Flamengo leads the nominations for the 2009 Brasileirão Player of the Year award. The three athletes who stood out most in their positions in the competition were announced this Tuesday morning at the Football Museum. The announcement was made by the Brazilian national team's coach, Dunga, and his assistant, Jorginho. The best coaches and referees were also nominated. Second-placed in the Brazilian Championship, Mengão leads the way in nominations with eight names.

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Palmeiras has six representatives, followed by Internacional (four). Leader São Paulo has three nominees. The names were chosen based on votes from coaches, players, and sports journalists. The three chosen for the final competition for the "Crack of the Crowd" award were also announced: Conca (Fluminense), Hernanes (São Paulo), and Petkovic (Flamengo). The winner will be determined by an online vote. Right-back Leonardo Moura, voted best right-back of 2007, celebrated another nomination.

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"Once again, among the best in the Brasileirão. Thank you, God, for this gift. Now all that's missing is the title. I believe," the player celebrated on Twitter.

The awards ceremony for the best players in the Brasileirão will take place on December 7th, one day after the championship ends, in Rio de Janeiro. Cafu, the captain of the Brazilian team that won the fifth title, will be honored at the ceremony, which will be hosted by actors Tony Ramos and Marcelo Anthony.

Check out the finalists for each position

Goalkeeper
Bruno (Flamengo)
Marcos (Palmeiras)
Victor (Grêmio)

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Right-back
Jonathan (Cruise)
Leo Moura (Flamengo)
Victor (Goiás)

Right defender
Andre Dias (São Paulo)
Chicao (Corinthians)
Danilo (Palmeiras)

Left defender
Miranda (São Paulo)
Réver (Grêmio)
Ronaldo Angelim (Flamengo)

left-back
Armero (Palmeiras)
Julius Caesar (Goiás)
Kléber (International)

Steering wheel on the right
Hernanes (São Paulo)
Pierre (Palms)
Willians (Flamengo)

Left-hand drive
Guiñazu (International)
Maldonado (Flamengo)
Sandro (International)

right midfielder
Cleiton Xavier (Palmeiras)
Diego Souza (Palmeiras)
Souza (Grêmio)

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Left midfielder
Conca (Fluminense)
Marcelinho Paraíba (Coritiba)
Petkovic (Flamengo)

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First striker
Diego Tardelli (Atlético-MG)
Fernandinho (Barueri)
Fred (Fluminense)

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Second striker
Adriano (Flamengo)
Iarley (Goiás)
Ronaldo (Corinthians)

Coach
Andrade (Flamengo)
Celso Roth (Atlético-MG)
Silas (Avaí)

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Revelation
Fernandinho (Barueri)
Giuliano (International)
Paulo Henrique (Santos)

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Referee
Heber Roberto Lopes
Leonardo Gaciba
Paulo Cesar Oliveira

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The star of the crowd
Conca (Fluminense)
Hernanes (São Paulo)
Petkovic (Flamengo)