What Happened in Brazilian Soccer Yesterday (Tuesday, June 24th 2025)

Atlético-MG

• Cuca stated he will follow Atlético-MG’s cost-containment plan, trusts the current squad, and admits new signings only at low cost or after player exits.

• Lyanco ends vacation early, trains ahead of schedule at Atlético-MG, and shows focus and leadership for the decisive phase of the season.

• Atlético-MG is monitoring midfielder Santiago Árias from Cienciano, but faces competition from Emelec and Alianza Lima, prioritizing a replacement after Battaglia’s departure.

Bahia

• Ruan Pablo and Dell, Bahia forwards, played in a Brazil U-17 friendly against Mexico, which ended in a 1–0 loss. A rematch is scheduled for Friday.

• Bahia has six players with contracts until December 2025, including starters like Everton Ribeiro and Rodrigo Nestor, who may renew based on performance, while others like Danilo Fernandes may retire.

• Defender Fredi is seen as the first major product of Bahia’s youth system under the City Group, having joined from Grêmio in 2024, according to director Marcelo Teixeira.

Botafogo

• With a reserve team, Chelsea defeated Espérance 3–0, qualifying second in Group D and set to face Benfica in the Round of 16 on Saturday (28). The winner will face whoever advances from Botafogo vs Palmeiras; PSG vs Inter Miami and Flamengo vs Bayern are also confirmed.

• John Textor denied interest in selling Thiago Almada to Benfica and stated the midfielder will be key for Lyon. The player is currently on loan from Botafogo and will be purchased once Lyon is free from Ligue 1 sanctions.

• Lyon’s relegation to the French second division has impacted Eagle Football’s finances, increasing pressure on Botafogo to sell players to support the holding group. Despite strong performance, financial challenges persist due to Lyon's revenue loss.

Ceará

• Richardson has recovered from surgery and returns to Ceará alongside Aylon, Matheus Bahia, and Gabriel Lacerda. Luiz Otávio remains sidelined and is expected back in four months.

• Coach Léo Condé is fully focused on Ceará’s preparation for the second half of the season, with 16 days of training before facing Sport in the Copa do Nordeste quarterfinals — a crucial phase in the club’s goal of returning to the Brazilian top flight.

• Defensive standout Matheus Bahia believes Ceará can aim for more than just survival, targeting a Copa Sudamericana spot, and emphasized the importance of both the Copa do Nordeste and Série B for 2025 goals.

Cruzeiro

• Pedro Lourenço confirmed that Cruzeiro will sign a center-back and two wingers at Leonardo Jardim’s request to strengthen the squad for the second half of 2025.

• Lucas Silva returned to training early at Cruzeiro, showing commitment ahead of the official squad report.

• Cruzeiro has decided to keep Kaio Jorge for 2025 and will only release him if the full R$400 million termination fee is paid.

Flamengo

• Flamengo 1 x 1 LAFC – Home match, Club World Cup

• Flamengo drew with LAFC in a dull match but maintained its unbeaten run in the Club World Cup, with Wallace Yan standing out among the substitutes.

• The team is mentally preparing and confident to face Bayern in the Club World Cup Round of 16, highlighting the motivation for the big challenge.

• International media praised Arrascaeta’s “masterful” performance in Flamengo’s draw with LAFC.

Fluminense

• Fluminense faces Mamelodi Sundowns this Wednesday at 4 PM and needs a draw to reach the Club World Cup Round of 16. If qualified, they could face River Plate, Internazionale, or Monterrey, depending on the final Group F standings.

• Renato Gaúcho reached 100 wins as Fluminense’s coach, joining a select group with Zezé Moreira, Ondino Vieira, and Abel Braga — the fourth in club history to achieve this milestone.

• Fluminense has already earned around R$100 million in Club World Cup prize money — close to the amount spent during the last transfer window. A win or draw against Mamelodi Sundowns could bring in another R$41 million.

Fortaleza

• Fortaleza showed interest in left-back Enzo Henrique from CSA.

• According to César Luis Merlo, Fortaleza is negotiating to sign 29-year-old midfielder

• Jalil Elias, formerly of Vélez, currently a free agent.

• Fortaleza beat Atlético-MG 3–0 in the U-20 Brazilian Championship, remains unbeaten at home, and temporarily moved to 4th place in the standings.

Grêmio

• Grêmio has eight players with contracts expiring in December 2025, and coach Mano Menezes will decide during the second semester who will remain.

• The club is interested in CSA’s starting left-back Enzo but hasn’t made an official offer.

• An agent confirmed Grêmio’s interest in Emiliano Marcondes, a Danish midfielder with Brazilian nationality, but said no formal negotiations have taken place yet.

Internacional

• Inter is negotiating a loan for goalkeeper Henrique Menke to Como, Italy, to gain experience under coach Fàbregas in Serie A.

• The club is assessing 12 players with contracts ending in 2025 to plan for renewals and reinforcements for the next season.

• Forward Ricardo Mathias has tripled his market value in six months, establishing himself as a major prospect and attracting European interest.

Juventude

• Juventude is finalizing the signing of forward Gabriel Veron, who is leaving Santos. The club is working with Porto on a loan until the end of 2025.

• Rafael Bilu, a forward developed by Corinthians, is Juventude’s new signing to help fight relegation after playing in Série C. He can only be registered starting July 10.

• The club is also negotiating with 31-year-old midfielder Yonatan Rodríguez from Nacional-URU, likely on loan until December, as part of a squad reshuffle.

Mirassol

• Fortaleza’s left-back Felipe Jonatan was loaned to Mirassol until the end of 2025 with a purchase option. He seeks more playing time after limited appearances in 2025.

• Mirassol has also announced other reinforcements and is preparing for the Série A resumption in July.

Sport Recife

• After an undefeated MadCup title in Spain, Sport plans to promote at least seven U-20 players to the senior team, including center-back Riquelme, midfielder Fernandinho, and defensive midfielder Dedé, to strengthen for the Copa do Nordeste.

• Sport has reached an agreement to sign Venezuelan forward Jhon Murillo. He arrives on a free transfer with coach Daniel Paulista’s approval. His agent stated: “We’re finalizing the deal.”

• The club denied any negotiation with Barcelona for midfielder Zé Lucas, despite Spanish media rumors, affirming that he remains a key player.

Vasco

• Vasco has inquired about center-back Samir Caetano, currently at Mazatlán (Mexico), aiming to add experienced reinforcements. At 30, the defender is interested in returning to Brazil and is well-regarded by Vasco’s management.

• The club also made an inquiry about Shakhtar Donetsk forward Pedrinho and is studying a six-month loan with shared salary costs — Vasco would pay R$800,000 and Shakhtar R$400,000. Agent Giuliano Bertolucci may help finalize the deal.

• David and Estrella have been cleared by the medical team and are gradually returning to training. Vasco currently has no injured players.

Vitória

• Midfielder Daniel Jr, 23, returned to Vitória after a loan spell at Portuguesa but is training separately from the main squad and awaits a new opportunity.

• Vitória has released eight players during the FIFA break and could reach ten departures, with Wellington Rato and Carlinhos close to leaving the club.