Cebolinha predicts Flamengo's peak, hails chances for youngsters | OneFootball

Everton Cebolinha gave an interview this Wednesday (01)

Flamengo’s mid-season training camp in Portugal has been important for making adjustments before competitions resume. One of the players who spoke about the squad’s current moment was Everton Cebolinha, who expressed confidence in the work being done by coach Leonardo Jardim and believes the team will return to competition at a high physical and technical level.

In addition to the preparation of the main group, the forward also made a point of highlighting the opportunity that youth academy players are receiving during the training period on the European continent. Leonardo Jardim had promised that he would observe the youngsters during this period.

— We’ve been working hard in training. These two weeks since our return have been positive. I believe that, when we come back, we’ll be at our physical and technical peak. Jardim has tried to observe the players, especially the younger ones and those who haven’t been getting much playing time, so they can show their work and prove that they can also get the job done — said Everton Cebolinha to FlamengoTV.

WHY DOES PORTUGAL HAVE A SPECIAL MEANING FOR THE FORWARD?

The current mid-season camp also represents a special return for Cebolinha. Before wearing Flamengo’s red-and-black shirt, the forward played for Benfica (POR) between 2020 and 2022 and knows Portuguese football well. In fact, the player has returned to train at the facilities where he previously worked during his time at the Lisbon club. Now, however, he returns to the country representing Flamengo and taking part in preparations for the rest of the 2026 season.

HOW HAVE THE YOUTH PLAYERS BEEN MAKING THE MOST OF THE OPPORTUNITY?

With nine players called up for the World Cup, Leonardo Jardim found in the mid-season camp an opportunity to observe players developed at Ninho do Urubu. In total, 12 youngsters are taking part in the activities in Portugal. Among them are names already involved with the first team, such as Evertton Araújo, Wallace Yan, and Dyogo Alves, as well as Lorran and Rayan Lucas, who returned from loan spells. Another seven youth academy players were also added to the group during the preparation period.

— I’m still young, I’m 30, but it’s nice to pass on a bit of experience. Hard work always pays you back. I’m in my fifth season here, close to completing 200 matches, and I’ve won important titles. It’s a privilege to pass that on to them. May they keep working and dedicating themselves, because the opportunity always comes — added Cebolinha.

SO, WHAT WILL FLAMENGO’S MID-SEASON CAMP IN PORTUGAL BE LIKE?

The red-and-black delegation landed in Lisbon last Sunday (28) and then traveled by bus to Lagos, the city hosting the first stage of the preparation. The squad is staying at the Cascade Wellness Resort, which also hosts the initial training sessions.

After that, Flamengo will travel to Estoi, in the Algarve, where they will carry out the final stage of the mid-season camp. The team will use the facilities near Algarve Stadium, the venue for the friendlies against River Plate (ARG) on July 3, Lausanne (SUI) on July 8, and Benfica on July 11.

After finishing the schedule in Portugal, the squad will return to Rio de Janeiro on July 12. Preparation for the official resumption of the season will be completed at Ninho do Urubu before competitions restart. The first official match will take place on 07/22 against Chapecoense in the Brasileirão.

WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION, AFTER ALL?

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