Ex-Flamengo’s Joel Santana blasts Jardim over Samuel Lino: “Useless” | OneFootball

Samuel Lino is one of the key names in Leonardo Jardim’s Flamengo

Flamengo is going through a period of improvement after a string of poor performances this season. However, the performance of Leonardo Jardim’s team is still not pleasing Joel Santana, former Flamengo coach, especially regarding the selection of Samuel Lino.

— I think Leonardo Jardim is crazy, he comes up with starting Samuel Lino, what the f* is this? Is he crazy? Has he lost his mind? The other day he left Pedro out and started Lino, who is Lino’s father? He doesn’t play f* all, all he knows how to do is run—, he said, before concluding:

— This guy is kind of crazy, he looks nuts. Where was he a coach? What has he won to be Flamengo’s coach? You need credentials to coach Flamengo. Nowadays anyone can be Flamengo’s coach. This Flamengo team just needs not to be overcomplicated, put the team out properly and let them play—, Joel Santana concluded in an interview with ‘ESPN’.

What are Samuel Lino’s numbers at Flamengo?

In July 2025, Flamengo paid 22 million euros (R$ 143 million) to sign Samuel Lino, plus 2 million euros (R$ 13 million) in bonuses. As a result, the forward signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with Mengão, that is, until December 2029.

So far, Samuel Lino has made 40 appearances in the 2026 season, with eight goals and ten assists in official matches. The forward has in fact been the main standout in Leonardo Jardim’s team since Flamengo’s mid-season break.

What is the article author’s opinion on Samuel Lino?

“Apparently, the one who is crazy is former coach Joel Santana. Today, Samuel Lino has to be an undisputed starter for Flamengo, considering he has been one of the club’s main standouts in 2026. The forward has been responsible for creating attacking plays and scoring goals for Rubro-Negro, being a ‘key piece’ for Leonardo Jardim’s team,” said Davi Esteves, journalist for Coluna do Fla.

What is Flamengo’s next match?

With Samuel Lino available, Flamengo returns to the field this Wednesday (19), when they face Cruzeiro in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16. Kickoff is at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at the Maracanã.

As tradition dictates, Coluna do Fla brings all the details about Flamengo in the 2026 season. So, stay tuned to the website, social media, and YouTube. In addition, Globo (free-to-air TV), GE TV (YouTube), and Paramount+ (streaming) will broadcast the match against Cruzeiro.

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