Léo Ortiz rediscovers form as Jardim’s Flamengo tighten up | OneFootball

Léo Ortiz has put a difficult start behind him under Leonardo Jardim, with Flamengo yet to concede in four matches under the Portuguese coach.

On Thursday he scored his first goal of 2026 to set up the 3-0 win over Remo at the Maracanã, and he also has one assist this year for Cebolinha in the 2-1 against Vitória. Since his 2024 debut for Flamengo, he is the Brasileirão’s centre-back with the most goal involvements, five assists and three goals. According to Globo.com, Carlo Ancelotti is monitoring Ortiz, who was on the provisional list for this March international window and still hopes to make the World Cup.

Against Remo he won a race with Alef Manga and blocked the forward’s shot inside the box during a first-half counter.

His partnership with Léo Pereira has clicked again after being the best centre-back pairing in Brazilian football in 2025. Pereira has been called up by Ancelotti for Brazil’s March friendlies.

Flamengo’s centre-backs drive the build-up and rank among the most accurate passers over the first seven rounds of the Brasileirão. The list is led by Fabrício Bruno of Cruzeiro with 403 completed passes, followed by Martinelli of Fluminense with 395, then Ortiz with 376 and Léo Pereira with 375, with Fluminense’s Freytes on 362.

With one game fewer, Ortiz leads on average with 62.6 successful passes per match, just ahead of Léo Pereira on 62.5.

Source: Globo.com