Cebolinha hails youth integration and says Flamengo could reach physical and technical peak after positive weeks | OneFootball

Everton Cebolinha, in the final stretch of his Flamengo contract, could use the World Cup break to impress Leonardo Jardim. He says the team could be ready to peak when competitive matches resume.

"We have been working hard in training. These two weeks since we came back have been positive, I believe that when we return we will be at our physical and technical peak. Jardim has been looking at the players, especially the younger ones and those without much game time, so they can show they are ready," he told FlamengoTV.

Cebolinha is back in Portugal, having played for Benfica from 2020 to 2022 before joining Flamengo. He has previously trained with the Portuguese club at the same resort where the squad are now based.

With nine players away at the World Cup, Jardim is trialling academy prospects. There are 12 homegrown players present, three already with the first team, Evertton Araújo, Wallace Yan and Dyogo Alves, two back from loan, Lorran and Rayan Lucas, and seven others promoted for this camp.

"I am still young, 30, but it is good to commit. Work pays back. I am in my fifth season here, almost 200 games, some important titles. It is a privilege to pass that on to them. Let them work and dedicate themselves because the opportunity will come."

The squad flew to Lisbon on Sunday, then took a 2h30 bus to Lagos for the first leg of pre-season, staying and training at the seaside Cascade Wellness Resort. They will then move to Estoi, about 1 hour from Lagos, to work near Estádio Algarve and face River Plate on 3, Lausanne on 8 and Benfica on 11, before returning to Rio de Janeiro on 12 July to finish the break at Ninho do Urubu.

Source: Globo.com