Flamengo's professional squad begins 2026 with a series of evaluations at the George Helal Training Center

Flamengo's professional squad returned to training this Monday (12), at Ninho do Urubu, to begin preparations for the 2026 season. The first day included a series of tests and individual assessments in the morning, while in the afternoon Filipe Luís led a field activity. 

Become a Nation Supporter Member and guarantee priority access to tickets ❤️. Learn more at [link to website] nation.flamengo.com.br.

The main objective of these assessments is to map the physical and health conditions of athletes upon their return to activities. Multidisciplinary examinations are carried out, involving areas such as medicine, physiotherapy, physiology, and physical conditioning. In this process, indicators such as strength, mobility, symmetry between limbs, and movement patterns are analyzed, allowing for an individualized diagnosis after the holiday period.

Additionally, the players also undergo evaluations with professionals in dentistry, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, cardiology, and nutrition.

The division of assessments into two days was strategically planned so that the squad does not miss any training days throughout the week, optimizing the start of preparation for the upcoming commitments of the season. 

"Everything that is done is discussed among us, it goes through several debates and conversations to find out what the best decision is and what actions should be taken," explained Fernando Sasaki, head of Flamengo's Medical Department.

However, the monitoring of the athletes is not limited to the in-person period. During the holidays, the club maintained individualized remote monitoring, with specific guidelines for each player. The facilities at the George Helal Training Center also remained available, should there be a need for their use during the rest period.

“After such an intense year and so much time working together, we know the body language, the way of speaking, and the medical history of each athlete. Working with such committed professionals makes this process much easier,” said Luiz Macedo, Flamengo's doctor.

Based on the information gathered in these first days of work, the club is mapping areas of focus and areas for improvement, guiding the development of specific training programs for each player. The goal is to maximize physical performance throughout the season while simultaneously reducing the risk of injuries.

“We are continuing with a work model that was already structured. We know there is room for improvement and, therefore, we held meetings and made adjustments specifically thinking about this season, which has a more condensed calendar before the World Cup,” said the team's physical trainer, Diogo Linhares.