Globo journalist changes tune, wants Samuel Lino in Brazil squad | OneFootball

André Rizek admitted that he was against Samuel Lino’s call-up last year

Samuel Lino’s performance in Flamengo’s win over Botafogo last Sunday (30) gave the forward even more backing among journalists who follow the Brazilian National Team. After questioning the player’s call-up in 2025, André Rizek, from Grupo Globo, changed his mind and now sees the red-and-black No. 16 as a strong candidate to appear on Carlo Ancelotti’s next squad list.

— When Ancelotti called up Samuel Lino, he had only played two matches for Flamengo and I thought it made no sense. But today I think it’s quite plausible that Samuel Lino is very firmly on Ancelotti’s radar for the next call-up —, André Rizek said during SporTV programming.

Samuel Lino scored two goals and was directly involved in the third in Flamengo’s 3-0 win at the Maracanã. That way, the forward once again drew attention for the impact he has been making in Rubro-Negro’s attack.

This season, Samuel Lino has scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in 41 matches. The winger has raised his level since coach Leonardo Jardim arrived in March this year. With more freedom to drift inside from the left wing, the No. 16 is enjoying his best spell at Flamengo.

WHEN WILL ANCELOTTI ANNOUNCE THE BRAZIL SQUAD?

The next FIFA international window could represent a new opportunity for Samuel Lino. Brazil will face Australia in two friendlies: on September 25 in Townsville and on the 29th in Brisbane. After that, the Brazilian delegation will travel to India. In Kolkata, Brazil will face the Indian National Team on October 3.

So, Samuel Lino will have little time to convince Ancelotti before the next squad announcement. However, the forward’s current form works in his favor. In addition to the goals, the player has taken on a leading role at Flamengo and has been showing the ability to decide important matches.

Therefore, what André Rizek saw as a pointless call-up in 2025 could now turn into a perfectly justifiable choice. And, for the journalist, Samuel Lino already appears as a “very strong” name on Carlo Ancelotti’s radar.

WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION?

— Samuel Lino absolutely deserves to be called up, but Flamengo fans hope that doesn’t happen. Can you imagine the player traveling to Australia and India right in the decisive stretch of the Libertadores and the Brasileirão? It would be a major blow to the club —, opined Pedro Paulo Catonho, journalist for Coluna do Fla.

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