From pre-Cup injury to key starter: Léo Ortiz’s Flamengo return

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Coluna do Fla

·23 September 2026

From pre-Cup injury to key starter: Léo Ortiz’s Flamengo return

See Léo Ortiz’s plan from the time of his injury until he became a regular starter again for Flamengo

By: Rodrigo Lima

Léo Ortiz went through a major change when compared to the last FIFA international break. That is because, while in May the center back suffered a muscle injury in the final match before the World Cup, Flamengo’s number 3 is now fully recovered and an undisputed starter under coach Leonardo Jardim.

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Léo Ortiz’s muscle injury in his right thigh happened against Coritiba on May 30, in the Brasileirão. As a result, the player used the free time in the schedule to intensify his recovery.

What was Léo Ortiz’s plan like?

As soon as the World Cup FIFA international break began, Flamengo gave the entire squad a few vacation days. However, even before that rest period ended, the center back returned to treatment at CT Ninho do Urubu alongside the club’s staff.

Given this schedule, Léo Ortiz’s initial idea was to recover from the injury as quickly as possible. In fact, even though he was not fit enough to play in matches, the defender asked to be part of the squad that traveled to Algarve, Portugal, during the mid-season training period.

When did Léo Ortiz return to Flamengo matches?

After going through that entire recovery period, Léo Ortiz began to show signs of improvement. As a result, in the match against Internacional on July 29, Flamengo’s number 3 was included in the squad, but remained on the bench.

In the following match against Vitória, the center back returned and managed to keep his place in the starting lineup. During Flamengo’s most recent run, the player only did not feature in the rout against Mirassol because coach Leonardo Jardim chose to rest some players.

What is Léo Ortiz’s situation like at Flamengo?

Even after recovering from injury, Léo Ortiz has not lost focus on staying in peak physical condition. According to reporting by Coluna do Fla, Léo Ortiz carries out training sessions at CT Ninho do Urubu and at home, accompanied by professionals.

In addition, even in Flamengo’s away matches, Léo Ortiz sticks to his routine. Coluna do Fla also learned that, besides the work prescribed by the club before the matches, the number 3 also usually does some exercises on his own, such as activation work and physiotherapy. With that, the player’s aim is always to be well prepared for the matches.

What is Flamengo’s plan?

With Léo Ortiz available, Flamengo got another break in the schedule because of the FIFA international window. As a result, coach Leonardo Jardim will have free days to rest the players, in addition to fine-tuning the team with a focus on the final stretch of the 2026 season.

Flamengo will only return to the field on October 8 to face Santos in the Brasileirão. In short, kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at Vila Belmiro Stadium. As usual, Coluna do Fla TV will cover the match details on YouTube, as well as on its website and social media. Finally, Premiere (pay-per-view) will broadcast the clash.

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