Three Flamengo players in the mix for Asia
Sob o olhar atento de Carlo Ancelotti, três atletas do Flamengo — Léo Ortiz, Alex Sandro e Samuel Lino — figuram na pré-lista da Seleção Brasileira para amistosos contra Coreia do Sul e Japão em outubro. O chamado chega em momentos distintos para cada um: um retornando de lesão, outro consolidando sua presença, e um terceiro ainda colhendo os frutos de uma estreia marcada pela adversidade. No horizonte, a Copa do Mundo de 2026 empresta peso e significado a cada convocação, transformando amistosos em ensaios para algo maior.
- A convocação oficial de Ancelotti, prevista para esta quarta-feira às 15h de Brasília, mantém três rubro-negros na disputa por uma vaga no grupo que viajará à Ásia.
- Samuel Lino carrega o peso de uma estreia agridoce — titular contra a Bolívia numa derrota por 1 a 0 — e agora busca uma segunda chance para reescrever essa história.
- Alex Sandro tenta superar o fantasma de uma lesão muscular que o tirou da última convocação antes mesmo de entrar em campo pela Seleção.
- Brasil enfrenta Coreia do Sul em Seul no dia 10 e Japão em Tóquio no dia 14, com o relógio da preparação para o Mundial de 2026 correndo cada vez mais rápido.
- Enquanto aguardam a palavra final de Ancelotti, os três jogadores mantêm o foco no Brasileirão — o Flamengo recebe o Cruzeiro no Maracanã na quinta-feira pela 26ª rodada.
Carlo Ancelotti preparava-se para divulgar nesta quarta-feira, 1º de outubro, a lista da Seleção Brasileira para a próxima Data FIFA, com três nomes do Flamengo na pré-convocação: o zagueiro Léo Ortiz, o lateral-esquerdo Alex Sandro e o atacante Samuel Lino. O anúncio oficial estava marcado para as 15h, horário de Brasília.
Os três já haviam aparecido na pré-lista anterior, ao lado de Léo Pereira e Danilo. Naquele ciclo, Alex Sandro chegou a ser confirmado no grupo, mas uma lesão muscular o obrigou a deixar a seleção antes de atuar — e o manteve afastado desde então. Agora, o lateral tenta retomar seu espaço.
O caminho de Samuel Lino até a Seleção foi construído de forma diferente. O atacante recebeu sua primeira convocação como substituto de Matheus Cunha, lesionado, e estreou como titular diante da Bolívia. A partida, porém, terminou em derrota por 1 a 0 — um resultado que não apagou o significado do momento, mas que o jovem certamente deseja superar.
A Seleção tem dois amistosos programados na Ásia: contra a Coreia do Sul, em Seul, no dia 10 de outubro, e contra o Japão, em Tóquio, no dia 14. Os jogos integram a preparação para a Copa do Mundo de 2026, para a qual o Brasil já garantiu classificação. Em novembro, mais dois amistosos contra adversários africanos completarão o calendário do ano.
Enquanto aguardavam a confirmação de Ancelotti, Léo Ortiz, Alex Sandro e Samuel Lino seguiam concentrados no Flamengo. Na quinta-feira, o time de Filipe Luís receberia o Cruzeiro no Maracanã pela 26ª rodada do Brasileirão — mais um compromisso antes de saber se o próximo destino seria o Rio ou o outro lado do mundo.
Carlo Ancelotti was preparing to announce his latest roster for the Brazilian national team on Wednesday, October 1st, with three Flamengo players making the preliminary cut. The official squad list for upcoming friendlies against South Korea and Japan would be revealed at 3 p.m. Brasília time, and among those under consideration were defender Léo Ortiz, left-back Alex Sandro, and forward Samuel Lino.
The three Rubro-Negro athletes were being eyed for the international break scheduled between October 6th and 14th. This was not their first time in Ancelotti's consideration—all three had appeared on the previous preliminary roster alongside center-back Léo Pereira and defender Danilo. That earlier cycle had seen Alex Sandro make the final squad before a muscle injury forced his withdrawal, a setback that had kept him sidelined since.
Samuel Lino's path to this moment had been different. The Flamengo attacker had earned his first senior call-up to the national team as a replacement when Matheus Cunha suffered an injury. In his debut opportunity, Lino started in a match between Brazil and Bolivia, though the result was not what the Seleção had hoped for—a 1-0 loss at home. Still, the chance represented a significant milestone for the young forward, who was now being considered again for the upcoming fixtures.
Brazil's schedule would take the team across Asia for two consecutive matches. On October 10th, the squad would travel to Seoul to face South Korea. Four days later, they would move to Tokyo to play Japan. These friendlies were part of a broader preparation strategy as Brazil looked ahead to the 2026 World Cup, for which they had already secured qualification. The matches in October would be among the final tune-ups of the year—November would bring two more friendlies against African opponents before the calendar turned.
Back in Rio, the three Flamengo players remained focused on their club commitments while awaiting official word from Ancelotti. On Thursday, October 2nd, Filipe Luís's team would host Cruzeiro at the Maracanã in a Brasileirão match, the 26th round of the domestic season. For Léo Ortiz, Alex Sandro, and Samuel Lino, the next few days would bring clarity about whether they would be heading to Asia or staying home to concentrate on the club's push through the Brazilian championship.
Citas Notables
Samuel Lino received his first opportunity with the national team after Matheus Cunha's injury— Source reporting on Lino's path to the squad
La Conversación del Hearth Otra perspectiva de la historia
Why does Ancelotti keep bringing back the same three players if they've been injured or underperforming?
Because they fit what he's building. Léo Ortiz and Alex Sandro are experienced defenders, and even though Alex Sandro had to drop out last time with an injury, he's still the kind of left-back Ancelotti trusts. Samuel Lino is different—he's young, he got his chance when someone else got hurt, and he actually started a match. That's real experience now.
But Brazil lost that match, didn't they? The Bolivia game?
They did, 1-0. But that's not really on Lino. He got his first cap, he started, he was in a competitive environment. For a young player, that's what matters. Ancelotti sees potential there.
So these friendlies in October—are they just warm-ups, or do they actually matter for 2026?
They matter because they're the only real testing ground Ancelotti has right now. Brazil's already qualified for the World Cup, so these matches against South Korea and Japan are about seeing how combinations work, how players respond under pressure, building chemistry. It's not life-or-death, but it's not meaningless either.
And if these three don't get called up officially?
Then they stay with Flamengo and keep playing in the Brasileirão. The club has its own season to fight for. But being on the preliminary list means Ancelotti is watching them. It's a signal that they're in the conversation.
What's the real story here—is it about these three players, or about what Ancelotti is trying to do with the team?
It's both. The three players matter because they represent what Ancelotti is thinking: experience mixed with youth, players who've had setbacks but are still in contention. But the bigger picture is that Brazil is in a rebuilding phase after the Copa América, and these friendlies are where Ancelotti gets to experiment and see who belongs in his long-term plans.