The youth academy is coming strong! 18-year-old Matheusinho has been a standout performer in Flamengo's youth basketball academy. Last week, the point guard was the star of the U-18 Brazil Cup, finishing the tournament as the top scorer, the assist leader, and the championship's MVP. Now part of the senior squad, the youngster spoke with the Official Site about his current situation at Mais Querido and analyzed the performance of FlaBasquete.

"Our team did well. Coach Paulo Chupeta's plan was to achieve a good result. We knew we would face a very strong team in the final, we fought until the end and finished in second place. In the final, we lacked a bit more teamwork, we ended up not being able to achieve high scores from several players, as was happening in the other games, but the result as a whole was important," said the point guard. 

Voted the best player of the competition, the player linked his excellent performances to the learning he gained during training with the adult team.

"I was very proud of the MVP award. I'm a very quiet guy, I pay close attention to details and try to bring that into my game, both in training and in games. Being part of the senior squad has given me this responsibility and awareness. When I play in my age group, I already know what I have to do, when to hold the ball more and when to make decisions," Matheusinho emphasized, highlighting the importance of individual awards. 

"The value is huge, it's the result of all my work over the years. I'm trying to stay focused and continue performing well in the championships," the point guard said.

Competing in both youth and adult competitions simultaneously, Matheus discussed the differences that guide his performances. At youth level, the youngster plays a leading role, while at adult level, he's part of coach Gustavo de Conti's squad. 

"In my category, I enter the court having to show my true colors from the start, I enter with the responsibility of having to read the game in the first few minutes. In the adult category, I have to try to observe and find the gaps to play the best role when the opportunity arises. It's a different situation, but one that serves as a great learning experience," he added. 

Living a childhood dream by representing Flamengo and interacting with many idols, Matheusinho ended the conversation by talking about his main "mentors" in the squad. 

"Everyone helps me equally, but Franco and Jhonatan try to get me involved.always building. They draw my attention to defensive positioning and how much I can improve my game. Being able to play alongside Marquinhos is also a dream. I've always followed his career on television; when I was little, I saw him play, and now, sharing the court with him is wonderful," concluded the player. 

Matheusinho takes the court with the senior team this Monday at 18:45 p.m. against Libertad (URU). The South American Basketball League match will be the point guard's first international experience defending the Sacred Mantle. 

The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo receive funding from their sponsors – thinkseg, AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, and EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR) and the State Incentive Law/Rio de Janeiro State Secretariat of Sports, Recreation, and Youth (Seelje), in addition to support from the Brazilian Club Committee (CBC) resulting from the decentralization of resources generated by the Pelé Law. The Anjo da Guarda Rubro-Negro Project, a personal tax transfer, benefits all Olympic sports of the Most Beloved.