Flamengo’s last-16 deadline revives question over Libertadores reinforcements | OneFootball

Flamengo have until 18:00 on Friday to register any new players for the Libertadores last 16 against Cruzeiro. Going into the tie without additions would not be new for the club.

According to Globo.com, Flamengo have not signed anyone in this window, while Cruzeiro have made six additions, including Rojas, Zé Lucas and Gabriel Pec. Flamengo are targeting a midfielder, a right winger and a centre-forward, with a focus on Thiago Almada, who wants to leave Atlético de Madrid and also has an offer from River Plate.

The tight cut-off could leave coach Leonardo Jardim without reinforcements for either leg. If that happens, Flamengo could only add players for the quarter-finals, provided they progress. This is their ninth successive year in the Libertadores knockouts.

Recent precedent is mixed. In 2025 they registered five for the last 16 and later won the trophy. In 2024 only Carlinhos and four academy players were added at this stage, and they went out to Peñarol in the quarters.

In 2023 they registered three for the last 16 but were eliminated by Olimpia. In 2022, 2021 and 2020 there were no last-16 reinforcements, and they still won the 2022 title after strengthening for the quarters.

Further back, 2019 brought four new faces for the last 16 and ended with the title against River Plate. In 2018, also against Cruzeiro, three arrived but the team went out. In 2010 only Ramón was registered before the last 16, and Flamengo fell in the next round.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”