Field Insider
Defensive midfielderUruguaySerie A

N. de la Cruz

Squad depthFlamengo · 29 yrsFringe player
35.4
9.2%
Ratingi
7.8
±0%
Seasoni
10.2
Valuei

based on the 2025 season · updated 20 Aug 2026

Profile

Full nameDiego Nicolás de la Cruz Arcosa
PositionDefensive midfielder
NationalityUruguay
Age29
Date of birth1 Jun 1997
BirthplaceMontevideo
Height167 cm
Shirt number#18
ClubFlamengo
More about N. de la Cruz →
Defensive midfielder

Season stats

Full career & schedule →
11
Appearances
0
Goals
0
Assists
276
Minutes

Domestic-league season · Flamengo.

Performance data · by competition

CompetitionAppsGAMinMatch
Serie A10002626.64
CONMEBOL Libertadores4001886.88
Carioca - 1200837.15
Copa Do Brasil101457.2

Scout report

Squad depthDefensive midfielder

N. de la Cruz is a 29-year-old defensive midfielder at Flamengo, rated 39.1 overall by Field Insider's model. An experienced operator, he has been a fringe squad member this season (30.3% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 2.87 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Cruz.

On the season, Cruz graded 8 for current form (age-blind), on 0 goals, 0 assists and 2.87 defensive actions per 90.

Year-on-year, that's broadly in line with last season (Season 8 → 8). Over the 6 seasons on record his form has drifted down, peaking in 2020/21.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 39. At 29 Cruz is in his prime years, and a market index of 10.2 reflects that trajectory.

From the career report
Read the full career report →

Below his 2022/23 peak but holding a solid level — the platform for a return is there.

Peak: 2022/23Holding levelInjury-hit 2025/26
39.1
Ratingi
developing / rotation level
7.8
Seasoni
below regular-starter level
30.3%
Minutes
limited game time
2.87
Def. actions / 90
moderate defensive volume

Output in context · Flamengo finished 1st of 20 · a title-challenging side

19
Apps
2.87
Def. / 90
22
Tackles
9
Interceptions
5
Clean sheets

2.87 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 5 clean sheets across 19 appearances. Behind a title-challenging side (1st of 20) the side controls more games, so the defensive load is lighter — the value sits as much in composure and ball progression as in raw volume.

Watch points

  • Game time. Only 30.3% of available minutes — needs a settled run to prove the level.
  • Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.

Outlook

Rated 39.1 overall — developing / rotation level. Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (2.87 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Experienced and reliable, but the value curve is easing (1.1× now → 0.8× projected in three years).

Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.

Season statistics

Bars = where he ranks among defensive midfielders in the Serie A with 600+ minutes this season.

Shooting

Goals0

Passing

Assists0

Defending

Tackles22
Interceptions9
Blocks2

Yellow/red cards

Yellow cards4
Red cards0

Transfer news

No transfer news found for this player.