After a lengthy period of inactivity, midfielder Saúl Ñíguez is once again getting minutes for Flamengo and reaffirms his commitment to the squad under Leonardo Jardim.
Spanish midfielder Saúl Ñíguez has ended a ten-game streak without playing for Flamengo and is now looking to regain his top form. After entering the field in the final moments of the victory against Remo in the 26th round of the Brazilian Serie A, the player has made two consecutive appearances, signaling a shift in the rotation established by coach Leonardo Jardim.
The player’s substitution for Lucas Paquetá at the Mangueirão stadium marks a turning point for the reinforcement, who was signed in July 2025. The period without playing, which lasted since the match against Coritiba in May, seems to be behind him, with the technical staff even favoring the Spaniard in the rotation with De La Cruz.
Attitude Towards the Coach’s Choices
Speaking to Equipe M360 in the mixed zone, Saúl emphasized the need for resilience and patience in high-level football. The player described the readjustment process as natural, prioritizing the collective goals of the red-and-black club.
I feel great and happy to be able to play and help on the field. A player always needs to be ready for the moment the coach decides to use him. Of course, everyone wants to be a starter, but Flamengo comes first. The club is always ahead of any individual. We work to be ready and deliver our best. Naturally, after a long time without frequent playing time, it takes time to reach the highest level of match fitness, but it’s an understandable process.
Focus on the Libertadores
With his contract secured until the end of 2028, Saúl is now preparing for the decisive challenges of the season. The Mais Querido squad has already shifted its focus entirely to the Libertadores. This Thursday (10th), the team will face Independiente del Valle in Ecuador for the first leg of the quarterfinals.
The player’s optimism also stems from the support of the ‘Nação’ (the fanbase). Commenting on the atmosphere in Belém, Saúl highlighted the welcoming feeling the fans provide, reinforcing that, regardless of the venue, Flamengo feels at home, which is an extra boost for the rest of the season.
