International Football · Thursday, August 13, 2026
Flamengo prepares its key players in Libertadores ahead of 2026 World Cup
Leonardo Jardim rotates his squad in the quarter-finals against Cruzeiro, preserving several players competing for the World Cup.
By Editorial team
Flamengo face Cruzeiro on Wednesday at Mineirão for the first leg of the Libertadores quarter-finals. Leonardo Jardim starts Emerson Royal, Plata and Bruno Henrique in a false 9 role, leaving striker Pedro on the bench. This rotation allows the world cup-bound players to manage their physical load before the 2026 qualifiers, while giving playing time to other key squad members.