Flamengo’s first 2026 rivals sign a Brasileirão champion | OneFootball

What is the reinforcement for Portuguesa-RJ for the 2026 season?

Portuguesa-RJ will be Flamengo's first opponent in the 2026 season, considering there was a change in the Carioca calendar. For this Sunday's (11) match, the team from Ilha do Governador will have the reinforcement of a two-time Brasileirão Série B champion. This is Chay.

Chay returns to the Portuguesa-RJ team to compete in the 2026 Cariocão. It was precisely while playing for the club in 2020 that the athlete began to attract the attention of Brazilian teams due to his good performances. The announcement of the player's arrival, it is worth noting, happened amidst the festive dates at the end of 2025.

IS CHAY A BRASILEIRÃO SÉRIE B CHAMPION?

Yes! After the 2020 Carioca, Chay was signed by Botafogo and participated in the campaign of the General Severiano club that ended with the Série B title in 2021. The following year, the player also won another 'second division' trophy, but playing for Cruzeiro.

WHAT WAS THE CHANGE IN FLAMENGO'S GAME IN THE 2026 CARIOCA?

Due to the decision of the Supercopa do Brasil, Flamengo had a change in the 2026 Carioca schedule. Thus, the Rubro-Negro will face Portuguesa this Sunday (11), in a match valid for the fifth round of the State Championship. The duel is scheduled for 6 PM (Brasília time), with the location to be defined.

It's important to emphasize that at the beginning of this Carioca, Flamengo will field an alternative team filled with youth academy players. Therefore, it will be the Ninho's youngsters responsible for playing the first matches of the tournament.

HOW IS FLAMENGO'S PROFESSIONAL SQUAD?

While the under-20 team takes charge of the first games of the Carioca, the professional squad continues to enjoy their vacation. They will return next Monday (12), in the morning, at the CT Ninho do Urubu.

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