On the eve of the Under-18 Brazil Cup, Matheusinho says: "It's a dream come true to play for Flamengo"

The point guard will be one of the members of the Crias Da Gávea squad competing in the national tournament

By Victor Cachoeira - in 13/10/2018 às 12:52

Young point guard Matheusinho arrived at Flamengo in early 2018. Coming from Tijuca Tênis Clube, the player gradually became accustomed to the Mais Querido (Most Beloved Club). With his great potential and performance, he was integrated into the FlaBasquete adult squad for the 18/19 season. At just 18 years old, the youngster is living a dream, sharing the court with big names, and he has learned and evolved through his daily work with coach Gustavo de Conti. About to compete in the Under-18 Brazil Basketball Cup, which will take place next week, Matheus spoke exclusively to the Official Website about his current situation with the Manto Sagrado.

"The first year with the adult team has been incredible for me, it's a dream. Players like Marquinhos, Deryk, Olivinha, Mineiro, Varejão, Davi and Jhonatan, "I used to watch a lot of the players on TV, and now I have the opportunity to train with them. I'm learning things I never learned before, bringing them to my level and making my game flow even more. With the arrival of Gustavo (De Conti), I've changed my style a bit. As the team's point guard, I try to put the team in good situations and I'm learning how to dictate the pace of the game very well," he said.

During the first stage of the LDB, Matheusinho led Flamengo to second place overall and early qualification for the final stage of the competition. Regarding the team's performance, the youngster was emphatic.

"Many didn't believe in our team's potential because of what happened in previous years and thought it would be the same. Our team put its head in place and came here to win the competition. Our squad is young, but everyone knows their role on the court, each person does their job, and it becomes increasingly easier to achieve good results. We're trying to help each other and win each game until we win the title," he said.

On the eve of the Under-18 Brazilian Basketball Cup, a tournament that will be played next week and in which the Crias da Gávea have a great chance of winning, the point guard was confident.

"My expectations are very high. Flamengo is always looking to win the title and it will be no different in the U-18s. The team is training very well and everyone is motivated to compete in this championship," said Matheusinho, who will be playing the competition practically at home, as the games will be at Tijuca Tênis Clube, where the young man trained as a basketball player.

"At Tijuca, I feel like I'm at home. I played there for six years and learned a lot about basketball and life. When I step on the court, I remember everything I went through; the people treat me incredibly well at the entire club. Daniel, Carlos, Eldio, Marcos, Fillippe, Felipe, Agostinho, and Leandro were the guys who helped me the most there over the years, and they continue to help me to this day. They're always giving me tips on what to do and telling me to stay humble. I've been there to watch every Flamengo game at Tijuca, and it's a dream come true to play for Flamengo, on the court I know so well, but now with the biggest fans in the world behind me," he concluded.

Flamengo begins its journey in the Under-18 Brazil Cup this Monday (15), at 16 pm, against Sociedade Thalia, from Paraná. Trained by coach Paulo Chupeta, the Crias da Gávea are looking for another national title for FlaBasquete.

The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo receive funding from their sponsors – Thinkseg, TIM, 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, Leisure, and Youth (Seelje), in addition to support from the Brazilian Club Committee (CBC) resulting from the decentralization of resources from the Pelé Law. The Anjo da Guarda Rubro-Negro Project, a personal tax transfer, benefits all Olympic sports of the Most Beloved Club.