Why Léo Ortiz’s return for Flamengo is taking so long

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Coluna do Fla

·5 August 2026

Why Léo Ortiz’s return for Flamengo is taking so long

What was Léo Ortiz’s muscle injury recovery process like?

By: Rodrigo Lima

Léo Ortiz went through a dilemma throughout Flamengo’s mid-season break. That’s because, even though he was integrated with the squad, the number 3 was unable to take part fully in the entire process due to an injury to his right thigh. As a result, the defender went through long stages before becoming available again for Leonardo Jardim in Mengão’s matches.

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Léo Ortiz’s right hamstring injury happened on May 31 in Flamengo’s match against Coritiba in the Brasileirão. Given the situation, the center back remained under the supervision of the club’s Medical Department.

Throughout his career, Léo Ortiz had already suffered impact injuries and knocks, but never a muscle injury. Therefore, Flamengo’s medical staff was careful to understand the player’s clinical condition before considering advancing the stages of his recovery.

WHAT WAS LÉO ORTIZ’S RECOVERY PROCESS LIKE?

Aiming to recover as quickly as possible, Léo Ortiz gave up a few days of vacation and reported back to the Ninho do Urubu training center to begin treatment. In short, throughout the entire process, it is worth noting that even when the medical staff considered a return valid, the decision to move forward through the stages belonged to the number 3.

It is important to emphasize that during the period when Flamengo was in the Algarve, Léo Ortiz was still not fit to play in the friendlies. However, the defender asked to travel with his teammates and be part of Rubro-Negro’s mid-season training camp in Portugal.

HOW IS LÉO ORTIZ DOING AT FLAMENGO RIGHT NOW?

After completing all the stages, Léo Ortiz reached the transition phase back onto the field. In this way, once cleared by the Medical Department, the decision to play the number 3 in Flamengo matches was left in Leonardo Jardim’s hands.

In the first match for which Léo Ortiz was fit to be included in the squad, against São Paulo at the Maracanã, Leonardo Jardim chose to leave the center back out. In the match against Internacional in Porto Alegre, the player was with the squad, but remained an option on the bench.

WHAT IS FLAMENGO’S NEXT MATCH?

With Léo Ortiz available, Flamengo return to the field this Sunday (09) to face Vitória in the Brasileirão. In short, the ball starts rolling at 7:30 PM (Brasília time) at the Maracanã. As usual, Coluna do Fla TV will cover the details of the match on YouTube, as well as on the website and social media. Finally, Premiere (pay-per-view) will broadcast the clash.

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