How Carrascal went from cast-off to key man at Flamengo | OneFootball

Numbers prove Carrascal’s improvement this season

Jorge Carrascal was seen as an almost “disposable” option at Flamengo before representing Colombia at the 2026 World Cup. It is no surprise, then, that before the tournament, the midfielder had played 28 matches, scoring three goals and providing four assists for the club.

However, after the World Cup, the Colombian returned to action against Internacional and reached a new level. In just 8 matches after the tournament, the number 15 has already scored 3 goals and provided 5 assists.

As a result, Carrascal has practically matched, in just a few games, the numbers from the entire first half of the year. In total, the midfielder has now made 36 appearances, with 6 goals and 9 assists for Flamengo this season. Therefore, the comparison between the two periods clearly proves an evident improvement in performance.

This level of performance has also shown up in decisive matches this season, not just in isolated games. It is no surprise, then, that Carrascal’s growth is about more than just statistics and reflects renewed maturity and confidence. The comparison of the numbers, without a doubt, helps explain his change in status within the squad.

Versatility gives Carrascal a place that is hard to take away

Carrascal also stands out for the tactical versatility he shows in every match. The Colombian performs well on the right, on the left, and also in midfield. This flexibility, therefore, makes it easier to set up different tactical systems.

A player capable of operating in three different positions gains extra value in any squad. As a result, coach Leonardo Jardim has more options to vary the attacking setup depending on the opponent. However, this versatility also means competing for space in more than one area of the team.

Even so, Carrascal turns that demand into a competitive advantage over his teammates in similar roles. Few players in the squad offer the same positional freedom that he shows on the pitch. In the end, this trait increases his chances of getting playing time even in the face of strong competition.

Competition on the right wing is not expected to ease

On the right wing, Carrascal had been holding the edge in the battle with Plata and Luiz Araújo. However, the fight for a starting spot has taken a new turn in recent weeks.

This is because Dynamo Moscow (RUS) gave up on signing the number 19, and Plata is returning to Flamengo. As a result, the Ecuadorian will now compete directly with the Colombian for a place. In addition, the club signed Anthony Valencia during this transfer window.

Therefore, competition for the right wing is only expected to increase in the final stretch of the season. Even so, the recent numbers put Carrascal in a comfortable position in this internal battle. In any case, the Colombian’s improvement after the World Cup reinforces the value he has within the squad.

It is now up to the Colombian to maintain this level of production in order to remain an undisputed starter. In the end, the internal competition is likely to further raise the overall quality of Flamengo’s attacking sector, since Leonardo Jardim will now have more options up front.

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