What Happened in Brazilian Soccer Yesterday (Thusday, August 26th, 2025)

Atlético-MG

• Atlético-MG receives reinforcements from Hulk, Cuello, and Alonso for the derby against Cruzeiro, while Lyanco may return after injury.

• Dudu faces Cruzeiro again in the Copa do Brasil after a controversial exit and his arrival at Atlético-MG, wearing jersey number 92 as a provocation to the rival.

• Arena MRV celebrates two years and hosts Atlético-MG vs Cruzeiro for the first time on synthetic turf, in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals first leg.

Bahia

• Right-back Lucyan, 19, terminated his contract with Bahia due to adaptation issues and has already signed with São Paulo until June 2028, with an €80 million release clause. Flamengo, which had retained 30% of the player’s rights in his transfer to Bahia, lost this share after the termination.

• Bahia rejected an offer from Rubin Kazan for forward Luciano Juba. CSKA and Spartak Moscow also showed interest, but the club does not plan to negotiate him now.

• Santi Arias was called up by the Colombian National Team for the qualifiers and will miss Bahia’s Copa do Nordeste finals.

Botafogo

• Botafogo adopts caution in the final stretch of the transfer window: monitoring market opportunities but avoiding major investments beyond Danilo’s signing. Regarding departures, offers for players like Léo Linck and Savarino are under analysis, with final decisions expected in the last days.

• Savarino rejected offers from Trabzonspor and Al-Rayyan and will stay at Botafogo, prioritizing his family’s adaptation to Rio de Janeiro. With a contract until 2028, the Venezuelan has already played 87 matches, scoring 18 goals and providing 18 assists, being key in the 2024 titles.

• Botafogo announced the signing of center-back Gabriel Bahia, on loan from Volta Redonda until the end of the 2026 Carioca, with a mandatory purchase clause of US$ 1 million if targets are met. Strong, fast, and good in aerial duels, the 1.90m defender reinforces the right side of the defense and may debut against Vasco in the Copa do Brasil.

Bragantino

• Forward Fernando, 26, from Red Bull Bragantino, recovered from patellar tendonitis after almost six months out, may return against Botafogo this Saturday.

• On Palmeiras’ 111th anniversary, Bragantino lost on penalties 4-3 after a goalless draw, seeing their rival win the 2025 Brazilian U-20 Championship.

• Zenit sent a letter of interest to Red Bull Bragantino to sign Jhon Jhon, who views the move to Russian football positively.

Ceará

• Ceará started preparations to face Juventude on Saturday (29) at Castelão Arena, with hopes for Matheus Bahia’s return and possible comeback of Vina. The team remains in 10th place in Série A with 26 points.

• In Série A, Ceará continues in 10th place with 26 points, focusing on securing permanence and a spot in the Copa Sudamericana, while rivals Fortaleza, Juventude, and Vitória saw their chances decline after defeats in round 21.

Corinthians

• Corinthians remains under FIFA transfer ban due to debt with Santos Laguna, now exceeding R$ 40 million with interest and taxes.

• Corinthians negotiates with Memphis Depay’s representatives to structure payment of his high wages and secure his stay at the club.

• Facing heavy debts and the transfer ban, Corinthians seeks to advance R$ 27 million from LFU and an additional R$ 30 million loan to ease the financial crisis.

Cruzeiro

• Arena MRV celebrates two years and hosts Atlético-MG vs Cruzeiro for the first time on synthetic turf, in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals first leg.

• Gabigol, now at Cruzeiro, returns to Arena MRV as a substitute after losing his spot to Kaio Jorge and dealing with controversies in derbies against Atlético-MG.

• Cruzeiro shows interest in Keny Arroyo, a 19-year-old Ecuadorian forward from Besiktas, who seeks more playing time.

Flamengo

• Pedro overcomes controversy with Filipe Luís, regains protagonism at Flamengo, and enjoys his best form since a serious injury, with seven goals in 10 matches.

• Alex Sandro suffers a left calf injury, misses Flamengo’s clash against Grêmio, and will likely be absent from the Brazilian National Team call-up as well.

• Flamengo negotiates the loan of 19-year-old Lorran to Pisa-ITA, with a mandatory purchase clause based on performance goals.

Fluminense

• Fluminense will have full strength to face Bahia in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals. Renato Gaúcho considers using three center-backs or sticking with 4-3-3. In midfield, Nonato and Lima compete for a spot, while the attack should feature Serna, Canobbio, and Everaldo.

• Santiago Moreno debuted for Fluminense in the defeat to Bragantino, playing just 14 minutes, but is expected to gain more opportunities. The 25-year-old Colombian, formerly of Portland Timbers, signed until 2029 to strengthen the right wing.

Fortaleza

• Fortaleza has the worst campaign in Série A over the last ten rounds, earning just five points in nine matches, with a -8 goal difference. The performance is worse than bottom club Sport and far below rivals Ceará, who collected 11 points in the same span.

• Luquinhas received an offer from Alanyaspor (Turkey), while Fortaleza already rejected loan bids from Pogon Szczecin (Poland) and Torpedo Moscow (Russia).

• Olympiacos is negotiating the signing of center-back Gustavo Mancha from Fortaleza for €4.5 million, potentially rising to €5 million with bonuses. The 21-year-old left-footed defender, 1.90m tall, played 26 matches last season and attracted European interest.

Grêmio

• Mano Menezes acknowledges Flamengo’s superiority but trusts Grêmio’s planning, while Filipe Luís warns about expectations after a historic thrashing.

• Balbuena undergoes ankle surgery and will be out for four months, while Riquelme suffers a muscle injury and will miss at least one month.

• In the last two and a half years, Grêmio signed 10 defensive midfielders, including Arthur and Erick Noriega, reinforcing their midfield.

Internacional

• Roger Machado makes changes in Internacional’s lineup to face Fortaleza and try to end a streak of four consecutive defeats.

• Internacional shows good creativity and finishing but struggles with low offensive efficiency, resulting in an inconsistent campaign and eliminations in cup competitions.

• Óscar Romero has lost his place at Internacional and has gone three months without playing, featuring in only 11 matches this season.

Juventude

• Recently signed goalkeeper Jandrei has already played three matches as a starter for Juventude, establishing himself as a key figure under Thiago Carpini. The team earned four points in those matches, seeking recovery in Série A.

• With Thiago Carpini’s return, 44-year-old Nenê regained protagonism, contributing to six goals in four matches between goals and assists. The veteran midfielder found confidence and rhythm again with the coach’s trust.

Mirassol

• Mirassol signed striker Renato Marques, 21, from América-MG on loan. The player, runner-up top scorer in the 2023 Copinha, has 11 goals in 66 professional matches. He is the club’s third recent reinforcement, joining Bruno Bertinato and Shaylon.

• Mirassol completed the signing of midfielder Guilherme Marques, formerly of Goiás and Changchun Yatai, with a contract until December 2025. At 34, he returns to Brazil after stints in Europe and China.

Palmeiras

• Forward Bruno Rodrigues is expected to return only in 2026 after two serious knee injuries, despite already training with the ball and in physical transition.

• At 18, Palmeiras’ prospect Thalys could be sold for €7 million for 70% of his rights, with Olympiakos and Almería among the interested clubs.

• Midfielder Andreas Pereira was signed by Palmeiras for €10 million (R$ 63 million), on a four-year contract, to strengthen Abel Ferreira’s midfield.

Santos

• Mauricio Copertino was dismissed from Santos’ U-20 team despite a 62% win rate, following a regular performance in the Brasileiro and an early elimination in the Paulistão.

• Zé Rafael returned to full training with Santos, while Basso, Arão, and Neymar remain in internal recovery at the training center.

• Under fan pressure and considering leaving Santos, Guilherme received public support from coach Vojvoda, who highlighted his resilience and urged strength.

São Paulo

• Arboleda and Wendell advance in their injury recovery and near a return for São Paulo before the clash against Cruzeiro.

• São Paulo awaits FIFA clearance to overcome Metalist’s transfer ban and officially announce the signing of Maílton.

• After André Silva’s injury, São Paulo is evaluating market options and may target players such as Aboubakar, Diego Costa, Vardy, Lautaro Díaz, and Paco Alcácer, all free agents or undervalued, as cost-effective reinforcements.

Sport Recife

• Sport is trying to sign left-back Sávio from Remo at the request of Daniel Paulista, but the Pará club will only release him if his release clause is paid.

• Derik Lacerda returns to Sport after suspension and is expected to start against Vasco on Sunday (31), in a crucial Série A round 22 match at Ilha do Retiro.

• Sport received a loan offer with a purchase option from Al Jazira for Rodrigo Atencio, but the financial terms were not accepted. The 22-year-old Argentine remains sidelined while negotiations continue.

Vasco

• Vasco’s football executive Admar Lopes assured that there are no negotiations underway to sell striker Rayan, who has scored 12 goals this season. Despite financial difficulties, the club insists on keeping him, even at coach Fernando Diniz’s request.

• Vasco is negotiating with Pumas for defender Nathan Silva, at around €4 million (R$ 25 million), optimistic about closing before the transfer window ends. The 28-year-old, formed at Atlético-MG, has Diniz’s approval, while the attempt for Joaquim seems discarded.

• Vasco arranged the loan of Argentine midfielder Sforza to Juventude until the end of 2025, as he was not in the plans of the board and coach Diniz. Signed in 2024 for about R$ 25 million, he failed to establish himself and played little for the club.

Vitória

• Left-back Maykon Jesus, on loan from Atlético-MG, will be unavailable for Vitória against his parent club due to contractual restrictions. Only Ramon will be available for the position.

• Vitória’s interim staff is considering the return of defender Camutanga, currently excelling at Remo in Série B, after failing to secure reinforcements in the last transfer window. The player was previously sidelined by Thiago Carpini at the start of the season.

• Vagner Mancini declined Vitória’s invitation to take over after Carille’s departure, stating he is happy at Goiás, Série B leader, and emphasized: “I never had any doubts” about staying in the current project.