Samuel Lino cements key role at Flamengo in 2026 as season nears restart | OneFootball

With the World Cup winding down and Flamengo nearing their competitive return, Samuel Lino’s rise has become one of 2026’s standout themes. According to Coluna Do Fla, the winger arrived amid big expectations in 2025 and has now seized centre stage.

He had already been exploiting openings in the squad before the tournament and kept his consistency. During the finals he capitalised further, underlining his growing importance.

In the last Brasileirão round before the pause, he shone against Coritiba with two goals and an assist. At the Algarve Trophy in the mid-season camp, he maintained the level, adding two more goals and another assist as a starter.

His numbers stand out, with a goal involvement every 108 minutes. In the league he has four goals and six assists from 17 appearances.

Lino credits Leonardo Jardim’s simple instructions and clear communication with lifting performances across a gruelling schedule, something he has highlighted in a recent interview.

World Cup call-ups will return soon, and if he maintains this level the fight for places under Jardim looks set to intensify. In truth, his starting spot seems likely to take care of itself, as he leads Flamengo for assists in 2026 with nine in official games.

Flamengo face Olimpia of Paraguay in a warm-up at Estádio Mané Garrincha, Brasília, at 20:00 Brasília time on Friday 17. The Rubro-Negro will chase a convincing win to sharpen up before official fixtures resume.

Source: Coluna Do Fla