Where Brazilian Football Stopped (and the Column Didn't!)

Hey there, football fans! Welcome to another edition of our beloved "The Match of the week". I know that many men out there are already missing the Série A pitches, after all, the Brasileirão has decided to take a forced vacation. Well, to the sadness of some and the relief of the bigwigs, the Brazilian Championship is in "strategic pause" mode. The ball will only really start rolling again on July 12, when the 13th round will resume, after this break for the Club World Cup.

Neymar: Father again and the "exchange" that caused a stir

We start with the star player who, even off the field, never leaves the spotlight: Neymar. The forward had another busy week, but this time, the agenda was family-oriented. Last Saturday, July 7, 2025, Mel, Neymar's second daughter with Bruna Biancardi, was born. The little one arrived into the world hours after Helena's first birthday, Neymar's daughter with model Amanda Kimberlly. It's a true "mass production" for the number 10, who now has four children with three different mothers: Davi Lucca (with Carol Dantas), Mavie (with Bruna Biancardi), Helena (with Amanda Kimberlly) and the newcomer Mel. Neymar's personal life is a story in itself, with ups and downs in his relationship with Bruna and even controversies over cheating, such as the one involving influencer Fernanda Campos. The complexity of his family life has become a media spectacle in itself, where each new chapter generates as much buzz as a great goal.

And speaking of buzz, Neymar's name was also involved in a controversy that stirred up Santos fans. Recently, three players from Fúria FC, a Kings League team (a 7-a-side football league presided over by Neymar), trained with the Santos squad. The situation caused some discomfort among fans, who viewed the action with suspicion. Santos, in turn, rushed to clarify that it was just an "exchange of sports" and that there was no intention of hiring these athletes. This situation illustrates how Neymar's figure transcends the field, becoming a media phenomenon where his personal life and business initiatives, such as the Kings League, generate as much or more debate than his sporting performance. The attempt to monetize the player's brand can sometimes conflict with the image and values of a traditional club, generating friction with fans, who see such moves as a distortion of the team's essence.

Transfer Market and Musical Chairs: News on the Benches and Behind the Scenes

While the ball is not rolling in Série A, things are going full steam ahead, especially when it comes to the "musical chairs" of the coaches. Botafogo, for example, made a curious bet and signed Ancelotti's son as its new coach for 2025. Expectations are high to see if the heavy surname will bring the same genius as his father to the Glorioso. After all, in Brazilian football, a good surname can be worth more than a resume full of titles.

At São Paulo, the situation is yet another one of those that only Brazilian football can provide us with. The Tricolor has a bureaucratic issue with Zubeldía that is preventing Crespo from returning as coach. It seems that Zubeldía's contract has not yet been formally terminated, even with the announcement of a "mutual agreement" for his departure. In other words, São Paulo has a coach who has been announced, but who cannot be registered with the CBF, and the former coach is still formally registered with the BID. It's bureaucracy getting in the way of the show, as always. This instability in the coaching staff and the administrative failures are chronic problems that affect the consistency and performance of Brazilian teams. The search for a big "name", even if by family relationship, or the difficulty in resolving basic contractual issues, reveal a reactive and, at times, amateurish management, which directly impacts the planning and development of football in the country.

Fluminense in the World Cup: The Ugly Duckling Flying High (and Renato Gaúcho in Command)

Not everything is controversies and bureaucracy, of course. Fluminense brought some joy to Brazilian fans with its performance in the Club World Cup. The Tricolor, which arrived in the United States with the lowest investment among Brazilians and was nicknamed the "ugly duckling" by its own coach, surprised everyone by defeating millionaire Al-Hilal 2-1, with goals from Martinelli and Hércules, and advancing to the semifinals.

Fluminense's victory is a testament to Renato Gaúcho's ability to adapt and surprise tactically. The coach has been a true chameleon, changing the lineup for the sixth time in the World Cup for the match against Chelsea, which took place on July 7, 2025. The ticket price for the match against Chelsea was even reduced by FIFA to R$72, showing that the excitement is worth every penny. Fluminense's success, despite being the Brazilian club with the lowest investment in the competition, demonstrates that a coach's tactical intelligence and ability to adapt can, indeed, overcome financial disparity. It is a David versus Goliath narrative that challenges the idea that only money can buy success in modern football, highlighting the importance of the human factor and tactical planning in high-level competitions.