Flamengo begin title defence at São Paulo with renewed priority and record within reach | OneFootball

Defending champions Flamengo begin their title defence at São Paulo on Wednesday, keeping the league as the season’s priority. Filipe Luís is set to use his first-choice XI for the first time in 2026.

According to Globo.com, kick-off is 21:30 Brasília time at Morumbis. Last season’s focus delivered the title with a round to spare, and the senior squad’s first outing was brought forward after poor under 20 results in the Carioca.

Planning included continuity. Filipe Luís renewed, and key men stayed despite interest in Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Carrascal. Seven exits, Juninho, Matheus Cunha, Pablo, Cleiton, Carlinhos, Viña and Victor Hugo, were reserves or out of plans.

Recruitment fixed two of three needs. Vitão arrived from Inter to strengthen centre-back depth, in 2025 the fourth option was an academy player. Andrew joined from Gil Vicente as Rossi’s deputy, a centre-forward with a different profile to Pedro is still sought and Cruzeiro rejected a bid for Kaio Jorge.

Flamengo are finalising Lucas Paquetá’s signing from West Ham at close to R$ 260 million, which would be the costliest in Brazil and South America. Versatile, he should aid rotation and is set to be a guaranteed starter.

The plan is for 22 starters, two per position, to better handle the Libertadores and other fronts after a 2025 group-stage scare. The league remains the flagship under Bap, José Boto and Filipe Luís, and 2026 brings a tilt at a record.

Chasing a 10th national crown, Flamengo could become the most successful of the points era, currently level with Palmeiras and Corinthians on four after wins in 2009, 2019, 2020 and 2025. Last year’s triumph took them to nine overall, eight Brasileirões plus the Copa União, the first coming in 1980 against Atlético-MG.

Source: Globo.com