Plata sidelined under Jardim, Flamengo future in doubt | OneFootball

Leonardo Jardim leaves Plata out of the squad for the match against Corinthians

After the departure of Filipe Luís, Gonzalo Plata lost his place at Flamengo. With the arrival of Leonardo Jardim, the Ecuadorian forward not only began to receive fewer opportunities, but was also left out of the squad for the match against Corinthians this Sunday (22), by technical decision. The decision of the Rubro-Negro coach puts the player’s future at the Rio club in doubt.

According to a report by Coluna do Fla, Plata is struggling to adapt to the playing style implemented by Leonardo Jardim. Given this scenario, Flamengo does not rule out negotiating the forward if an interesting offer comes in over the next few months.

Before this, it’s worth remembering that the Ecuadorian experienced his best spell at the club under Filipe Luís. During that period, Plata acted as a true ‘joker’ in the attacking sector, performing different roles such as right winger, second striker, playmaker, and even false 9, which increased his chances in the team.

FROM ‘JOKER’ TO FORGOTTEN?

In total, Gonzalo Plata has played 82 games, scored eight goals, and provided 10 assists wearing the Flamengo shirt, a club he has represented since the second half of 2024. However, after Leonardo Jardim’s arrival, the forward only came on in the final minutes of two out of four matches under the new coach, totaling just 21 minutes on the pitch.

WHAT NOW?

It’s clear that the future of Plata at Flamengo is starting to raise doubts. Despite having a contract until 2029, the forward faces tough competition up front, intensified by the arrival of Lucas Paquetá and the string of good performances from Carrascal. Thus, with fewer opportunities on the field, the club does not rule out opening negotiations if a favorable offer arises.

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