Josmar, the 17-year-old gem, earns his first-ever call-up for Flamengo in the derby against Botafogo
Flamengo has released its squad list for this Sunday’s (30th) derby against Botafogo, valid for the 25th round of the Brazilian Serie A. The biggest surprise is the inclusion of Josmar, a 17-year-old striker who appears among the call-ups for the first time.
The match will take place at the Maracanã at 4:00 PM (Brasilia time).
An opportunity for Josmar
Josmar’s call-up comes as a direct result of absences in the Rubro-Negro squad. The suspension of Bruno Henrique, combined with the recent transfers of Gonzalo Plata and Wallace Yan, has opened a spot for the young center-forward.
Acquired for R$ 3.5 million from Avaí last year, Josmar is viewed by the board as one of the club’s top prospects from the academy for the future. The left-footed striker, born in Recife, had already demonstrated significant potential while playing for the professional team at the Santa Catarina-based club.
Everton Cebolinha returns
The squad list also marks the return of Everton Cebolinha. The winger, who appeared to be out of favor due to a stalemate in his contract renewal, has been included. Much like Josmar, the number 11’s presence on the list is prompted by the gaps left by other players.
On the other hand, Alex Sandro, Vitão, and De La Cruz remain in physical transition and will miss the match, with their return expected for the game against Mirassol.
Projections and Future
There is expectation that Josmar could see his first minutes in a high-stakes derby. The young talent has the chance to prove his worth in a match with massive visibility.
Everton Cebolinha’s presence also sparks debate, with some questioning the best strategy regarding academy players. The derby will be broadcast by TV Globo, Premiere, and GETV.
