Samu Lino’s new chapter, from Valencia loan to key man at Flamengo | OneFootball

Samu Lino, now 26, is flourishing at Flamengo, where his recent form has underlined his importance.

He arrived at Mestalla four summers ago aged 22 after an impressive season with Gil Vicente, joining on loan from Atlético Madrid, who felt he was not yet ready for the Metropolitano. Valencia endured a troubled campaign, flirting with relegation, and safety was sealed by Lino’s goal against Espanyol at Mestalla. According to Superdeporte, he kept standards high and left a positive impression in the dressing room.

Back in Brazil, he has already lifted the Libertadores with Flamengo, the club he departed in 2018, and added the league title. Under Filipe Luis he rounded out his game, and with the former Atlético and Deportivo player no longer on the bench he remains a leader with more goal involvements than ever.

Pedro, Viveros and Samu Lino rank among Flamengo’s most decisive attackers. Lino has two goals and two assists in his last two outings, leaving the Maracaná side in second place. Some supporters have even apologised for previous criticism.

The target is the league crown and the pace cannot drop, with Palmeiras seven points away and having played one more match. Santos de Neymar sit on 22 points, only two ahead of Mirassol in the relegation zone, and Mirassol have a game in hand. Sao Paulo are mid-table but a poor five-match league run has triggered a major institutional crisis.

Source: Superdeporte