Jonathan Linhares was the standout player in Jimbee Cartagena’s 4-0 victory over Córdoba World Heritage in an early UEFA Futsal Champions League match. The Brazilian winger made his debut for the league champions, marking his return from an eight-month injury with a goal. Linhares had been sidelined since February 7 after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a friendly with his former team, Osasuna Magna. Following surgery, he began his recovery in Pamplona before moving to Cartagena in May to continue his rehabilitation under Jimbee’s medical staff. Showing great determination, he stayed in Spain over the summer to accelerate his recovery.
Eight months later, Linhares returned to the court, scoring a goal in his first match back. He described the moment as “unforgettable,” saying, “It was eight months of fighting and waiting for this moment. There’s no better way to come back than by scoring a goal.” Jimbee coach Eduardo Sao Thiago, known as Duda, praised Linhares’ commitment, highlighting his sacrifice of skipping a vacation to focus on recovery.
Flawless Debut
Despite Jimbee Cartagena’s flawless debut in front of their fans after a four-month break, Linhares acknowledged the team still has room for improvement, especially with the new players building chemistry. Regarding his own fitness, Linhares admitted he’s not yet at 100%, but he’s working hard to gain more minutes and confidence on the pitch.
Linhares only played the first half of the match as a precaution, with Duda emphasizing the importance of integrating him into the team’s playstyle. Jimbee Cartagena will make their UEFA Futsal Champions League debut next week in Brussels, facing champions from Poland, Ukraine, and Belgium in the Main Round. Duda confirmed that the club’s priority is the Champions League, and while they aim to win every game, their focus is on being ready for European competition.
Jimbee will play six games over 16 days. They hope to have Thai center Muhammad Osamanmusa available for the European fixtures, as the club is working on finalizing his travel from Bangkok to join the team in Brussels on October 22.