Flamengo began its preparation for the second half of the year this Friday. With the absence of nine athletes called up for the World Cup, the red and black squad offers a window for less used players to seek space and solidify their position at a crucial moment. Among them, the full-backs stand out as candidates to gain the trust of coach Leonardo Jardim.
The absence of Varela, who represents Uruguay, and Alex Sandro, serving the Brazilian team, paves the way for Emerson Royal and Ayrton Lucas. They will have the opportunity to have more direct contact with the coaching staff and demonstrate their value to the Portuguese coach. Despite having already participated throughout 2026, mainly due to the team’s rotation policy, both still appear as reserves.
Emerson Royal’s evolution at right-back
After a challenging year 2025 in terms of adaptation, Emerson Royal demonstrates an improvement in its performance in the current first half of the year. The right-back has played 21 games, with 19 of them starting with the starters. This number equals the total number of games played by Varela, who has made 15 starts on the field, and Royal has contributed four assists so far.
Opportunities and challenges for Ayrton Lucas on the left wing
Ayrton Lucas played 19 games, 13 of which started as a starter, and accumulated three assists. The 29-year-old athlete has received chances due to Alex Sandro’s physical condition, however, he is still looking to establish his position with the fans. The expectation is that the alternation between players will continue, while the renewal of the starter’s contract is in the planning stage.
Flamengo’s board continues to monitor the market in search of possible reinforcements for the position. However, a possible transfer of number 6, Ayrton Lucas, would only be considered if there was an immediate and appropriate replacement, a scenario that has not yet materialized. To date, the player has not received any official offer.
Field experience with the chance to base
With one full-back on each side missing, Emerson Royal and Ayrton Lucas represent the only more experienced alternatives available in the squad during the World Cup period. Coach Jardim intends to use this phase to evaluate talents in the youth category, but the two full-backs will have a significant opportunity to stand out. Rafinha, a young under-16 left-back, already participated in part of the training on Friday.
Interseason schedule in Portugal
The Flamengo team is scheduled to travel to Portugal on June 28, where it will hold its interseason and play three friendly matches. The first duel will be against River Plate on July 3rd, followed by a game against Lausanne on the 8th and a clash with Benfica on July 11th. The return to Brazil is scheduled for July 12th.
List of absences for the World Cup
During this period, the red and black squad will have a series of important absences. Players such as Alex Sandro, Léo Pereira, Lucas Paquetá, Carrascal, Plata, Arrascaeta, Varela and De La Cruz are serving their respective teams, participating in the World Cup.