Flamengo begins two‑week interseason in Portugal with friendlies

Flamengo departed on Sunday afternoon for the Algarve region of Portugal to begin a two‑week interseason. The club has scheduled three international friendlies: River Plate of Argentina on 3 July, Lausanne of Switzerland on 8 July and Benfica on 11 July, after which the squad will return to Rio de Janeiro.

During the stay the coaching staff will work with players who missed the World Cup and with young prospects from the academy. Uruguayan internationals Arrascaeta, Varela and De la Cruz will not join the group, opting for a short vacation after their national team’s elimination. Forward Samuel Lino said the trip is “not normal to do a pre‑season abroad mid‑year… it was very important to recharge the energy, clear the head and focus on what is coming. It is essential rest.”

Flamengo currently sits sixth in the Brazilian league with 35 points from 19 matches, and the interseason is intended to restore form after a congested first half of the season.