Leonardo Jardim plays down transfer talk after Flamengo’s 2-1 defeat to Cruzeiro | OneFootball

According to Coluna Do Fla, Flamengo lost 2-1 to Cruzeiro in the 24th round of the Brasileirão, after which Leonardo Jardim downplayed the need for signings and stressed finding solutions with the current squad.

He avoided discussing the market to prevent devaluing players, saying the present group underpinned Flamengo’s recent titles and, in his view, would remain the base in the coming years. He added that club officials are already assessing options and would take the best decisions.

In the recent window, Flamengo initially targeted Thiago Almada and made significant progress on a deal with Atlético de Madrid, but Almada joined River Plate instead. Football director José Boto later contacted Zenit for Luiz Henrique, though talks did not advance due to financial constraints.

During the Portugal training camp, Jardim said in July 2026 that he still hoped to add a midfielder and a winger to aid rotation. He outlined principles, recruit clear upgrades, avoid change for change’s sake, and prioritise younger players, not necessarily 18, with the physical capacity to bring energy now and for the future.

Early in the year, centre-forward was treated as a priority to compete with Pedro or partner the number nine. Kaio Jorge became a major focus, but after negotiations with Cruzeiro collapsed, Flamengo dropped that profile.

In the league, Flamengo have 45 points and sit second behind Palmeiras. Both sides currently have the same number of games, although Palmeiras are due to face Vasco on Sunday 23. Flamengo next host Botafogo at the Maracanã next weekend, with Bruno Henrique suspended after an accumulation of yellow cards.

Source: Coluna Do Fla

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”