Saúl falls from Libertadores starter to Flamengo fringe within a year | OneFootball

One year after being a decisive starter against Inter in the 2025 Libertadores last 16, Saúl has slipped to the fringes at Flamengo. According to Globo.com, injuries, competition and a coaching change underpin the drop.

He managed insertional Achilles tendinopathy in his left foot late last year, delaying surgery. Operated in January, he returned on 19 April in a 2-0 win over Bahia, providing an assist.

Less than a month later he volunteered to play on Arena da Baixada's synthetic pitch, starting 65 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Athletico-PR. In the Libertadores against Cusco he then took a blow to the same heel.

He has not featured for a month, last playing on 17 July in a 4-2 win over Olimpia at Mané Garrincha. Nine days earlier came his last start, a 2-0 win over Lausanne in Portugal.

Paquetá's arrival has intensified the fight for minutes in his positions. The switch from Filipe Luís to Leonardo Jardim also hurt, as Saúl missed the new manager's first month while completing recovery.

He is under contract to 2028 on substantial wages after Flamengo beat Trabzonspor to his signing. Day to day he is viewed as exemplary, though an interview criticising Filipe Luís's dismissal was poorly received internally.

Saúl and Jorginho started together six times last year, including both wins over Inter and the 8-0 against Vitória, and they reached the semi-finals. In 2026 they have shared the pitch only once, late in a 1-1 draw at Estudiantes.

Source: Globo.com

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