Maracanã sale: Alerj decision targets Flamengo and 2026 elections | OneFootball

Rio de Janeiro Government Wants to Sell Maracanã to Settle Debts with the Union

The information that the State Government of Rio de Janeiro wants to sell Maracanã for R$ 2 billion to settle debts with the Union dropped like a 'bomb' during the week. The movement, led by the Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ) of the Legislative Assembly of Rio (Alerj), has two targets: Flamengo and politics.

According to the 'RJ2' news program from TV Globo, a possible sale of Maracanã to Flamengo would 'strip powers' from the current mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes. After all, the manager is leading the process of building the red-black stadium on the Gasômetro site.

In other words, with the possible sale of Maracanã to Flamengo, the new stadium project would be deflated, and Eduardo Paes would stop 'gaining points' with the Red-Black Nation. This is because Paes is expected to run for the State Government in next year's elections.

HAS THE RIO GOVERNMENT ALREADY SPOKEN TO FLAMENGO?

According to deputy Rodrigo Amorim, president of the CCJ, conversations are already underway with Flamengo for a possible negotiation. It is important to highlight that Mengão, alongside Fluminense, is at the forefront of the Maracanã concession until 2044. But if the Government sells the Sacred Temple, the scenario will change.

“We recently had a meeting with the president of Flamengo in the office of the president (of Alerj) Rodrigo Bacellar. And it is essential that the State gives a destination (to the stadium),” Amorim told Globo.

WHY IS PACAEMBU AN EXAMPLE?

During the conversations, the Pacaembu stadium in São Paulo became an example. Before Corinthians built the Neo Química Arena, the old venue hosted the games of the Parque São Jorge team. However, lately, Pacaembu has become a “white elephant.”

Thus, selling Maracanã, avoiding the construction of the new Flamengo stadium, can keep the Sacred Temple valued. Besides the political issue, since Bacellar is expected to be Eduardo Paes' opponent in the 2026 elections.

“Every time Maracanã opens for a game, whatever it may be, it costs close to R$ 1 million to hold the event. It doesn't make sense for us to have a white elephant that the state continues to fund. Either sell Maracanã or make a longer concession, anyway, something has to be done,” Amorim added.

WHEN WILL FLAMENGO PLAY AT MARACANÃ AGAIN?

While the Maracanã issue remains hot behind the scenes, Flamengo will only return to play at the stadium in November. More precisely on the 1st, against Sport, starting at 9 PM (Brasília time), for the Brasileirão. Before that, however, Mengão will play two away games.

The first will be this Saturday (25), against Fortaleza, at Arena Castelão, with the ball rolling at 7:30 PM (Brasília time). Then, on Wednesday (29), the most important game of the year so far: the Libertadores semifinal, against Racing (ARG), in Avellaneda.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.