Flamengo's football continues to be active. While the professional squad, which competed in the FIFA World Cup, goes on vacation this Thursday (18), the Under-20 team started today preparing for the 2026 Carioca Championship.

The squad will reconvene at the George Helal Training Center, with two training sessions on the first day of work. The club's youth academy director, Alfredo Almeida, will join the group tomorrow. reinforcing the importance of the project and the direct monitoring of the base's management during this transition period.

As in previous years, the Under-20 team will be responsible for competing in the first rounds of the Campeonato Carioca, providing young athletes with the opportunity to experience the environment of professional football and contributing to their competitive development process.

Many of the players who are beginning this preparation were recently on the field in the last round of the 2025 Brazilian Championship, when Flamengo faced Mirassol at the opponent's home ground. On that occasion, the team performed well and managed a 3-3 draw.

For Alfredo Almeida, participation in the Campeonato Carioca represents a decisive step in the athletes' development.

“This experience is extremely important for the development of our players. Competing in the first rounds of a professional competition like the Carioca allows them to face new challenges, gain maturity, and better understand the demands of high-level competition. Our goal is to do a good job, compete responsibly, and continue developing athletes prepared for Flamengo's future,” said Alfredo.

The full training schedule for the Under-20 team will be released through the club's official channels. Flamengo's debut in the 2026 Campeonato Carioca is scheduled for January.