Jorginho and Danilo mentor Flamengo youngsters as Portugal camp builds to Benfica test | OneFootball

According to Globo.com, Flamengo teenagers Daniel Thuram, 17, and Johnny, 19, have leaned on Jorginho and Danilo while training with the senior squad in Portugal. The camp concludes against Benfica on Saturday at 15:30.

The tour has brought a 2-2 draw with River Plate then a 2-0 win over Lausanne on Wednesday at Estádio Algarve. Saturday’s meeting with Benfica carries the Algarve trophy.

Thuram said Jorginho talks him through sessions, sets extra drills and even urged him after the game to put the phone away and get in the shower, passing on habits beyond the pitch. He added that Vitão and the other centre-backs offer guidance too.

Johnny highlighted Danilo, now with the Brazil squad, as his main reference in training, noting similar attributes and learning both through conversation and example. He also namechecked Vitão and Jorginho, and called it an honour to play alongside Danilo while accepting he still has much to learn.

Johnny first stepped up last year and has four senior outings, one in the Brasileirão when the main team travelled for the Copa Intercontinental in December and two in this year’s Carioca. A subsequent shoulder injury required surgery, and since returning he has started for the under-20s and been an unused substitute twice for the first team.

Thuram’s only previous senior appearance came in the 8-0 win over Madureira in the Carioca semi-final, replacing Léo Ortiz late on. Kept with the group for this mid-season camp, he was not released to Brazil’s under-17s and credited Filipe Luís for handing him his debut.

Looking to Benfica, Johnny said this camp is a major chance for the club’s youngsters and that he is ready if an opportunity arises. He noted Ayrton Lucas’s situation remains unclear and said he is prepared to serve Flamengo either way.

Source: Globo.com