What Happened in Brazilian Soccer Yesterday (Wednesday, September 3nd, 2025)

Atlético-MG

• Rubens Menin celebrated on social media the return of Jorge Sampaoli to Atlético-MG, but fans were divided between excitement and demands for reinforcements.

• Jorge Sampaoli led his first training session since returning to Atlético-MG, reunited with former players, and began preparing for the derby against Cruzeiro in the Copa do Brasil.

• With Sampaoli’s arrival, Atlético-MG reaches its fourth coach in two years under SAF, highlighting the club’s struggle to maintain long-term stability in management.

Bahia

• Confiança 1x4 Bahia, Copa do Nordeste highlights. Bahia crushed Confiança 4-1 away, with goals from Lucho Rodríguez, Willian José, Rodrigo Nestor, and Rezende. The team is now very close to winning the Copa do Nordeste 2025 and can even afford to lose by two goals in the return leg at Fonte Nova.

• Bahia lost 3-1 to América-MG in the U-17 Brasileirão, extending their winless run to 11 matches and remaining in 18th place with just 9 points in 17 rounds.

Botafogo

• Midfielder Kauan Lindes, 21, was loaned by Botafogo to Athletic until the end of the Campeonato Mineiro. Signed permanently in 2024, the player is contracted until 2030 with a €20 million release clause and already has seven appearances and one assist for the first team.

• Former Botafogo midfielder Jair was not registered by Nottingham Forest for the Europa League group stage, despite being part of the season’s debut squad. Meanwhile, John and Igor Jesus were included in the 22-man list for the competition.

Bragantino

• Juninho Capixaba and Andres Hurtado returned to training and are available for Red Bull Bragantino after completing their physical transition program.

Ceará

• Introduced as Ceará’s fifth signing, striker Lucca praised his admiration for Pedro Raul, expressed his desire to learn from him, and stressed he could play alongside him in attack.

• After a knee injury against Palmeiras, Matheus Bahia began recovery transition at Ceará and is expected to return to training with the squad next week after missing four matches.

Corinthians

• Five Corinthians players — Félix Torres, Hugo Souza, José Martínez, Memphis Depay, and Romero — were called up for their national teams for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers during this FIFA break.

• Corinthians renewed Gui Negão’s contract until 2030, raising his release clause from R$ 40 million to R$ 140 million, the highest among recent youth promotions.

• Yuri Alberto recovered from hernia surgery, returned to group training, and, along with Matheuzinho, was cleared by the Corinthians medical staff.

Cruzeiro

• Cruzeiro introduced new signings Kauã Moraes, Keny Arroyo, and Ryan Guilherme, and began preparations for the derby against Atlético-MG, while monitoring Wanderson, still sidelined with knee pain.

• Pedro Lourenço presented Kauã Moraes at Cruzeiro, defended the buyout signing from Athletico-PR, and jabbed at the rival: “We didn’t steal anything, we just paid the player’s clause.”

• Top scorer of the Brasileirão with 15 goals, Kaio Jorge now has 17 for Cruzeiro in the competition and, if he maintains his pace, could enter the club’s all-time Top 10 scorers in the league era, nearing Fred and Wellington Paulista.

Flamengo

• Flamengo youth director Alfredo Almeida explained the departures of Matheus Gonçalves, Lorran, and Shola as decisions related to opportunities, playing style, and the pursuit of growth outside their comfort zone.

• Wallace Yan, after shining in the Club World Cup, lost playing time at Flamengo with Samuel Lino’s arrival and Pedro’s recovery, but seeks to earn minutes again under Filipe Luís.

• Flamengo players used the FIFA break to rest with trips, training, and family moments before regrouping on Friday.

Fluminense

• Fluminense renewed the contract of 18-year-old forward Riquelme Felipe, developed by “Esquadrilha 07.” Despite losing space under Renato Gaúcho after a knee injury, he remains in the club’s plans.

• Left-back Leo Jance celebrated the chance to train with Brazil’s national team at Granja Comary, calling it a “unique” learning experience. Alongside him, midfielder Gustavo Dohmann also joined sessions, showing Fluminense’s commitment to valuing its young talents.

• Fluminense attempted to sign defender Joaquim from Tigres but withdrew due to the high price tag and the returns of Thiago Silva and Ignácio. The club also approached Nino, but Zenit refused to negotiate.

Fortaleza

• Fortaleza agreed to sign Martín Palermo, 51, former Olimpia coach and 2024 Clausura champion. His contract runs until the end of the year with an option to extend until 2026.

• Free of pain after nearly five months sidelined, Moisés is set to train without restrictions this Thursday (4) and could be available for the match against Vitória on the 13th.

Grêmio

• At 37 and out of action since May, Willian joined Grêmio, maintaining good physical shape with a personal trainer. He is ready to start training and sign a contract until December 2026.

• Grêmio apologized after a marketing controversy promising reinforcements through a “fan drive,” clarifying the campaign had ended though negotiations continue.

• Grêmio closed the transfer window with seven signings, including Willian, and six departures, reinforcing the squad for the Brasileirão with adjustments across all positions.

Internacional

• Thiago Maia trained normally on Internacional’s return, Mercado progressed in recovery, and the team began preparing to face Palmeiras in the Brasileirão.

• Internacional ended the transfer window with nine departures, including Wesley, and just three signings, highlighting the financial need for balance.

• Striker Enner Valencia has gone nearly five months without scoring for Internacional, with Ecuador’s coach blaming the team’s performance for his drop in form.

Juventude

• Juventude ended the transfer window with a major overhaul, adding reinforcements such as Jandrei, Gabriel Veron, and Thiago Carpini to strengthen the squad and goalkeeping. Several players and former coach Claudio Tencati departed, balancing the roster and addressing weak spots. The club now aims for consistency to avoid relegation danger in Série A.

Mirassol

• With multimillion-dollar investments in its training center, stadium, and cutting-edge technology, Mirassol has stood out in Série A, surprising by beating major São Paulo clubs. The team remains focused on long-term planning, targeting survival in the top flight and potential international competitions.

Palmeiras

• Palmeiras will profit around R$ 16.7 million from Wesley’s transfer to Al-Rayyan in Qatar, thanks to its share of economic rights and FIFA’s solidarity mechanism.

• Despite having the 8th-worst home attack in the Brasileirão (13 goals in 10 matches), Palmeiras leads as the best away team and seeks to improve offensive output at home in upcoming rounds.

• Abel Ferreira blocked midfielder Maurício’s departure, who was targeted by Internacional, ensuring he remains a key figure for Palmeiras this season.

Santos

• Santos will receive about €320,000 (R$ 2 million) from John’s transfer to Nottingham Forest, corresponding to 4% under FIFA’s solidarity mechanism, since the goalkeeper was trained at the club.

• Santos confirmed defender Gil’s departure, with the termination registered in the CBF BID on Wednesday (03), ending his spell at the club after 68 matches.

• Santos sold defender Diego Borges to ZTE FC in Hungary after deciding he would not feature in the first team, while retaining a percentage of his rights.

São Paulo

• Oscar, Arboleda, and Luiz Gustavo returned to training with São Paulo during this FIFA break, with Oscar being the highlight after recovering from three fractured vertebrae.

• São Paulo rejected a US$ 3.5 million (R$ 19 million) offer from CSKA Moscow for 18-year-old attacking midfielder Henrique Carmo, choosing to keep the young talent.

• Defender Lucas Loss, 18, left São Paulo to sign with Danish club Midtjylland for €200,000 (about R$ 1 million).

Sport Recife

• Christian Rivera trained separately due to muscle fatigue but should return on Friday (5), while Rafael Thyere advances in his recovery and could feature against Bragantino.

• Thiago Gasparino praised Sport Recife’s transfer window with 11 arrivals and 12 departures, discussed possible negotiations involving Gonçalo Paciência, and expressed confidence in Daniel Paulista’s continuity, betting on a turnaround starting against Bragantino.

• The window closed with defender Lucas Cunha staying at Sport Recife until the end of the season after failing to secure a transfer.

Vasco

• Vasco secured the stay of Rayan, deemed “irreplaceable” by Fernando Diniz, after selling Luiz Gustavo and João Victor to balance finances. The board also reinforced the squad with Cuesta, Robert Renan, Andrés Gómez, Matheus França, and Thiago Mendes, fulfilling key requests from the coach.

• Vasco rebuilt its defense after having the most goals conceded in Série A, signing Carlos Cuesta and Robert Renan to replace João Victor and Luiz Gustavo. Lucas Freitas gained more space, while Maurício Lemos remains out of Diniz’s plans.

• Vasco changed its transfer strategy, prioritizing loans of young prospects with potential and involving Fernando Diniz directly in negotiations. The club signed five reinforcements, kept Rayan, and strengthened both defense and attack despite financial limitations.

Vitória

• In the U-15 squad, No. 10 Guilherme Almeida from Rio de Janeiro, a left-footed, skilled, fast, and dribbling midfielder already sponsored by Nike, has been drawing attention for his talent and standout performances.

• On Friday, Vitória U-20 faces Bahia in the Copa do Nordeste U-20 semifinals at 3 p.m. at Joia da Princesa.

• Left-back Claudinho from Vitória will face judgment at the STJD this Thursday (4) for a red card while playing for Criciúma. He could receive a 1-3 match suspension, which would apply immediately with Vitória.