Flamengo’s academy leader projects a future with more talents such as Vinicius Júnior and Lucas Paquetá in the professional world

The Clube de Regatas do Flamengo plans to use the break in the World Cup game calendars to monitor athletes from the youth divisions in training with the main team. The central objective is to strengthen the integration of these players, making it easier for them to receive more chances under the technical command of Leonardo Jardim.

In recent seasons, the presence of star-studded squads resulted in few places for the young talents developed at the Ninho do Urubu Training Center. Despite this, some names like Evertton Araújo, Wesley and João Gomes managed to stand out. Most athletes, however, leave the club with little experience on the field. Alfredo Almeida, who manages the youth categories, made an assessment of the Rio club’s development model.

The main focus is to go beyond just reaching the main team, seeking to consolidate the athletes in the football elite, as explained by Almeida. He emphasized that the club’s role is to ensure adequate preparation of young people, as mere appearance may not be enough without the necessary support. The director highlighted the goal of training more players of the caliber of Vinicius Júnior and Lucas Paquetá, who demonstrated readiness for the opportunities that arose. This talent development strategy not only aims for sporting success, but is also vital to the club’s financial health, generating significant value through future transfers. Almeida concluded by highlighting the responsibility of preparing athletes to establish themselves and contribute to major transfers or professional achievements.

The Portuguese director detailed how coordination has been established for the selection of young people who will participate in training during the championship break. Many of these athletes already undertake occasional training sessions with the main squad and are included in squads depending on player absences.

Almeida confirmed that detailed planning, including dialogue and consensus, was drawn up between the base and professional teams to define which players will participate in the interseason, always in accordance with Leonardo Jardim’s demands. He highlighted the importance of young people being ready for each day, moment and minutes given to them on the field or in training. The director added that there is a constant alignment, and that the first team coach, Leonardo Jardim, has vast experience and understanding of how to deal with young talents, actively contributing to their development.

Alfredo Almeida also discussed the negotiation that took Ryan Roberto to Shakhtar Donetsk. The athlete left for the European continent last Thursday in order to formalize his contract, ending a process that lasted several months. The young man was away from the under-20 team’s matches pending a definition of his situation.

“For the objectives to be achieved, it is essential that there is convergence of interests, both from the club and the player”, detailed the director. He stated that Flamengo took all necessary measures, presenting and structuring the proposal. However, the final decision depends on the athlete’s will, something that the club cannot influence, exemplified in the case of Ryan Roberto.

Last Tuesday, Ryan Roberto agreed to Shakhtar Donetsk’s offer, ending weeks of negotiations, although Flamengo already had a prior understanding with the Ukrainian team. The promising academy player, whose contract extended until March 2027, did not express interest in renewing and, from October onwards, he would be free to sign a pre-contract with any other club. The transaction involved the payment of a fixed amount of 9.5 million euros (equivalent to R$56.31 million at current exchange rates), plus 500 thousand euros (around R$2.96 million) in bonuses for performance targets.

Alfredo Almeida gave this interview after conducting a workshop, where he presented the cultural vision, processes and development methodology implemented in Flamengo’s youth categories, through the Flamengo Academy. The club’s initiative sought to clarify the functioning of the department and highlight the essential and non-negotiable principles in the training of its young athletes.