De la Cruz’s knee nightmare deepens for Flamengo | OneFootball

Nicolás De la Cruz will be absent again for Flamengo’s upcoming clássico, a decision rooted in ongoing challenges with a chronic knee problem, according to Globo. The Uruguayan midfielder, who showed early promise this year, has struggled to maintain a consistent run of games as physical setbacks continue to hamper his availability.

De la Cruz missed all training sessions following Flamengo’s midweek match against Santos, making him unavailable for the squad’s key fixture against Fluminense. In Flamengo’s last outing at Vila Belmiro, he was introduced in the 63rd minute, but a full recovery has proved elusive. The club did not register his absence as a new injury, clarifying that the underlying issue is a long-standing condition. Managing this problem relies largely on load management and specific training regimens rather than conventional treatment.

This chronic right knee concern, longstanding since before his arrival in Brazil, occasionally affects his left knee as well, likely due to compensatory strain. Club sources describe the situation as “complex,” acknowledging how persistent knee discomfort has repeatedly interrupted De la Cruz’s rhythm. The midfielder has a track record of surgical interventions, with three previous operations on his right knee and another on his left before joining Flamengo.

De la Cruz has featured 20 times for Flamengo over the last seven months, starting in 17 matches. However, since suffering his latest setback, he has not been in the starting lineup—his recent contributions have come as a substitute: nine minutes against Bayern, seven against São Paulo, and 27 versus Santos. The absence from full team activities in the past week marked a clear reason for his omission from the matchday squad—not a matter of tactical choice by the coaching staff, but medical necessity.

His ongoing knee management also means Flamengo have opted not to field De la Cruz on artificial surfaces—a precaution to alleviate further strain. Prior instances saw him missing selected training sessions and returning at short notice; this time, however, he was unable to participate at all, leaving the club with no option but to rule him out.

The situation underscores a wider concern for Flamengo, who invested over R$100 million to secure De la Cruz’s signature from River Plate, yet have not seen him achieve the sustained involvement they hoped for. His sporadic minutes and lengthy spells of recovery have led to mounting internal discussions about how best to support the player while managing their expectations for his contribution.