Jorginho racks up yellows: Most cautioned Flamengo midfielder in crucial run | OneFootball

Jorginho’s adaptation to Flamengo has reached a point of real intrigue in the 2025 season. The midfielder arrived in Rio de Janeiro after a lengthy spell at the top levels of European football, winning both the Champions League and the European Championship and earning a reputation for intelligence and reliability at clubs such as Napoli, Chelsea, and Arsenal. At 33, Jorginho made the decision to leave Arsenal one year before the conclusion of his contract to join the Flamengo project under Filipe Luís, bringing with him the weight of high-stakes experience.

Recent weeks have brought a notable statistical turn. Jorginho, who built his European identity on tactical discipline, has collected three yellow cards in his last five matches. The sequence includes bookings in tense matches against Ceará, Red Bull Bragantino, and Santos, all in quick succession. This run stands out given his previous consistency and control—throughout his European career, clusters of cautions were a rarity.

In 38 appearances for Flamengo this season, Jorginho has yet to register a goal or an assist. He has attempted only two shots and, until this recent stretch, maintained a low disciplinary profile. The uptick in yellow cards can be traced to the context Flamengo now faces. The squad is involved on multiple fronts—leading the Brasileirão, alive in the Copa do Brasil, and still in the mix in the Copa Libertadores. The defensive workload has intensified, and Jorginho’s responsibilities as a midfield screen, orchestrator and leader have grown.

His yellow card count over the last five matches is the highest among Flamengo’s defensive midfielders, outpacing teammates such as Gerson and Erick Pulgar. While not unique among holding midfielders in Brazil, this figure puts Jorginho on track to potential suspension risks in upcoming fixtures, a point relevant as Flamengo juggles critical matches domestically and continentally.

Despite the lack of direct contributions in attack, Jorginho remains ever-present in Filipe Luís’s lineups. His role is strategic: shielding the back line, dictating the tempo, and serving as a point of reference for younger players. The coaching staff continues to rely on his leadership during decisive encounters, showing clear trust in his positional understanding and communication.

The physicality and rhythm of Brazilian football present a shift for Jorginho. The league’s intensity places more demands on defensive transitions and recovery runs, and the tactical and athletic challenges are distinct from those he faced in Italy or England. His recent bookings may be a sign of adaptation or a signal of Flamengo’s broader need for assertiveness as the calendar becomes more congested.

Jorginho’s choice to leave Arsenal and restart in Brazil underlines his personal commitment to the Flamengo project. His international pedigree has added value in the dressing room, especially as the club navigates crucial stages of multiple tournaments. Flamengo remains at the forefront in league standings and continues to compete on several fronts, with Jorginho’s leadership and positioning seen as a stabilising factor during the campaign.

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