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New York Times
2 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Filipe Luis: The Flamengo coach who is making a hard job look easy
As a player, Filipe Luis worked with some of the most influential coaches of the modern era. Diego Simeone, Jose Mourinho, Jorge Jesus: they all left their mark on him, shaped his ideas about football. If one single maxim stuck in his mind, though, it was the one made famous by Luis Aragones, the former Atletico Madrid and Spain manager: 'Win, win and win again,' was how Aragones defined his non-philosophy. No rigid ideological beliefs, no high-mindedness. Just find a way, then repeat. Advertisement 'That's the only path in football,' Filipe Luis said in an interview with at the start of the month. 'I don't consider myself a philosophical guy. I'm very practical. I don't like to set out a big objective beyond winning the next match.' At that point, his Flamengo side had not begun their Club World Cup campaign. They had not yet beaten Esperance, not yet played Chelsea off the park in Philadelphia, not yet finished top of Group D. Had you offered all of that to the club's fans, they'd have snapped your arm off. Had you offered it to Filipe Luis, he'd have told you off for thinking too far ahead. That approach has paid dividends since he took charge of Flamengo's first team eight months ago. It is a notoriously tricky job. Flamengo's fanbase is the biggest in Brazil and probably the most demanding. Some very good managers have been chewed up and spat out over the years. Filipe Luis grew up a Flamengo fan. He played 175 times for the club between 2019 and 2023, winning two Brazilian championships and two Copa Libertadores titles but also tasting the despair that never seems far from the surface. He knew what he was getting into, knew that failing might cast a shadow on the good times. He went for it anyway. And, so far, he has made it all look easy. A left-back of rare poise and grace, Filipe Luis was a fixture of the Atletico Madrid side that lost two Champions League finals to city rivals Real. He played 44 times for Brazil, went to the 2018 World Cup, took home a Copa America winner's medal the following year. Off the pitch, he was an atypical footballer, as well as a journalist's dream. This was a guy who was more comfortable talking about politics, culture and current affairs than he was moaning about referees. 'Cinema moulded my personality,' he told The Guardian in 2021. In a wide-ranging interview with El Mundo in 2017, he shared his views on Catalan separatism, state ownership of football and even science. 'I'm passionate about astrophysics,' he said. 'I need to understand even though I know we will never understand everything.' Even then, he knew he wanted to become a coach. That ambition only came into greater focus at Flamengo. He took on a leadership role under Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus, took it upon himself to analyse opponents and team-mates. 'He was always in his room, watching matches, sending us videos,' former team-mate Gabriel Barbosa recalled in December. Advertisement Things happened fast after he hung up his boots in December 2023. Filipe started off coaching Flamengo's under-17 s but soon got promoted to the under-20s. When Tite — Filipe Luis' old Brazil manager — was fired last September, he was fast-tracked to the first team. He inherited a good side, but one that was too polite, too passive in the final third. That didn't sit right with him. 'I want us to be a team that makes things hard for our opponents,' he said at his unveiling. 'Flamengo have to play in a certain way: always pressuring, always attacking. That's non-negotiable.' He had the advantage of knowing the squad inside-out. Even now, most of Flamengo's players are former team-mates. The changes he made in those first weeks — a higher press, greater urgency, a couple of positional tweaks, more faith in Barbosa and young full-back Wesley — were subtle but impactful. Nine game games into his reign, Flamengo won the Brazilian Cup. The early impressions could not have been more positive. 'He was so well prepared,' says Vinicius Bergantin, Filipe Luis' assistant coach between September 2024 and February 2025. 'He was studious, restless, always thinking about the little details, always wanting to go deeper. He always explained to the players why we were doing certain things, how it fed into his style of play, how it was relevant to the next opponent. Everything made sense.' That chimes with the view of Jose Boto, who arrived as Flamengo's director of football in December and was immediately bowled over. 'I could see his quality from the first moment,' Boto tells The Athletic. 'The first that struck me was his work ethic. He's completely dedicated and works around the clock. He has this need to learn, to understand everything. He also has this wealth of tactical knowledge, which is particularly impressive for someone who retired so recently.' Advertisement On the training ground, Filipe Luis is busy and hands-on. The players feel they can talk to him as a peer. 'He doesn't think he's the sole owner of the truth,' winger Michael said in January. 'He knows how to listen.' Bergantin agrees: 'He's collaborative. He wants to bring out the qualities in every player.' Between 22 January and 9 April, Flamengo went on a 16-match unbeaten run. They won 13 of those games. The sequence took them to the Rio state championship title. The style of play also sparked comparisons with the great Flamengo team of the 1980s. 'We haven't seen football like this for many years,' Andrade, part of the Flamengo side that beat Liverpool in the 1981 Intercontinental Cup, told GloboEsporte. 'They play like we did, always in the opposition half, always looking to hurt the opposition. This is the kind of team Flamengo fans dream about.' Not just Flamengo fans. When Brazil dismissed Dorival Junior in March, many saw Filipe Luis as the ideal replacement. 'People want to see Brazil play like Brazil again, just as our fans wanted to see Flamengo play more like Flamengo,' said Flamengo president Luiz Eduardo Baptista, phlegmatically. 'I don't have the slightest doubt that he'll coach the national team one day. But I know Felipe and I would be surprised if he took on that challenge now.' He didn't. In typical fashion, Flamengo's form then wavered: two underwhelming performances against Argentine side Central de Cordoba left them teetering on the brink of early elimination from the Libertadores. For the first time, Filipe Luis was forced into some crisis management. 'The turbulence is external,' he insisted on 10 May. 'Internally, the players continue to believe, to work, to fight, to learn, to improve. I have complete conviction in what I am doing. I really believe in my work.' Results improved. Flamengo ground out two wins to progress in the Libertadores, made a commanding start to the national championship. When the latter paused for the Club World Cup, Flamengo were top on goal difference. They have scored the most goals in the league and conceded the fewest. Advertisement Their manager, of course, will not have let that form go to his head. Simeone — the first person he texted after the Brazilian Cup win — is an enduring influence; Filipe Luis often quotes the Argentine's 'game by game' mantra. 'I define myself as a coach without memory,' he said in a press conference in November. 'I like to delete everything and go on to the next challenge.' The group stage, that Chelsea result? All in the rear-view. Next up? Bayern Munich and another chance to test himself against a major European team. For those who know him, there is a degree of confidence that we will be seeing a lot more of Filipe Luis on the world stage in the years ahead. 'He has a very clear idea of what he wants,' says Boto. 'I have no doubt that he will soon be seen as one of the top coaches in the world.' Bergantin disagrees, but only slightly. 'I think he already is,' he says.
The Sun
7 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Five little-known stars who could be heading to Premier League after dazzling at the Club World Cup for Brazilian clubs
WITH all four of its clubs through to the second round, Brazil has been enjoying a highly successful Club World Cup. This should not come as a complete surprise. Having a tournament like this - with a chance to have a crack at the European giants - is a dream come true for Brazilian football. 5 5 5 Even so, one thing remains unaltered. The Brazilian game continues to lose its outstanding talents to Europe - and, increasingly, to the Premier League. Estevao, the Palmeiras wonderkid, joins Chelsea after the tournament, and Igor Jesus, the excellent Botafogo centre forward, links up with Nottingham Forest. Gerson, the Flamengo midfielder who was so impressive in the win over Chelsea, appears on the verge of signing for Zenit in Russia - and there is a chance that one of his team-mates may also be on his way across the Atlantic. It was a mistake by Wesley that allowed Chelsea to take the lead last Friday. But the young right back recovered well. Otherwise, he was defensively sound and his quick forward bursts, both down the touchline and cutting infield, were a consistent part of his team's attacking armoury. The player, who turns 22 in September, made his breakthrough two years ago under Jorge Sampaoli, a coach who loves attacking full-backs. Current boss Filipe Luis was a fine left-back in his playing days, and has helped improve the defensive side of his game. Wesley has forced his way into the Brazil squad, something which always increases the transfer value, and Flamengo expect to make a big sale in the summer window. There is Premier League interest from Brighton and Chelsea, but there will be plenty of competition from other European giants. A Flamengo player who has put himself in the shop window earlier than expected is striker Wallace Yan. The club have been bringing the 20-year-old along gently, giving him experience as a late substitute - and now in the USA he has made a real impact, coming off the bench to score against Chelsea and Los Angeles. A rangy figure who can attack from the right or through the middle, he has been running at defences with the nerveless sense of freedom of someone playing a kick-about in the park, and Wolves are said to be interested. With even the biggest Brazilian clubs selling their young stars, one of the ways that they have been becoming more competitive is to buy in from neighbouring countries. In fact, Brazil now treats the rest of South America in the same way that Europe treats Brazil, picking up some of the best talent. An excellent recent example is that of Alvaro Montoro, an 18-year-old Argentine who has just been picked up by Botafogo. The attacking midfielder came through the ranks at home with Velez Sarsfield. His breakthrough came in this year's group stages of the Copa Libertadores, South America's Champions League. His skill and strength of character were quickly apparent as he weighed in with three goals. Botafogo signed him on the eve of the Club World Cup. They have been delighted by his displays in training - and even more with the substitute appearances he has been making during the competition, where he is looking entirely at home in high pressure situations. Great things are expected. 5 One who has been producing great things for a while is Colombia's Jhon Arias, the star man in the Fluminense side. He was not considered a big name in 2021 when he was still at home with Independiente Santa Fe. But Fluminense played against him, liked what they saw and picked him up for a bargain fee. A squat little figure, for the Colombia national side he is often used as a disciplined member of a central midfield trio. For Fluminense he is a right winger with freedom to roam. He combines well, turns and surges at the opposing defence and - and he showed against Ulsan of South Korea, he strikes a mean free-kick. Arias was by far the best Fluminense player in the side that went down 4-0 to Manchester City in the Intercontinental final at the end of 2023. He demonstrated that he could hold his own in such company, and it is surprising that major European clubs did not make a move. Age is against him - he turns 28 in September, and the current market prefers teenagers. But he is so good - and versatile - that someone should surely take a chance. Another Colombian international midfielder who has made his name in Brazil is Richard Rios of Palmeiras. His is a fascinating story. Rios was a futsal player, representing his country in an international tournament in Rio. Flamengo liked what they saw, and offered him an 11-a-side career. After bouncing around between Brazil and Mexico, Palmeiras acquired him in 2023 and he has since become a fixture for club and country. Rangy, classy, dynamic and competitive - sometimes too competitive - Rios had an excellent Copa America last year and is confirming the good impression in the current tournament. He has just turned 25, and Palmeiras expect to make a sale in the summer window, with Manchester United believed to be among the interested parties. 5
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why TIM S.A. Sponsored ADR (TIMB) is a Top Dividend Stock for Your Portfolio
Getting big returns from financial portfolios, whether through stocks, bonds, ETFs, other securities, or a combination of all, is an investor's dream. But for income investors, generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments is your primary focus. Cash flow can come from bond interest, interest from other types of investments, and of course, dividends. A dividend is the distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders; it's often viewed by its dividend yield, a metric that measures a dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases. Based in Rio De Janeiro, TIM S.A. Sponsored ADR (TIMB) is in the Computer and Technology sector, and so far this year, shares have seen a price change of 66.33%. The company is currently shelling out a dividend of $0.46 per share, with a dividend yield of 4.37%. This compares to the Wireless Non-US industry's yield of 3.4% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.6%. Taking a look at the company's dividend growth, its current annualized dividend of $0.86 is up 54.7% from last year. In the past five-year period, TIM S.A. Sponsored ADR has increased its dividend 2 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 9.28%. Any future dividend growth will depend on both earnings growth and the company's payout ratio; a payout ratio is the proportion of a firm's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Right now, TIM's payout ratio is 18%, which means it paid out 18% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend. Earnings growth looks solid for TIMB for this fiscal year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 is $1.37 per share, which represents a year-over-year growth rate of 13.22%. From greatly improving stock investing profits and reducing overall portfolio risk to providing tax advantages, investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons. However, not all companies offer a quarterly payout. For instance, it's a rare occurrence when a tech start-up or big growth business offers their shareholders a dividend. It's more common to see larger companies with more established profits give out dividends. Income investors have to be mindful of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, TIMB is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold). Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report TIM S.A. Sponsored ADR (TIMB) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Reuters
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Palmeiras and Botafogo set to rekindle heated rivalry on global stage
PHILADELPHIA, June 27 (Reuters) - In a nation where bitter football feuds typically simmer across generations, Botafogo and Palmeiras are poised to add another chapter to Brazil's explosive new rivalry when they meet in the last 16 of the Club World Cup on Saturday. The feud, which erupted in 2023, has seen dramatic twists both on and off the pitch. Palmeiras, spearheaded by teenage sensation Endrick, overturned a three-goal deficit to defeat Botafogo 4-3, a result that triggered the Rio club's collapse in the Brazilian championship race. Palmeiras subsequently clinched the league title, sparking tensions that spilled into public exchanges between club officials. Palmeiras president Leila Pereira called Botafogo's owner John Textor "an idiot" and suggested he should be "banned from Brazilian football" after the American alleged referee bias in favor of Palmeiras. The rivalry defies Brazil's traditional city-based football feuds, with Palmeiras hailing from Sao Paulo and Botafogo from Rio de Janeiro. Unlike the century-old feuds of Flamengo-Fluminense or Atletico-Cruzeiro, this cross-country animosity has evolved into a pressure-cooker dynamic, with each encounter carrying heightened stakes. Botafogo exacted revenge in the 2024 Copa Libertadores, eliminating Palmeiras in the round of 16 en route to claiming the continental title. When the two met again in the Brazilian league at Palmeiras' home ground, Botafogo won again and eventually secured a domestic and international double. Since that 2023 defeat, Botafogo have gone unbeaten against Palmeiras in five consecutive matches. Saturday's encounter at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field will test the limits of a rivalry that has transcended mere competition, with local commentators describing it as "collective catharsis" for fans and players alike. 'It means a lot. The last few games between Botafogo and Palmeiras have been high-level and intense,' defender Alex Telles told reporters on Friday. 'It's a healthy rivalry for Brazilian football. It's great to see two Brazilian teams facing each other in the Club World Cup and also to have all four teams advancing (to the last 16).' On Saturday in Philadelphia, a new chapter will be written in this captivating and intense rivalry that has gripped the South American nation.
CNA
16 hours ago
- Sport
- CNA
Palmeiras and Botafogo set to rekindle heated rivalry on global stage
PHILADELPHIA :In a nation where bitter football feuds typically simmer across generations, Botafogo and Palmeiras are poised to add another chapter to Brazil's explosive new rivalry when they meet in the last 16 of the Club World Cup on Saturday. The feud, which erupted in 2023, has seen dramatic twists both on and off the pitch. Palmeiras, spearheaded by teenage sensation Endrick, overturned a three-goal deficit to defeat Botafogo 4-3, a result that triggered the Rio club's collapse in the Brazilian championship race. Palmeiras subsequently clinched the league title, sparking tensions that spilled into public exchanges between club officials. Palmeiras president Leila Pereira called Botafogo's owner John Textor "an idiot" and suggested he should be "banned from Brazilian football" after the American alleged referee bias in favor of Palmeiras. The rivalry defies Brazil's traditional city-based football feuds, with Palmeiras hailing from Sao Paulo and Botafogo from Rio de Janeiro. Unlike the century-old feuds of Flamengo-Fluminense or Atletico-Cruzeiro, this cross-country animosity has evolved into a pressure-cooker dynamic, with each encounter carrying heightened stakes. Botafogo exacted revenge in the 2024 Copa Libertadores, eliminating Palmeiras in the round of 16 en route to claiming the continental title. When the two met again in the Brazilian league at Palmeiras' home ground, Botafogo won again and eventually secured a domestic and international double. Since that 2023 defeat, Botafogo have gone unbeaten against Palmeiras in five consecutive matches. Saturday's encounter at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field will test the limits of a rivalry that has transcended mere competition, with local commentators describing it as "collective catharsis" for fans and players alike. 'It means a lot. The last few games between Botafogo and Palmeiras have been high-level and intense,' defender Alex Telles told reporters on Friday. 'It's a healthy rivalry for Brazilian football. It's great to see two Brazilian teams facing each other in the Club World Cup and also to have all four teams advancing (to the last 16).'
