Leonardo Jardim blocks Flamengo academy gem's Brazil call-up | OneFootball

17-year-old center back Daniel Thuram was called up to the national team, but he is on Flamengo’s squad list for the trip to Portugal

Flamengo is facing a dilemma involving one of the biggest prospects from its youth academy. Called up to represent the Brazil Under-17 national team in training sessions scheduled for early July, center back Daniel Thuram is also part of coach Leonardo Jardim’s plans for the mid-season training camp that the Rubro-Negro will hold in Portugal.

As a result, the Portuguese coach asked Flamengo’s board not to release the young defender to the national team. Leonardo Jardim’s intention is to keep Daniel Thuram integrated with the first-team squad during the training period in Europe, which is considered strategic for the rest of the season.

In addition, Daniel Thuram was confirmed on Flamengo’s squad list for the trip to Portugal, scheduled for next Sunday (28). The Rubro-Negro delegation will travel for the mid-season training camp aiming to intensify its physical, technical, and tactical preparation before the official competitions resume. Flamengo will also play friendlies in Europe against River Plate (ARG), Lausanne-Sport (SUI), and Benfica (POR).

WHY DOES FLAMENGO NOT WANT TO RELEASE DANIEL THURAM?

With Danilo and Léo Pereira at the World Cup, Leonardo Jardim has few center backs available in the squad. That is why the coach wants to observe Thuram working daily with the professional group. It is worth remembering that the coach promised he would pay more attention to the youth academy during this period of the year.

Even with Flamengo’s request, reported by journalist Venê Casagrande, the Brazil Under-17 national team coach called up Daniel Thuram for the first time. In the list released last Thursday (25), the Flamengo defender’s name appears among the players selected by coach Carlos Eduardo Patetuci.

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE CALL-UP?

According to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF)’s schedule, the called-up players are due to report to Granja Comary on July 5 and remain there until the 12th of the same month. However, Flamengo will be in Portugal from June 28 to July 12.

Brazil’s Under-17 national team is preparing for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which will take place in November this year in Qatar. Besides Thuram, another Flamengo player appears on the call-up list for the training sessions: midfielder Raimundo Ykaro.

WHO IS DANIEL THURAM?

Despite being only 17 years old, Daniel Thuram is a regular presence in Flamengo’s Under-20 team. Born on March 31, 2009, the youngster stands out for his height, 1.87 meters, and his serious style as a center back. Three months ago, the player renewed his contract with Mengão until 2028.

In addition, the club included a release clause of 50 million euros (nearly R$300 million). In 2026, Thuram made his debut for the professional team, playing a few minutes in the Campeonato Carioca semifinal, in the 8-0 thrashing of Madureira, a match that marked Filipe Luís’s farewell as the team’s head coach.

SO WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION?

— It will be a great opportunity for Leonardo Jardim to observe Thuram up close. He is a very promising boy and, historically, the coach likes to ‘polish gems.’ As for the call-up, there will be no shortage of opportunities for the academy product to wear the yellow shirt — said Pedro Paulo Catonho, journalist for Coluna do Fla.

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