Samuel Lino marks a year at Flamengo, from big-fee burden to star | OneFootball

Player goes against Flamengo’s current slump and is enjoying his best spell with the Sacred Jersey

This Friday (31), Samuel Lino marks one year since his debut for Flamengo. Although the result of his first match was not positive, the forward’s development and current form have become a major highlight for the Rubro-Negro side.

In short, in Samuel Lino’s Flamengo debut on July 31, 2025, the team lost 1-0 to Atlético-MG in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil round of 16. However, at the moment, the player represents the best of Leonardo Jardim’s work at the Most Beloved.

What happened?

It is worth remembering that under Filipe Luís, Samuel Lino played more as a fixed left winger. However, with Leonardo Jardim, the No. 16 has started to drift more around the pitch and play more centrally. In fact, recently the forward has even played as a ‘playmaker’ and No. 10 in the absence of natural midfielders.

As a result, including Flamengo’s international friendlies during the mid-season break, Samuel Lino scored seven goals and provided 12 assists in Leonardo Jardim’s five months in charge. Overall, though, the player has made 70 appearances, scored 13 goals, and delivered 20 assists, totaling direct involvement in 33 goals in this one year wearing the Sacred Jersey.

How does Samuel Lino like to play?

Back in April, Samuel Lino opened up about his style of play since Leonardo Jardim arrived at Flamengo. In short, the player made it clear that he likes having ‘freedom’ to play with more mobility on the pitch.

— The difference with him is the ‘mobility’ to play inside, with your back to goal, ask for the ball in behind, sometimes drift wide… He gives you that freedom, and I identify more with that style of play, because I also like asking for the ball a lot in central areas. They are different styles of play. I felt very good during a period with Filipe, and now with Jardim I’m feeling good during this run as well -, said Samuel Lino.

What now?

With Samuel Lino available, Flamengo now turns its attention back to the Brazilian Championship. On August 9, the Most Beloved will face Vitória in a match valid for the 22nd round of the Brasileirão. The game will take place at the Maracanã, starting at 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time).

It is worth remembering that the Rubro-Negro squad had the day off last Thursday (30), but will return on the morning of this Friday (31). That is because the session at Ninho do Urubu is scheduled for 10 a.m. (Brasília time). Until the next match, Fla will have ten days to train.

How is Fla doing in the Brasileirão?

Finally, Flamengo remains in second place in the Brasileirão. At the moment, the Rubro-Negro from Rio has 39 points, with one game in hand on leaders Palmeiras, who have 47. Vitória, Flamengo’s next league opponent, sits in 13th place with 26.

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