Flamengo should have almost complete squad for São Paulo opener | OneFootball

Flamengo should have an almost complete squad for Wednesday’s Brasileirão opener at Morumbis against São Paulo.

According to Globo.com, the key returns are Jorginho and Arrascaeta. Jorginho resumed full training on Saturday after a dental procedure, while the No 10 had followed a tailored conditioning plan and was not yet match ready. Both ended 2025 as starters.

Initially, seniors were to return only for the opener, but after meetings with the presidency the club advanced Filipe Luís’s side for the Vasco clássico amid a delicate Carioca situation.

Even then the coach lacked a full group. After December’s Intercontinental Cup, Flamengo started pre-season late, and some players showed residual fatigue and followed individual programmes.

Those who faced Vasco and Fluminense had minutes managed and could not complete both derbies. Workload control aimed to have the team in peak shape for the opener.

De la Cruz could also be available. The club plan to use the Uruguayan more in 2026, targeting round one or Sunday’s Supercopa.

Three players are still unlikely to make it: Danilo, with a left knee issue, Ayrton Lucas, with pubalgia, and Saúl, recovering from left ankle surgery.

The centre-back and the left-back are expected back for the Supercopa, while the midfielder is due in March. For 2026, Flamengo aim for at least 85% availability for Filipe Luís in every game.

Source: Globo.com