Flamengo player uses Copa break to keep promise to fans | OneFootball

Saúl promised to give up his vacation to improve his fitness in the second half of the season

The 2026 season has been challenging for Saúl, who missed the first few months while recovering from tendon surgery. Recently, the midfielder announced that he would give up his vacation to improve his physical condition for the second half of the season with Flamengo.

With that, during the World Cup break, Saúl will be able to fulfill the promise he made to the fans to give up his vacation and keep improving his fitness. The Spaniard’s idea is to return better in the second half of the season to have more opportunities with Fla.

What was Saúl’s promise?

Saúl’s promise was precisely to give up his vacation to focus on his physical condition. The player wants to recover his tendon, which was operated on right at the beginning of January. Since returning to the pitch, the midfielder has still been dealing with pain.

— I know I have to work, come back in the best physical condition, and make sure the tendon is okay. So I’m going without a vacation. Physically, I’m still lacking a lot, since December 18 I hadn’t been playing many matches. The other day I played against Athletico-PR on artificial turf and I suffered a lot, but the team needed me, he said.

What is Flamengo’s vacation period?

Part of the rubro-negro squad went on vacation starting Sunday (31), after the match against Coritiba. Because of this, the players will have approximately 15 days of rest. During this period, Saúl will undergo a private ‘intensive program’ to heal from the pain. Besides him, Jorginho and Léo Ortiz also postponed their vacations so they can recover from their respective injuries.

While Jorginho fractured his toe in the match against Palmeiras, Léo Ortiz suffered a thigh muscle injury against Coritiba. As a result, the three will not have the same rest period as the rest of their teammates.

It is worth remembering that Flamengo will return on June 19 at Ninho do Urubu. During the World Cup, the Most Beloved will have three friendly matches against Falkirk (SCO), Birmingham (ENG), and Benfica (POR), in Portugal.

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