Training with seniors and U20 games: Flamengo's plan for full-back Johnny | OneFootball

What is Johnny’s situation at Flamengo?

By: Rodrigo Lima

Johnny was one of Flamengo’s standout performers during the mid-season training camp in Portugal. However, due to limited playing time with the senior team, the Rubro-Negro has mapped out a plan for the young left back.

According to reporting by Coluna do Fla, Johnny remains available to Leonardo Jardim with the senior squad. However, since he is still age-eligible to play at youth level, the 19-year-old will also help out with the under-20 team.

Last Saturday (19), Johnny was even in the starting lineup for Flamengo’s win over Botafogo at Nilton Santos in the Rio U-20 Championship. That way, the club’s plan is for the player to take part in some matches with the youth side to keep up his match fitness.

Also according to Coluna do Fla, the under-20 team, coached by Marcelo Salazar, will count on Johnny in important matches throughout the season. As a result, the young player is expected to have a kind of back-and-forth role within Rubro-Negro.

COULD JOHNNY GET A CHANCE WITH FLAMENGO’S SENIOR TEAM?

It is important to note that much of Johnny’s time with the senior squad came during a long spell in which the experienced Alex Sandro was recovering from injury. As such, the 19-year-old was integrated into the Rubro-Negro squad in recent matches, including the decisive Libertadores clashes against Cruzeiro and Del Valle (ECU).

WHAT IS FLAMENGO’S SITUATION IN THE 2026 SEASON?

While Johnny builds up match fitness, Flamengo’s squad goes into the FIFA international break as the outright leader of the Brasileirão with 60 points and in the Libertadores semifinals. That way, Leonardo Jardim will have time to rest the team and fine-tune the details for the big matches Mengão has ahead in this final stretch of the season.

WHAT IS FLAMENGO’S NEXT MATCH?

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