeaten at Arena Fonte Nova for almost two months, Bahia begins a sequence of three home matches, defending one of the best home records in Série A.

• Rogério Ceni foresees a challenging second half for Bahia, with four simultaneous competitions, and warns of possible disappointments under the tight, knockout-heavy schedule.

Botafogo

• Davide Ancelotti, 35, son and assistant of Carlo Ancelotti, starts his first experience as a head coach at Botafogo, with permission to also work for the Brazilian national team at the 2026 World Cup. The CBF supports the hire, seeing his adaptation to Brazilian football as important.

• Botafogo raised about R$ 503 million in 2025 from selling six players, with Luiz Henrique to Zenit as the most lucrative deal. The club is also monitoring goalkeeper John, targeted by English clubs.

• Manchester United and Everton are monitoring Botafogo goalkeeper John, but no formal offers have been made yet. The club extended his contract until 2028 after his highlights in the Libertadores and Brasileirão.

Bragantino

• Ecuadorian defender Léo Realpe, signed in 2020 by Red Bull Bragantino, was permanently transferred to Famalicão in Portugal after a loan, ending his contract with the club.

• Attacking midfielder Pedrinho, from Red Bull Bragantino’s U20, returns after four months out due to an accident, joining the team for the match against São Bento.

• Forward Lucas Barbosa returns to Red Bull Bragantino training after a minor thigh injury against Bahia and is available for the match against Corinthians.

Ceará

• Ceará faces Sport on Wednesday (9th) at Ilha do Retiro, with a positive record in the Copa do Nordeste matchup: in 11 games, 5 wins, 2 draws, and 4 losses, despite struggling away from home in 2025.

• Ceará raised R$ 41 million from player sales in the first half of 2025, with Erick Pulga as the club’s biggest transfer ever, sold to Bahia for R$ 12.3 million.

• Ceará officially terminated Jorge Recalde’s contract, and he is expected to be announced soon by Libertad in Paraguay.

Corinthians

• Igor Coronado terminated his contract with Corinthians after demanding unpaid wages and was officially announced by Sharjah FC in the UAE.

• Corinthians ended negotiations with Biel from Sporting after the Portuguese side rejected the club’s proposals.

• Carlos Vinícius, a 30-year-old striker currently a free agent, was offered to Corinthians, who began talks to assess a possible signing.

Cruzeiro

• Cruzeiro will have a leaner transfer window, focusing on targeted, young signings with lower investments.

• Cruzeiro beat Banfield in a friendly with intensity and squad tests, but still shows a need for adjustments ahead of the Brasileirão’s return.

• Cruzeiro signed midfielder Cauan Baptistella, a standout from the U20 team, on a five-year deal after interest from European clubs.

Flamengo

• Filipe Luís faces crucial decisions at Flamengo before the match against São Paulo, such as handling Pedro’s situation, replacing Gerson and Pulgar, and naming a new captain.

• Internal crisis reveals wear and tear between José Boto and Flamengo, with reinforcement vetoes by Bap, player tensions, and contested decisions.

• Flamengo pulled out of signing Mikey Johnston after internal pressure and negative fan reaction, canceling his move to Brazil.

Fluminense

• Fluminense 2 x 1 Al-Hilal, Casa Fluminense, Club World Cup highlights.

• Fluminense is expected to maintain its three-center-back system, with Renê replacing the suspended Freytes and Hércules stepping in for Martinelli. Samuel Xavier is doubtful at right-back, with Guga as a possible substitute.

• Renato Gaúcho celebrates Fluminense’s strong Club World Cup run and responds to criticism about lacking study, emphasizing he earned his titles on merit. Even Abel Ferreira praised him, as the coach remains confident ahead of the Chelsea clash.

• With the smallest budget among semifinalists, Fluminense surprises at the Club World Cup by knocking out favorites like Inter Milan and Al-Hilal. The only Brazilian left, the team will face Chelsea as underdogs.

Fortaleza

• Despite Chilean rumors, Fortaleza has made no new contacts or offers for Rodrigo Echeverría, and no negotiations are underway.

• Rosario Central began talks with Fortaleza to repatriate defender Gastón Ávila, seeking to end his loan early and then negotiate with Ajax, which holds his rights.

• Fortaleza requested the return of 20-year-old midfielder Amorim from Athletic after 27 games, three goals, and two assists in Série B.

Grêmio

• Grêmio restarts the season in the Recopa Gaúcha looking to improve defense, midfield creativity, and attacking efficiency for the second half.

• Felipe Carballo has not yet returned to Grêmio due to bureaucratic issues with his move but is expected back this week.

• Recovered from injury, Miguel Monsalve resumes competition with Cristaldo for the attacking midfield spot at Grêmio.

Internacional

• Internacional defeated Brasil de Farroupilha 3-1 in a training game with key returns as they prepare for the Brasileirão’s comeback.

• Roger Machado stresses the urgent need for a turnaround in the Brasileirão, values first-half achievements, and sees improvement for Inter with player returns and tactical tweaks.

• Inter targets Argentine midfielders Alan Rodríguez and Juan Portilla to replace Fernando, out injured until November, seeking a reinforcement with specific midfield traits.

Juventude

• Juventude secured midfielder Lucas Fernandes, who arrives for medicals and to sign, fulfilling a request from coach Claudio Tencati. The club also looks for more reinforcements, like forward Gabriel Veron and an experienced goalkeeper after Jean Carlos’s departure.

• Juventude beat their U20 side 5-1 in a training match with three different lineups, goals from Jadson, Batalla, Gilberto, and Matheus Babi. The team continues preparing for the Brasileirão with another test against Esportivo.

Mirassol

• Danilo Augusto, Mirassol’s performance coordinator, highlights how his career took off working eight years with Rogério Ceni, building a strong friendship. He recalls memorable moments, like the Flamengo team talk, and values his roots in ABC Paulista.

• Newcomer Yago Felipe says he’s adapted and motivated at Mirassol after an invitation from Paulinho and Juninho Antunes, praising the team’s style and his recent starts. He also credits coach Rafael Guanaes for tactical planning.

• Mirassol doesn’t play in Brasileirão’s 13th round due to Fluminense’s Club World Cup semifinal and returns in round 14 against Palmeiras. The team, in 9th place, will have two matches rescheduled and resumed training after 15 days off.

Palmeiras

• Defender Bruno Fuchs, 25, is set to be bought by Palmeiras for €3.5 million (R$22 million) after impressing on loan from Atlético-MG.

• Palmeiras is close to signing Paraguayan striker Ramón Sosa, 25, from Nottingham Forest, willing to invest part of the €55 million (around R$355 million) already spent on attacking signings in 2025.

• Estêvão, 18, ended his Palmeiras stint with 83 matches and was sold to Chelsea for €61.5 million (about R$357 million) after standing out with 27 goals.

Santos

• Luca Meirelles leads the Brasileirão U20 scoring chart with 12 goals in 12 games and praised Santos’s team-first approach in their quest for a quarterfinal spot.

• Santos decided not to buy forward Ronald Perlaza, 20, who returned to Aucas after playing in the U20 team; the club opted not to pay the US$1 million fee.

• Cleber Xavier stated that Neymar should play the full 90 minutes against Flamengo and highlighted his training progress and focus on returning to the Brazilian national team.

São Paulo

• São Paulo has not yet formalized Luis Zubeldía’s contract termination with the CBF’s BID, as financial details are being settled before the official release.

• Casemiro sued São Paulo, claiming R$2.04 million for unpaid labor dues and image rights.

• Forward Lucas Ferreira has a minor muscle injury and will be re-evaluated before the match against Flamengo.

Sport Recife

• Sport and Cerro Porteño advanced talks for a loan deal for Fabrício Domínguez, but the player also draws interest from Greece; a decision should come soon.

• Defender Renzo remains out of Sport’s plans, training separately. His staff wants to move him abroad, but no offers have materialized yet; his contract runs until December 2025.

• Sport is close to signing Uruguayan striker Ignacio Ramírez, 28, from Newell’s Old Boys, who was on loan at Everton (Chile). He is expected to arrive on loan and watch the Copa do Nordeste match against Ceará.

Vasco

• Thiago Mendes signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Vasco after quick negotiations, supported by Fernando Diniz and goalkeeper Léo Jardim. The former Lyon and Lille midfielder arrives with expectations to start.

• Adson suffered a new fracture in his right tibia during Vasco training and will need surgery, sidelining him again. He had already faced issues with the same leg and played little in 2025 due to injuries.

• Vasco approved Sport’s loan offer for Lucas Oliveira, with the final decision up to the defender. He played only seven matches for the club in 2025.

Vitória

• Vitória and Confiança meet this Tuesday (8th) at 9:30 PM at Barradão for the Copa do Nordeste quarterfinals.

• After Wellington Rato’s departure, Matheuzinho returns to wearing Vitória’s number 10 jersey, reclaiming the number from the 2023 promotion campaign.

• Wellington Rato was loaned by Vitória to Goiás until the end of 2025, with salary sharing between clubs and an automatic renewal if Goiás earns promotion to Série A.