Management, science and integration: Flamengo arrives at the last game of the season without injured players.
By Flamengo Communication - in
Flamengo arrives at the last commitment of the 2025 season with a fact that translates, in practice, part of the daily work carried out outside the four lines: no player from the professional squad is sidelined or unable to play due to injury. This is how Rubro-Negro presents itself to face PSG, this Wednesday (17), in Doha.
This result is far from being a matter of chance. It is the consequence of multidisciplinary, continuous, and highly integrated work conducted by the Medical Department, Physiotherapy, Physiology, Physical Preparation, Nutrition, and Technical Committee, in addition to the active engagement of the athletes and the leadership of coach Filipe Luís. The constant focus on physical management, injury prevention, and the health of the squad, in a season marked by high competitive demands and an intense schedule, contributed to sustaining the team's sporting performance and consistency.
Throughout the season, Flamengo maintained an average physical availability rate above 87%, considering exclusively the clinical and functional condition of the athletes. This data reflects the percentage of players fit (without injury) to be selected, disregarding absences due to suspension, call-ups, workload management, or tactical decisions. These values are considered ideal in the literature and in high-performance sports practice, according to an epidemiological study conducted by UEFA with more than 100 clubs.
More than just a number, this index reinforces the efficiency of a work model based on planning, continuous monitoring, data use, individualization of workloads, and shared decision-making across departments. This care is also reflected in the utilization of the squad. In 2025, a large part of the squad surpassed their previous season's average playing time.
“Another fundamental pillar was the prudent management of injuries, conducted responsibly, based on scientific evidence and without sensationalism. Early identification, respect for biological recovery times, and careful decision-making prevented aggravations, relapses, and prolonged absences. This approach not only protected the athlete in the short term but also positively impacted the season's evolution, promoting greater continuity, performance stability, and better physical response throughout the year,” explained Fernando Sassaki, head of Flamengo's Medical Department.
“It’s important to look at these numbers from a performance standpoint as well. Besides being available, the athletes have performed at a high level this year. This is due to Filipe Luís’ leadership, who demands a lot from the entire team, but also delegates responsibilities and trusts the professionals involved. Not to mention the commitment of the players, who understand the process and buy into the idea. The challenge now is to look to 2026, knowing that we have the potential for improvement and seeking to evolve even further compared to 2025,” commented Diogo Linhares, the team’s physical trainer.
In 2026, building on the lessons and experiences of 2025, Flamengo will continue investing in science, processes, integration, and responsible injury management, understanding that athlete health and athletic performance go hand in hand. Reaching the final game of the season with a fully fit squad is a direct reflection of this work philosophy.