Filipe Luís reveals Michael has trained as a defensive midfielder for Flamengo | OneFootball

Filipe Luís has revealed Michael trained as a defensive midfielder this week, speaking after Flamengo’s 1-0 win over Vasco, with the forward’s future still unresolved.

The coach said he weighed up using either Léo Ortiz or Michael in the role, stressing Ortiz is a centre-back and would not be deployed in midfield under him. He also described Ortiz as one of the best centre-backs in the world.

It would not be Michael’s first outing in an unusual position. In the 5-1 win over Sport on 15 November 2025, he came on after the break and filled in at right-back.

According to Coluna Do Fla, Santos are in advanced talks to sign Michael and have a video prepared to unveil him, with salary and contract length agreed. A signing-on payment remains unresolved, which Flamengo view as unfair to pay.

Michael is seeking R$ two million from the 2024 agreement, part of a R$ 28.8 million package that Flamengo had scheduled across the deal. With the player close to joining Santos, the club believe they do not need to deposit that instalment.

Until any agreement is reached, Michael remains available to Filipe Luís. Flamengo face Fluminense at the Maracanã on Sunday 25 at 18:00 Brasília time in the fourth round of the Carioca.

Source: Coluna Do Fla