Goalkeeper completes 100 games for Flamengo in the final: 'What a beautiful coincidence'

Eduardo Peixoto\ From GLOBOESPORTE.COM\

Bruno practices free kicks for Flamengo. Flamengo fans consider "Brazil's best goalkeeper" to have a special day next Sunday. After a year and eight months, Bruno will reach 100 appearances for the club. And in a final.

"It will be an important game for Flamengo, important for Botafogo, and special for me. What a wonderful coincidence to reach my 100th game in a Campeonato Carioca final," he says.

In his 99 appearances, the goalkeeper has a largely favorable record. He filled the void left by Julio Cesar, was instrumental in winning the 2007 State Championship, and even scored a goal from a free kick. There were mistakes, of course. But the fans trust him.

"I realize they trust me. You can tell on the streets. But I don't like to say I'm an idol. That's not up to me to decide," he says humbly.

The number 100 is banned\ Several players in Flamengo's current squad have reached the centennial milestone. Some of them, like Ibson and Obina, played the iconic match with the number 100 on their backs. Superstitious, Bruno is grateful but passes on the tribute.\

"No number 100. I want to stay there with my cute shirt. If you want to put two zeros in front of the one, that's fine. Then I'd be 001," he declares, laughing.