Leonardo Jardim is ‘keen on’ Bruno Henrique: “Always defending Flamengo”

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·14 September 2026

Leonardo Jardim is ‘keen on’ Bruno Henrique: “Always defending Flamengo”

Bruno Henrique reached 200 games for Flamengo and scored the winner against Corinthians to celebrate

Flamengo did its job at home and beat Corinthians 2-1 in a match valid for the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship this Sunday (13). Bruno Henrique was the hero of the Rubro-Negro victory after coming on in the second half and scoring the goal that sealed the result for Fla. After the match, coach Leonardo Jardim did not hold back in praising the captain and number 27.

What did Leonardo Jardim say about Bruno Henrique?

As you know, since 2019, whenever I’ve watched Flamengo, that’s when I got to know Bruno. I know what he has done in these seven years since 2019 and I know how important he is as a professional, as a goalscorer, but above all for what he represents within the group. He is a very humble, hard-working guy. If he has to play, he plays; if he has to come on, he comes on; if he is not going to play, he doesn’t play, but he is always defending Flamengo as his main objective. His main objective is not individuality, it is Flamengo. He is a Flamengo man, not 100%, but 200%. I’m pleased with the importance he has had this year, not in every game, as you said, because we also have Pedro, and even today a youngster we signed came on. But he (Bruno Henrique) is always an extremely valuable player and one of those players who knows how to grow old. I have seen several players, stars of world football, who do not know how to grow old, because they want to keep the spotlight they had when they were at the peak of their qualities. And there are others who do know how to grow old, who know how to play even knowing that sometimes they don’t have the same energy they had a few years ago, but they always want what is best for their team. We have the case of Bruno Henrique and Danilo, who is important to highlight… He (Danilo) is a player with an enviable résumé. And I never see him with a sad face, neither in training nor in day-to-day life. Whenever it is necessary to help, he is ready. And it is this type of player, with that seriousness, that we value. And we have others too who are great professionals. Jorginho did not start, but he came on with a positive attitude and improved the team. That is the type of player we have in the group who are important for us to be successful.

How did Flamengo’s win happen?

It is worth remembering that Bruno Henrique started the game against Corinthians on the bench. During the first half, despite Rubro-Negro pressure, Flamengo could not open the scoring. However, right after the break, Fla scored the first goal two minutes in.

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In the play, Arrascaeta took a corner, and Hugo Souza tried to clear it by parrying. However, the Corinthians goalkeeper ended up ‘assisting’ Lucas Paquetá, who controlled the loose ball with his left leg and smashed it home to put Fla ahead at the Maracanã.

Even so, Flamengo conceded the equalizer to Corinthians in the 32nd minute of the second half. In the move, Breno Bidon found Kaio César up front. Number 37 played a one-two with Garro as he entered the box and laid it off for Gui Negão to finish and level the score at the Maracanã: 1-1.

But in the 43rd minute of the second half, Bruno Henrique came through for Flamengo once again! After coming off the bench, number 27 scored the Rubro-Negro winner. In short, Samuel Lino worked the ball with Jorginho, who played it first time to Joaquín Freitas on the left. The Argentine delivered a perfect cross for Fla’s captain to score and secure the win for the Most Beloved at the Maracanã.

How has Bruno Henrique’s season been for Fla?

On the day he completed 200 games in a Flamengo shirt, Bruno Henrique found the net and was the hero of the Most Beloved against Corinthians. As a result, number 27 reached nine goals for Fla in 36 matches played in the 2026 season.

What is Fla’s situation in the table now?

With the win over Corinthians, Flamengo earned three points and reached 57 points in the Brazilian Championship standings. In this way, the Most Beloved reclaimed the lead in the Brasileirão, as it is one point ahead of Palmeiras, who have 56 and have already played in the 27th round of the national tournament.

What is Flamengo’s next match?

Now, with Bruno Henrique available, Flamengo turns its attention to the Libertadores decider. That is because on Thursday (17), the Most Beloved will face Independiente del Valle (ECU) again at the Maracanã in the second leg of the quarterfinals of the South American competition. The match kicks off at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time.

It is worth noting that in the first leg, Flamengo beat Independiente del Valle 2-0 at altitude in Quito, Ecuador. As a result, Rubro-Negro goes into the second leg at home with an advantage. Not for nothing, Fla can lose by as many as one goal and still advance to the Libertadores semifinals.

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