De La Cruz on midfield competition: better fitness does not guarantee a place
This look back at an October 6 interview reflects statements made then, rather than a current injury update.
Improved fitness does not automatically secure a starting place. In an interview published by Flamengo on October 6, 2026, Nico De La Cruz said he had been able to train more consistently while acknowledging the strong competition in midfield.Flamengo announcement ↗
His focus was on being ready when an opportunity came. He praised his teammates’ quality and said the coach would decide who played. His comments concerned preparation and selection, not a place in the side that had already been promised.
In the same publication, club doctor Fernando Sassaki said Flamengo had been managing De La Cruz’s workload and had seen an improvement in his availability for training and matches. That assessment describes his condition at the time, not a guarantee against future injuries.
De La Cruz said he had suffered one injury that season. Consistent training made him feel better prepared; his opportunities in the team would still depend on matches and the coach’s selection decisions.
