Uruguayan Nicolás De La Cruz will miss Flamengo’s next Brazilian Serie A match after receiving his third yellow card against Internacional, confirming his suspension.
Flamengo’s marathon season schedule continues to demand a lot from the squad, but now head coach Leonardo Jardim will have to manage an important absence. During the match against Internacional this Wednesday (29), midfielder Nicolás De La Cruz was cautioned with his third yellow card and is automatically suspended for the next round of the Brazilian Serie A.
The player, who came on late in the game replacing Jorginho, committed a tactical foul in the 84th minute (39 minutes into the second half) to break up an attack by Calebe. With the sanction applied by referee Matheus Candançan, the Uruguayan, who had already accumulated previous cards against Palmeiras and Internacional themselves in the first half of the season, became a confirmed absence for the clash against Vitória.
Impact and Next Steps
The match against the Bahian team, valid for the 21st round of the national tournament, is scheduled for August 9, at 7:30 PM, at the Maracanã. De La Cruz’s absence forces the coaching staff to look for tactical alternatives at a crucial point in the competition, where every point is vital for the ambitions of the Mais Querido.
Transfer Market Speculation
Beyond the suspension, the player’s name has been the subject of behind-the-scenes debates. Uruguayan club Peñarol has expressed interest in acquiring the midfielder on a one-year loan. Although the Uruguayan club is offering to cover his full salary, the red-and-black board remains cautious, demanding financial compensation to release the player, who has a valid contract until the end of 2028.
Analysis of the Player’s Current Form
The midfielder’s permanence is a topic of heated discussions among fans and specialized press. Regarding the current situation of the number 7, the Equipe M360 assesses the player’s trajectory since his arrival at the club:
De La Cruz arrived at Flamengo in 2024 for a cost of over R$100 million, but has not yet been able to justify the investment on the field. In addition to missing time throughout the year due to physical issues, the midfielder also does not play on artificial turf.
The Equipe M360 further analyzes the future of the relationship between the parties:
Therefore, I believe it’s time for De La Cruz to seek new challenges and bid farewell to Flamengo. Although it might not be possible to recover the amount paid, just the salary savings would be good news for the Rubro-Negro.
Regardless of the behind-the-scenes negotiations, the squad’s immediate focus remains on preparing to face Vitória. The fans await a positive response on the field, keeping alive the spirit of Raça, Amor e Paixão (Grit, Love, and Passion) that defines the DNA of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo.
