Flamengo prepares with Portugal friendlies and contract extensions

During the 2026 World Cup break, Flamengo staged an intertemporal training camp in Portugal. The club played a 2‑2 draw against River Plate, followed by a friendly versus Switzerland’s Lausanne‑Sport on 8 July, and will face Benfica on 11 July as part of the Algarve Trophy. Coach Leonardo Jardim said the schedule is being used to rotate the squad, give minutes to players who missed the River Plate game and assess youth prospects. He also outlined the club’s recruitment priorities, emphasizing the need for a creative midfielder and a winger who are younger and of higher quality than current options.

In parallel, Flamengo confirmed the extension of left‑back Alex Sandro’s contract until December 2027, while negotiations are ongoing for fellow defender Danilo, whose renewal also runs to 2027 but whose future remains undecided. Director José Boto noted that the club will wait for Danilo’s decision before finalising the deal. The club’s preparations aim to retain an experienced defensive core and integrate potential new signings before the domestic season resumes.