Saúl Slams Lack of Opportunities at Flamengo: "When I Don't Play, I'm Expensive

Flamengo midfielder Saúl has spoken out about his fluctuating playing time and treatment at the club, delivering a frank assessment of his status as the team enters the decisive final stretch of the season. According to reports from ge.globo, the player addressed his situation directly after a recent standout performance, pointing to the stark contrast in how his value is perceived by observers depending on whether he takes the pitch.

Saúl Breaks Silence on Stop-Start Flamengo Campaign

“When I don’t play, I’m expensive. When I play, I’m good,” Saúl said, as highlighted in match coverage by ge.globo and LANCE!. The remarks capture the tension surrounding his stop-start campaign, which has seen the veteran midfielder battle for consistent minutes amid physical setbacks and intense squad competition.

Overcoming Physical Setdowns and Injuries

Despite periods on the sidelines—including a stretch where he went two months without an appearance—Saúl has worked to re-establish his fitness. Coverage from ge.globo notes that a prior injury hindered his acceleration and top-end speed, complicating his reintegration into the matchday lineup.

Technical Staff Response and Squad Benchmarks

Flamengo’s technical staff has pushed back against any notion that the midfielder is out of the picture, instead framing his recent resurgence as a major boost. Speaking about Saúl’s progress after his substitute appearance against Corinthians and subsequent contributions, management emphasized that players write their own scripts through daily training performance.

“The group has to give a response. It’s not the coach that decides. The players put themselves at the disposal through attitude, commitment, and then show it on the field,” the coaching staff stated, as reported by ge.globo. Staff members added that Saúl is now training without the physical limitations that previously slowed him down, bringing him closer to the physical benchmark set by regular starters like Lucas Paquetá, Jorginho, and Eric.

Chasing Silverware in the Final Stretch

With crucial fixtures looming—including high-stakes competition in the Copa Libertadores semifinals—Flamengo heads into the decisive weeks of the campaign with renewed depth. The coaching staff explicitly labeled the midfielder as a valuable reinforcement for the home stretch, signaling that strong performances in training will dictate further opportunities on the pitch.