Flamengo Rushes to Register Valencia and Freitas for Libertadores Quarterfinals

By:Paulo PiresLibertadores EN31/08/2026at 15:30

Tight Deadline in Libertadores: Flamengo Needs to Register Valencia and Freitas by Friday for Quarterfinals.

Flamengo is in a race against time to ensure its new signings, Anthony Valencia and Joaquin Freitas, can participate in the Copa Libertadores. The club has until this coming Friday, September 4th, to register the players for the continental competition, even though the Brazilian football transfer window extends until the 11th of the same month.

The urgency stems from the proximity of the quarterfinals, where Rubro-Negro will face Independiente del Valle (ECU). If the registrations are not completed within the deadline, the Rio-based team will have to play the decisive matches with its current squad.

The absence of Valencia and Freitas would be a significant blow, especially after the recent departure of Gonzalo Plata, who has already left the club.

Signings Arrive to Strengthen the Attack

The search for offensive reinforcements has been a constant for Flamengo during the transfer window, which opened on July 20th. Initially, the club attempted to sign Argentine midfielder Thiago Almada, who opted for River Plate, and made an offer for Luiz Henrique from Zenit (RUS), without success.

Now, attention has turned to Anthony Valencia, from Royal Antwerp (BEL), and Joaquin Freitas, from River Plate (ARG). Both players are already in Rio de Janeiro to undergo medical examinations and sign their contracts. Their arrival aims to fill important gaps in the squad.

Departures and Positioning of New Signings

Flamengo has also confirmed the departure of key players. Gonzalo Plata was sold to Dynamo Moscow (RUS) for a fee between 10 and 12 million euros, approximately R$ 60 to R$ 72 million. Another player who left the club was Wallace Yan, transferred to Red Bull Bragantino.

The expectation is that Anthony Valencia will arrive to fill the void left by Plata in the offensive sector. Joaquin Freitas, meanwhile, is seen as an immediate option for the attack, serving as a potential substitute or alternative for Pedro.

Busy Schedule: Libertadores and Brasileirão in Focus

The Libertadores quarterfinals are rapidly approaching. The first leg against Independiente del Valle is scheduled for September 10th at 9:30 PM (Brasília time) at Estadio Banco Guayaquil in Ecuador. The return match will take place on September 17th at the Maracanã.

Before focusing on the Libertadores, Flamengo has commitments in the Brazilian Championship. On Wednesday, September 2nd, the team coached by Leonardo Jardim will face Mirassol at 7:30 PM at the Maracanã. There is an expectation that Anthony Valencia, being already match-fit, could be included in the squad.

The deadline for registering the new players in the Libertadores is a crucial factor for Flamengo, which aims to advance in the competition at full strength. The club’s management is working intensely to ensure Valencia and Freitas are available for the clashes against Independiente del Valle.

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