John Kennedy hits 10, wins points, sparks Fluminense attack race | OneFootball

The Kid from Xerém has once again taken on a starring role for Fluminense in 2026. Enjoying the best goals-per-game average of his career, John Kennedy has been a key figure in maintaining the results achieved by the Tricolor in this first half of the year.

With 10 goals in 28 matches so far, the center forward is already having his second-best season statistically for the club, coming close to surpassing his 2023 mark, when he found the net 12 times in 41 matches and went down in Tricolor history by scoring the decisive goal in the Libertadores final.

More than the raw numbers, what stands out is the importance of the goals. In many of the matches in which he scored in 2026, John Kennedy stepped up in key moments, securing wins or rescuing points for Fluminense.

In the Brazilian Championship, for example, the striker was directly involved in 11 points won by the team. Among the most memorable matches were the draw against Coritiba, when he scored the goal that avoided defeat, and the away win over Santos, in which he scored the comeback goal in the final minutes.

Other decisive performances came against Bahia, Remo, and Corinthians. Against Bahia, he opened the scoring in the 1-1 draw; against Remo, he scored the first goal in the 2-0 win; and against Corinthians, he set Fluminense on the path to victory at the Maracanã.

His knack for deciding matches has brought John Kennedy closer to the fans again. The striker still carries the affection built in 2023, especially after the Libertadores title, and is now trying to cement his comeback after uneven seasons and questions about his behavior and performances.

Another important factor in this resurgence is the competition in attack. The arrival of Argentine Rodrigo Castillo increased the battle for the center forward spot, and the two have been alternating starts under Luis Zubeldía. In some matches, the coach has even used them together, a setup in which John Kennedy has performed even better.

Even in great form, the No. 9 knows that competition in attack will become even tougher after the World Cup. That is because Fluminense has announced the signing of Hulk for the second half of the year.

The veteran’s arrival increases the battle for playing time, but it could also raise the level of the team’s attacking unit. Internally, the view is that the packed schedule will require constant rotation between the Libertadores, the Brazilian Championship, and the Copa do Brasil.

Meanwhile, John Kennedy keeps doing what the fans expect most from him: decisive goals. In an increasingly competitive squad, whether as a center forward, in a strike partnership, as a starter, or coming off the bench, the striker seems determined to prove that he remains one of the most important names in Fluminense’s attack in 2026.

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