Vitão hopes for starts at Flamengo after strong Carioca, faces Cruzeiro he nearly joined | OneFootball

Fresh from winning the Carioca, Flamengo play Cruzeiro in the Brasileirão on Wednesday, pitting Vitão against the club he almost joined.

According to Globo.com, the centre-back is still seeking more minutes. He featured regularly during the state campaign, but was not used by new coach Leonardo Jardim in his debut, the final against Fluminense.

Vitão became Flamengo’s first signing of 2026. He had agreed terms with Cruzeiro through 2030, but talks collapsed over which Raposa players would be included and his salary package.

Flamengo then struck a deal with Internacional by offsetting a four million euros Thiago Maia debt from July, worth R$21.6 million, plus cash up front. The package totalled around 10 million euros, about R$65 million.

He has started six Carioca matches, alongside Léo Pereira in the 1-0 over Vasco, Léo Ortiz in Fluminense 2-1 Flamengo and Madureira 0-8 Flamengo, and Danilo in Flamengo 7-1 Sampaio Corrêa, Botafogo 1-2 Flamengo and Flamengo 3-0 Madureira.

He says his expectations are high, he is learning daily and wants to take chances when they come. With games piling up, Jardim prefers rotation over a fixed XI. Before the FIFA window, Flamengo face Cruzeiro, Botafogo, Remo and Corinthians in the league.

Source: Globo.com