Flamengo officially released its squad list for the match against Cruzeiro in the Libertadores. The absence of forward Wallace Yan raised questions among Rubro-Negro supporters.
Flamengo announced on Tuesday (11) the players called up for the decisive clash against Cruzeiro, for the first leg of the Libertadores Round of 16. Among the names who did not travel to Belo Horizonte, the absence of Wallace Yan piqued the curiosity of the Nation. The M360 Team details the young forward’s situation in Leonardo Jardim‘s squad.
The Reason for Wallace Yan’s Absence
Contrary to what some fans feared, the 19-year-old player is not sidelined by injury. As reported, Wallace Yan‘s exclusion from the squad list was exclusively due to a technical decision by the coaching staff.
The player, who has accumulated 343 minutes on the field in the 2026 season and one assist in 14 matches, remains available for the Mais Querido‘s (Most Beloved) upcoming domestic fixtures.
Flamengo’s Context and Absences
The strategy to face Cruzeiro at Mineirão relies on a focused squad, despite four important absences. The Rubro-Negro club will be without Alex Sandro (calf pain), Everton Cebolinha (flu-like symptoms), Luiz Araújo (transition after knee injury), and Vitão (thigh muscle injury).
The M360 Team analyzed:
“Wallace Yan was one of Flamengo’s surprises during the pre-season training camp, held in Portugal. I believe the young player’s absence is due to the limit on the number of players who can be included in the matchday squad. Considering the Rubro-Negro roster, I wouldn’t swap any player for the number 64.”
Next Steps in the Libertadores
The clash between Flamengo and Cruzeiro is scheduled for this Wednesday (12), at 9:30 PM BRT (Brasília Time). The match will be broadcast on open TV, streaming, and digital platforms.
Should they secure qualification in the return leg on August 19, Flamengo will face the winner of the match between Tolima (COL) and Independiente Del Valle (ECU) in the quarterfinals.
The path to the final, which promises to be arduous, places the Rubro-Negro in a bracket that also includes giants like Palmeiras and Corinthians.
M360 Team
