Flamengo Director of Football José Boto has called on the fans to maintain their faith and unwavering support as the club pushes for both the Brazilian Serie A and Libertadores titles in 2026.
Following a historic 2025 campaign, Flamengo finds itself in another promising year, once again contending for major trophies. The club heads into the final stretch of the 2026 season with a genuine chance to win both the Brazilian league title and the Libertadores.
With such a decisive period ahead, Director of Football José Boto made a direct appeal to the ‘Nação Rubro-Negra’ (the Red and Black Nation). His message is clear: this moment requires unity and the strength of the fanbase to propel the team toward further glory.
Trust in the process and the power of the Maracanã
José Boto’s call came with a plea for continued trust in the management and the collective effort of the squad. He highlighted how crucial the fans’ support has been, recalling key moments where the energy from the stands proved to be a decisive factor on the pitch.
“Trust in the work we are doing, support us, and act as you did in the last Libertadores match, when we were down to 10 men and you truly became the 12th player,”Boto said in an interview with the program ‘Bola na Rede’. The executive added, emphasizing the impact of a packed stadium: “In that case, it was the 11th man since we were a player down. When the Maracanã pushes in the same direction, it is very difficult for any opponent to play there.”
Current Situation: Leading the Brazilian Serie A and into the Libertadores Semifinals
Currently, Flamengo sits at the top of the Brazilian Serie A with 60 points, holding a three-point lead over second-placed Palmeiras. The Rio de Janeiro side is demonstrating consistency in its quest for a consecutive national title.
In the Libertadores, the path to the trophy remains wide open. Flamengo secured its place in the semifinals after overcoming Independiente del Valle in the quarterfinals. Now, the challenge will be against Estudiantes (ARG), with the matches scheduled for October 15 and 22, the latter being the decisive leg at the Maracanã with the backing of the home crowd.
The Fans as the 12th Player
José Boto’s remarks echo the fundamental role of the club’s supporters. Against Independiente del Valle, the fans proved to be the “12th player,” driving the team to victory even after Jorginho was sent off, leaving the side a man down. The energy from the stands was crucial for the comeback and Flamengo’s qualification.
Upcoming Challenges and Preparation
Flamengo’s next match is on October 8, when they will face Santos in the 29th round of the Brazilian Serie A. The match will take place at Vila Belmiro at 7:30 PM (Brasília time). The break due to the FIFA Date provides the club with a valuable two-week window for intensive preparation.
This time will be vital for the coaching staff to refine tactical details and, especially, for the recovery of key players who were in the medical department, such as Evertton Araújo, Plata, and Ayrton Lucas. The expectation is that Mengão will return at full strength for the final stages of the season.
