Boto explains the restructuring of Flamengo's youth academy since his arrival - check it out

Flamengo continues to improve its internal structure, and the youth team has been one of the central points of this process. During his participation in MengoCast, technical director José Boto detailed the changes implemented in the club's talent acquisition . The main change is the prioritization of players with a more technical and fast profile, leaving aside the preference for predominantly physical athletes.

"The work at the base is less visible in the short term," said José Boto.

A NEW PROFILE FOR THE NEST BOYS

According to Boto, his first measure was to change the selection criteria for young athletes who join Mais Querido. The technical director emphasized that, historically, players with physical characteristics were prioritized, but this did not necessarily translate into professional success. "Work at the youth level takes time to show results. My first major action was to change the profile of the player who joins the club. Before, we relied heavily on physically stronger athletes, but when they reached the professional level, they encountered difficulties. What we are looking for is a technical, fast profile that likes to keep the ball," explained Boto.

TITLES AT THE BASE CANNOT BE A PRIORITY

The manager stressed that, although achievements are important, the main focus needs to be on training athletes ready for the professional team. The urgency for titles in the lower categories, according to him, ended up favoring players who, because they were more physically mature, They had advantages in youth tournaments, but they didn't always fit into the main team.

"Winning is important, but it cannot be the main objective of the youth team. Prioritizing more physically mature athletes to win championships is a mistake. Winning must be a consequence of the work well done in training players ," he pointed out. The change in the profile of youth players could have a direct impact on the CRF's main squad. Boto believes that, with this restructuring, more athletes will be ready to join the top team and contribute immediately.

"Not everyone will make it to the professional level, but if we can develop one or two ready players per generation, it will be a big step forward. Furthermore, those who are not used can bring in good transfer fees for the club," he said. Boto also highlighted that the psychological aspect is one of the biggest challenges for young talents. For him, many youth players are treated as "stars" before they even make it to the professional level, which can hinder their development.