Samuel Lino's breakthrough season: leading Flamengo's assists and surpassing European standards

Samuel Lino is enjoying his best season to date. The forward leads Flamengo's assist count for 2026 with 15 chances created, while also ranking second in goals with eight—behind only Pedro's 22. Together, the pair account for 52 direct goal contributions from the club's 89 total goals, representing 58.4% of the side's scoring. Across 39 appearances, the number 16 has emerged as one of Flamengo's most productive attacking forces and a cornerstone of the Rubro-Negro project.

The numbers mark a dramatic leap from his initial months at the club. During the second half of 2025 after arriving in Rio, Lino featured in 31 matches, scoring five goals and providing five assists. In just seven months of 2026, he has already eclipsed those benchmarks, directly contributing to 23 of the team's goals. Signed on 30 July 2025, Lino has now accumulated 70 appearances, 13 goals and 20 assists—figures that exceed his combined output from two seasons at Atlético Madrid. Across 93 matches for the Spanish side, he registered 12 goals and 16 assists. By comparison, he reached those same totals in just 66 Flamengo appearances, completing the feat 27 matches earlier, during the friendly victory against Benfica on 11 July 2026. Reflecting on his remarkable rise, Samuel Lino praised his development since joining the Carioca giants. "This year at Flamengo, I'm feeling very happy and evolving constantly here. It's been an intense year, and today I'm pleased to be contributing, enjoying good form, and I hope to continue in this moment and stay here for a long time." During his tenure, the forward has collected silverware across multiple competitions: CONMEBOL Libertadores, Campeonato Brasileiro, Campeonato Carioca, FIFA Dérbi das Américas, FIFA Copa Challenger and Troféu do Algarve.

Originally from Santo André, São Paulo, Lino began his career at São Bernardo before moving to European football, representing Gil Vicente, Valencia and Atlético Madrid. At the Spanish club, he was named Atlético's player of the year for the 2023/24 campaign. Notably, Lino also has Flamengo connections through its academy: in 2018, he was part of the youth side that won the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior. His return to Brazilian football came via the Rubro-Negro shirt. Lino made his debut on 31 July 2025 against Atlético-MG in the Copa do Brasil. His first goal followed within a month in an 8-0 rout of Vitória in the Campeonato Brasileiro, when he scored twice and provided three assists. His performances have earned a maiden call-up to Brazil's senior national team. In September 2025, Lino was selected for World Cup 2026 qualifying duty, making his debut against Bolivia.