What Happened in Brazilian Soccer Yesterday (Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025)

Atlético-MG

• Atlético-MG announced Jorge Sampaoli as the new head coach until 2027, in his second spell at the club, replacing Cuca and aiming for a turnaround this season.

• Mallorca’s sporting director confirmed that Pablo Maffeo, a target of Atlético-MG, will stay at the Spanish club despite recent speculation.

• In his return to Atlético-MG, Sampaoli receives praise for his tactical work on the field but faces criticism for relationship issues behind the scenes, similar to his first stint.

Bahia

• For the Nordestão final against Confiança, Rogério Ceni is expected to field a heavily rotated Bahia: Ronaldo; Gilberto, Gabriel Xavier, and Iago Borduchi; Acevedo (or Rezende), Rodrigo Nestor, and Michel Araújo; Kayky, Tiago, and Willian José. The team will have ten absences due to injuries, call-ups, and registration restrictions.

• Bahia denied rumors and reinforced that there are no ongoing negotiations with Anderson Talisca, despite mutual admiration between player and club.

• After four and a half months of recovery, defender Kanu has begun physical transition at Bahia and is close to returning to action.

Bragantino

• Sport officially confirmed the loan of left-back Luan Cândido from Red Bull Bragantino, with a contract until December 2025, completing its final signing of the transfer window.

Ceará

• Recovered from a knee injury, Matheus Bahia began physical transition at Ceará and is expected to rejoin full training next week.

• Ceará closed the transfer window on a positive note, signing five attacking reinforcements: Zanocelo, Vina, Paulo Baya, Rodriguinho, and Lucca.

• Lourenço recovered from a virus and returned to training with Ceará, preparing for the match against Vasco on September 14.

Corinthians

• Corinthians’ biggest loss in the window was striker Kauê Furquim, 16 years old, whose R$14M release clause was triggered by Bahia; the club took the case to the CNRD, requesting sanctions and up to €50M in compensation.

• In the last transfer window, Corinthians could not register reinforcements due to a FIFA transfer ban from a US$6.145M debt to Santos Laguna; the club scouted players such as Kewin Silva, Victor Sá, and Kaio César but signed none, focusing only on renewals and sales to cut costs.

• Raniele suffered another hamstring injury in his left leg, repeating a previous issue, and will undergo treatment with no set timeline for return.

Cruzeiro

• Tickets for Cruzeiro vs. Atlético-MG in the Copa do Brasil sold out in under two days, with fans complaining of technical issues due to high demand.

• Cruzeiro paid R$10M in release clause and announced left-back Kauã Moraes, formerly of Athletico-PR, on a five-year contract.

• Cruzeiro signed midfielder Ryan Guilherme from Fortaleza on a contract until 2029; he has already been registered with the CBF.

Flamengo

• Pedro overcame controversies, returned to top form at Flamengo, received an offer from Qatar, but became non-transferable with a contract until 2027.

• Flamengo closed the transfer window with a surplus: earned R$378.5M from sales and spent R$277M on reinforcements, including Samuel Lino, the most expensive signing in club history.

• The STJD will attempt to use a bettor’s video confession as evidence against Bruno Henrique, who could face up to a two-year suspension for alleged yellow-card betting manipulation.

Fortaleza

• Forward Guilherme Cachoeira, 23, was loaned by Fortaleza to Athletic to play Série B until the end of the season. A youth product of Vasco and São Paulo, he previously played for CSA, Remo, Brusque, Volta Redonda, Inter de Bebedouro, and Joinville.

• Fortaleza announced the departure of head coach Renato Paiva and his staff. Jair Ventura is the favorite to take charge and should arrive on Thursday.

• After nearly five months sidelined, striker Moisés will return to training with Fortaleza this Thursday (4). He has 19 appearances this season, with four goals and two assists.

Grêmio

• Willian, 37, is close to joining Grêmio after his return from Europe, aiming to reestablish himself as an attacking midfielder in Brazilian football.

• Grêmio signed left-back Enzo Santos from CSA on loan until the end of the season, with a purchase option included.

Internacional

• On loan from Racing, Carbonero has rediscovered his form at Internacional, regained his starting spot, and expressed a desire to stay beyond 2026.

• Coach Roger has demanded a stronger reaction from Internacional to win back the fans; despite the win over Fortaleza, he remains under pressure due to poor form and low attendances at Beira-Rio.

• Internacional will receive R$8.5M from the sale of Alemão to Rayo Vallecano, while keeping 30% of the striker’s economic rights.

Palmeiras

• Palmeiras will receive €4.8M (about R$30M) from Kevin’s transfer to Fulham, thanks to holding 10% of his rights and the FIFA solidarity mechanism.

• Palmeiras had five players called up for Brazil’s U-20 National Team: full-backs Gilberto and Arthur, midfielder Coutinho, and forwards Erick Belé and Luighi, all preparing for the World Cup in Chile.

• Head coach Abel Ferreira, under contract with Palmeiras until 2025 and offered an extension through 2027, was recently approached by Al Ahly of Egypt but showed no interest in leaving.

Santos

• Santos made an official bid to Atlas for defender Matheus Doria to secure defensive cover in case Adonis Frías cannot be registered in time; the offer’s value was not disclosed.

• Santos officially signed Paraguayan defender Alexis Duarte, who agreed to a contract until 2029 and will join after the FIFA international break.

• Santos officially signed Argentine defender Adonís Frías, who signed a deal until December 2028 and will wear the number 98 shirt.

• Santos announced the signing of Argentine striker Lautaro Díaz, arriving on loan from Cruzeiro until July 2026; he will wear the number 21 shirt.

• Santos officially signed midfielder Victor Hugo from Flamengo, on loan until July 2026; he will wear the number 29 shirt.

São Paulo

• São Paulo confirmed the signing of 32-year-old forward Emiliano Rigoni, who returns after spells at Club León (Mexico) and Austin FC (USA).

• São Paulo rejected two loan offers for left-back Patryck, one from an Arab club and another from a Cypriot team, both worth US$100K with a purchase clause under US$1.5M, keeping him in the squad.

• São Paulo failed to sign Marcos Leonardo due to insufficient funds to meet Al Hilal’s demands, ending negotiations.

Sport Recife

• During the FIFA break, head coach Daniel Paulista expects up to three medical reinforcements at Sport: Rafael Thyere, Igor Cariús, and Sérgio Oliveira. The team, bottom of the Brasileirão, returns on September 14 against RB Bragantino, but Luan Cândido will be unavailable due to contract clauses.

• Sport officially signed left-back Luan Cândido on loan from Red Bull Bragantino until December, after a short stint at Grêmio. With him, the club closed the window with 11 signings, including Gabriel Vasconcelos, Ramon, Kévyson, and Ignacio Ramírez.

• Sport will face RB Bragantino with seven players on yellow-card warning: Caíque França, Matheus Alexandre, Kévyson, Zé Lucas, Christian Rivera, Pedro Augusto, and Lucas Lima — the latter already suspended twice and leading the squad with eight yellow cards in 18 matches.

Vitória

• Rodrigo Chagas, who had been interim coach, will be officially named as Vitória’s permanent head coach this Wednesday, after the win over Atlético-MG.

• Coritiba made a bid for Lucas Braga, but Vitória rejected the conditions, leading Coxa to withdraw from negotiations.

• Jean Mota terminated his contract with Vitória and is now a free agent after an underwhelming stint; on loan at Vila Nova, he played 19 matches and scored two goals in 2025.