During the Club World Cup, we saw all four competing Brazilian sides impress and make the knockout stages of the tournament.
One of those sides were Flamengo, who were the only team to beat eventual winners Chelsea, before losing 4-2 to Bayern Munich in a last 16 tie that could have gone either way.
Since the tournament, they lost midfielder Gerson to Zenit, and Wesley to AS Roma. They have been replaced by Saul from Atletico Madrid – a former team mate of Filipe Luis – and Emerson from AC Milan.
Now, another signing has been officially confirmed.
Flamengo have announced the signing of winger Samuel Lino, who also signs from Atletico Madrid.
The 25-year old joined from Portuguese side Gil Vicente in 2022, before an immediate successful loan at La Liga counterparts Valencia.
In the last two seasons, Lino played 65 league games for Diego Simeone’s side, starting 46 of those. He was probably the only natural winger in the squad, aside perhaps Simeone’s son, Giuliano.
As it stands, Flamengo are two points clear of Cruzeiro at the top of the Brasileiro Serie A, with a game in hand. Though, Palmeiras, in third, are four points behind with a game in hand on Luis’ side themselves.
You’d think a signing of Lino’s quality will give them a good chance at sustaining their impressive season, despite some of the high profile departures.
