What Happened in Brazilian Soccer Yesterday (Monday, September 9, 2025)

Atlético-MG

• Sampaoli promises to give special attention to Atlético-MG’s youth academy and may give opportunities to players like Iseppe and Veneno, repeating what he did in his first stint at the club.

• Sampaoli has been registered with the CBF BID, will debut for Atlético-MG in the derby against Cruzeiro, and may have Lyanco back to try to overturn the disadvantage in the Copa do Brasil.

• Hulk is going through a fluctuating phase at Atlético-MG, with 77.7% of post-Mineiro goals coming from set pieces, while Sampaoli promises to evaluate the best way to use him match by match.

Bahia

• Jean Lucas returns from Bolivia with the National Team on Wednesday morning and will be at Maracanã, but his presence against Fluminense will depend on physical wear; if unavailable, Acevedo is the likely substitute.

• Bahia has four players in physical transition: Kanu, Caio Alexandre, Erick, and Ruan Pablo advanced to field training, while Erick Pulga and Ademir remain in the medical department.

• Sidney, 19, highlighted Rogério Ceni’s support and trust in his work with Bahia’s youth system, stressing that training with the senior squad makes adaptation to the game model easier.

Botafogo

• Kaio Pantaleão and Barboza form Botafogo’s most solid defensive duo in 2025, conceding an average of only 0.57 goals in seven games. Back from injuries, they are key weapons for the decisive Copa do Brasil clash against Vasco.

• In leaked audio, Carlos Augusto Montenegro stated that Botafogo will remain under Eagle Football, with or without John Textor, rejecting a move of the SAF to a company in the Cayman Islands. Despite the legal dispute, he hopes for an agreement that keeps Textor in charge.

• Presented by Botafogo, defender Gabriel Bahia denied suspicions of match manipulation after receiving cards in Série B, saying he was “caught by surprise” and that “it is not in his nature.” Loaned from Volta Redonda until 2026, he will wear number 26 and can be bought for US$ 1 million if performance goals are met.

Ceará

• Fernandinho and Matheus Bahia have left the medical department and are already training normally, while Lourenço returned after a virus; Rafael Ramos and Luiz Otávio remain in recovery at Ceará.

Corinthians

• Corinthians renewed defender Gustavo Henrique’s contract, keeping him at the club until December 31, 2027.

• Corinthians renewed full-back João Vitor (Jacaré)’s contract until October 2029, with a release clause of R$ 72 million for Brazil and €100 million (R$ 638 million) for abroad.

• Corinthians prepares for the decisive Copa do Brasil quarterfinal second leg against Athletico-PR, with the team scheduled to regroup on Sunday.

Cruzeiro

• The CBF appointed FIFA referee Rafael Klein for Cruzeiro vs Atlético-MG in the Copa do Brasil; he has already officiated Cruzeiro victories and Atlético-MG’s penalty shootout win over Flamengo.

• Cruzeiro is keeping its lineup secret for the derby but should start with Matheus Pereira and Wanderson, while Kaio Jorge is doubtful and may be replaced by Gabigol.

• Cruzeiro will charter a flight to bring Fabrício Bruno directly from Rio after Brazil’s match in Bolivia to ensure the defender plays in the Copa do Brasil derby against Atlético-MG.

Flamengo

• Filipe Luís may become the first coach since 2011 to start and finish a season at Flamengo, with a 74.3% win rate and trophies won.

• Flamengo signed four reinforcements but did not advance for a goalkeeper, center-back, or striker; for 2026, the priority will be a backup for Rossi and keeping the core lineup.

• Flamengo prioritizes renewing Filipe Luís’ contract until 2026, has already made an offer, and awaits his response, with finances being the only hurdle.

Fluminense

• Several Fluminense players have contracts expiring in December 2025. Guga, who replaced Samuel Xavier as starter, awaits renewal talks. Defender Manoel, 35, accepted a wage cut this year but remains the fourth choice. Midfielder Nonato, on loan from Santos and currently a starter, may negotiate a permanent move but no deal is in place. Youth players Davi Alves, Pedro Henrique, Luiz Guilherme, Cristyan Oliveira, and Lucas Felipe are also nearing the end of their contracts.

• Fluminense’s SAF proposal includes an initial R$ 500 million investment, assumption of R$ 871 million in debt, and a total investment of R$ 6.9 billion over 10 years. A fund with 40 Tricolor investors would own 65% of the SAF, while the association retains 35%.

• Fluminense extended defender Davi Schuindt’s contract until December 2028. The 21-year-old, developed at Xerém, debuted professionally in 2025 and has four senior matches.

Fortaleza

• Martín Palermo was presented at Fortaleza and revealed he spoke with Vojvoda before accepting the challenge; he expressed confidence in the squad and targets victory against Vitória on Saturday (13) to start the team’s recovery.

• Martín Palermo led his first training session at Fortaleza, stressing he wants to inspire players with enthusiasm to regain confidence and escape the relegation zone. The next match will be against Vitória at Arena Castelão.

Grêmio

• Willian, Grêmio’s new 37-year-old signing, says he is physically fit and ready to debut in the Gre-Nal derby.

• Grêmio rejected a €15 million offer from Shakhtar for 17-year-old midfielder Gabriel Mec, aiming for a higher fee for the jewel.

• Midfielder Felipe Carballo, on loan from Grêmio to Portland Timbers, suffered a ligament rupture and is out for the 2025 season.

Internacional

• Roger Machado awaits the return of reinforcements and recovery from injuries to define Internacional’s lineup against Palmeiras in the Brasileirão.

• Internacional monitors Ricardo Mathias, who has been inconsistent in the league, to assess his market value and potential transfer.

• Most Internacional players are contracted until 2025–2028, with coach Roger Machado renewed until 2026. Some players are on loan or pending renewal decisions.

Juventude

• Juventude began the training week preparing for the match against Flamengo, with closed sessions and awaiting defender Wilker Ángel’s return from Venezuela duty. The team will have at least two changes, with Abner and Daniel Giraldo out, while Lucas Fernandes, Juan Sforza, and Negueba are available.

Mirassol

• Mirassol announced the signing of midfielder Guilherme Marques, 34, formerly of Changchun Yatai, who had been inactive since 2024 due to knee surgery. A Paraíba do Sul native with stints in Europe, Goiás, and China, he is the club’s fourth reinforcement for the Brasileirão.

• Paulinho, former midfielder and Corinthians idol, became Mirassol’s football executive in 2024, applying studies and training since 2022 to prepare for management. He emphasizes closeness to players, staff, and employees, prioritizing courage and humility. He declined coaching offers to remain an executive and remains loyal to Mirassol despite offers from Brazil and abroad. His goals are to stay in Série A, qualify for international tournaments, and eventually return to a World Cup as an executive.

Palmeiras

• Zenit offered €15 million (about R$ 95 million) for Riquelme Fillipi, but Palmeiras and the player’s staff are considering keeping him until the end of the season.

• Palmeiras were eliminated from the U-17 Club World Cup after losing to Barcelona on penalties following a 2–2 draw in the semifinal.

• Palmeiras are monitoring midfielder Ezequiel Barco from Spartak Moscow, valued at around R$ 110 million, for a potential 2026 signing.

Santos

• Santos are negotiating the signing of Algerian striker Billal Brahimi, formerly of Nice, on a two-year deal after his release in France.

• Ignacio Pereira, Santos U-15 top scorer, was once again called up to Argentina’s U-15 squad and is training in Buenos Aires for the Liga Evolución in Paraguay.

• Santos’ strikers are going through a 140-day goal drought, increasing coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda’s concerns for the Brasileirão.

São Paulo

• São Paulo sold Henrique Carmo to CSKA Moscow for up to €7.5 million (about R$ 45 million), keeping 25% of his economic rights.

• Striker Vincent Aboubakar wants to close a deal with São Paulo quickly, accepting a salary reduction to about R$ 1.4 million per month.

• São Paulo are monitoring Pablo Maia’s possible €15 million (R$ 90 million) transfer to Saudi Arabia, motivated by financial needs.

Sport Recife

• Sport hold a historical advantage over RB Bragantino (10 wins in 22 matches), but have not won away in Bragança Paulista since 2013, with only two victories in nine visits.

• Lucas Lima of Sport leads the Brasileirão yellow card ranking with eight in 18 matches and has already been suspended twice; under internal policy, he will be fined after the last card received in the celebration against Vasco.

Vasco

• Robert Renan and Matheus França will be on the bench against Botafogo in the Copa do Brasil, as coach Diniz trusts the starters and avoids risking the new signings on synthetic turf. Both arrive with expectations but should only gradually gain playing time.

• Vasco may have Paulo Henrique, Tchê Tchê, and Paulinho back against Botafogo, while Thiago Mendes is still a concern. Jair and Adson are out for the season with serious injuries.

• Diniz will have to test defensive formations: against Botafogo, Hugo Moura and Lucas Freitas should start, as Cuesta is unavailable and Robert Renan is not yet ready. In the Brasileirão, Cuesta will debut against Ceará, with the starting spot undecided until the Flamengo derby.

Vitória

• Vitória advanced in its SAF restructuring after an online meeting with CSMV Advogados, discussing necessary statutory changes for legal and governance compliance. The committee expects to finalize technical work next week and submit the changes to the board.

• Executive director Gustavo Vieira considered Vitória’s transfer window satisfactory despite heavy activity, explaining that intervention was needed after the initial plan failed. He praised the club’s boldness in turning to the European market and expressed confidence in the squad, processes, and fans to avoid relegation.

• Vitória tried to repatriate José Breno, but his loan contract with Londrina prevents an immediate return; if the Paraná side is eliminated, the midfielder could return.