Nicolas de la Cruz gets chance to become Flamengo's answer | OneFootball

The international break came at just the right time for Nicolás de la Cruz. While part of the Flamengo squad traveled to represent their national teams, the Uruguayan stayed in Rio and could, when competitions resume, find the space he has not had this season.

RTI Esporte Agency has learned that Flamengo has started to view De La Cruz as an option for midfield. The absences of Jorginho and Arrascaeta could lead to the Uruguayan being used more in the Libertadores and the Brazilian Championship.

The club believes the run of matches could be an opportunity to give the midfielder a bigger role than he has had so far in 2026. The situation is different from what the player experienced for much of the year.

Nicolás de la Cruz has played in 21 matches in 2026, but was on the field for only 596 minutes. He scored one goal and provided one assist. Modest numbers for a player signed precisely to offer quality in building attacking plays.

Limited opportunities throughout the year

The lack of continuity helps explain the gap between the expectations surrounding the Uruguayan and his actual involvement this season. Nicolás de la Cruz alternated between spells on the bench, appearances during matches, and games in which he did not even play a meaningful role in the rotation.

Against Red Bull Bragantino, Flamengo’s last match before the international break, he came on in the final minutes. It was another brief appearance in a season in which he has still not managed to turn his place in the squad into consistency on the field.

Now, the circumstances may change. Jorginho will be unavailable against Estudiantes, while Arrascaeta is also out. With two important players unavailable, Flamengo will have to redistribute roles in the sector.

The Libertadores could open up space

The situation increases the chances of Nicolás de la Cruz getting minutes precisely in a major match. The clash with Estudiantes is part of the decisive stretch of the Copa Libertadores, a competition in which every midfield choice carries even more weight.

Nicolás de la Cruz can play in more than one role and offers the team a different option. In a deeper position, he can help with build-up play. In a more advanced role, he has the ability to contribute to creation and link up with the forwards.

It is not just about filling in for an absent teammate. For the Uruguayan midfielder, the issue is taking advantage of an opening that appeared after months of limited involvement to establish himself in the team during the final stretch of the season.

Without national team duty, more time at Flamengo

Not being called up by Uruguay also changed the player’s routine. Nicolás de la Cruz, who has already played in a World Cup for his national team, stayed with the club during the international break and gained more training time while other teammates traveled.

The period could be important for regaining rhythm and earning more trust from the coaching staff. The run of matches will show whether the change will be only circumstantial or whether Nicolás de la Cruz will finally find the consistency he has still lacked in 2026.

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