Former coach Joel Santana launched harsh criticism at Leonardo Jardim’s management at Flamengo, particularly questioning the use of forward Samuel Lino in the red-and-black’s starting lineup.
Flamengo is going through a recovery phase in the 2026 calendar, seeking to consolidate a playing style under Leonardo Jardim. Despite signs of improvement, the Portuguese coach’s work did not escape the critical eye of Joel Santana. The former red-and-black manager used his platform in an interview with ESPN to openly question the current coaching staff’s tactical choices.
Harsh Criticism of the Lineup
Joel Santana‘s main target was the insistence on Samuel Lino‘s starting position. Without mincing words, the former coach questioned the player’s technical quality and the logic behind his continued presence in the starting eleven:
“I think Leonardo Jardim is crazy, he insists on playing Samuel Lino, what the f*** is that? Is he crazy? Has he lost his mind? The other day he left Pedro out and put Lino in, who is Lino‘s daddy? He doesn’t f***ing play at all, he just knows how to run.”
In addition to the tactical aspect, Joel Santana questioned Leonardo Jardim‘s track record before arriving at Gávea, suggesting that the professional lacked “foundation” to manage Mais Querido‘s squad.
Numbers and Technical Support
Contrary to what Joel Santana‘s analysis suggests, Samuel Lino‘s performance on the field tells a different story. Signed in 2025 by Flamengo in a substantial deal worth 22 million euros, the forward has established himself as a key player. This season, the player has appeared in 40 matches, scoring eight goals and providing ten assists, serving as a crucial creative pillar for the team.
In an analysis published by the Equipe M360, it was reinforced that Samuel Lino‘s importance to the squad is indisputable:
“Apparently, the one who is crazy is former coach Joel Santana. Today, Samuel Lino must be an absolute starter for Flamengo, as he has been one of the club’s main standouts in 2026. The forward has been responsible for creating attacking plays and scoring goals for the Rubro-Negro, being a ‘key piece’ for Leonardo Jardim‘s team.”
Next Challenge in Libertadores
The controversy occurs at a decisive moment for the club. Flamengo is concentrating its attention on Wednesday’s (19th) match against Cruzeiro, in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16. The game at Maracanã, at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), is treated as the highest priority, with broadcasts on Globo, GE TV, and Paramount+. Samuel Lino‘s performance will once again be one of the points of observation for the club’s progress in the continental competition.
Equipe M360
