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Léo wants to write the finale of a Fla soap opera with the Libertadores and the World Cup

The full-back is among a select group of players who are part of the club's history.

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Sitting on the Barra da Tijuca boardwalk, wearing white swim trunks, two cell phones, and glasses. Nothing else. In his eyes, obscured by dark lenses, the horizon is clear, predicting a final chapter in his relationship with Flamengo, ambitious and accompanied by the famous phrase "and they lived happily ever after." Five seasons at the club and with two remaining, Léo Moura has a script for his farewell. In December 2010, embracing the Club World Cup trophy in Abu Dhabi.

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As he prepares for his new challenge, he enjoys his Brazilian title. He confesses he's surprised by the post-conquest euphoria. On a personal level, he reveals he struggled with the overexposure of his relationship with singer Perlla.

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Relaxed with his girlfriend Camila and daughters Isabella and Maria Eduarda, the full-back doesn't abandon his vanity. He recently told the newspaper Extra that he wasn't handsome "just because of football."

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The hunk's swagger is interrupted by three girls. One of them, from afar, asks to take a picture. As she approaches, she looks into the player's face and adds:

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- You're such a cutie, huh?

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Léo Moura smiles victoriously. He quickly proved his point. At Flamengo, his personal success also came without a hitch. Since 2005, he's taken over the right-back spot and become a key player. His first title with the club—and in his career—was the 2006 Copa do Brasil. He then went on to win three state championships and, finally, the Brazilian Championship.

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"Someone recently said—I don't remember if it was Andrade—that I would be on Leandro's bench. That '81 team has an incomparable history, but I'm not far off. I'm in the select group of players who made history at Flamengo," he said.

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Check out the full interview:
GLOBOESPORTE.COM: A Copa do Brasil, three state championships, and a Brazilian Championship. Is there still anything missing?
Leo Moura:
The Libertadores. But since I arrived, I've had five positive seasons. Maybe it wasn't for the club, but for me, they all were. And some years were doubly happy.

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In your first year, in 2005, things weren't so simple. Flamengo struggled to avoid relegation in the Brazilian Championship. Was that the most difficult moment?
Things were going badly; my mother even had a heart condition due to nervousness. It was a life lesson. I came from Portugal, having no idea what Flamengo was. From then on, I truly learned about it. Here, the pressure is much greater. Everything you do takes on a huge dimension. You have to be careful. But the joys are also doubled. I'm seeing this during the holidays.

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Because of the Brazilian title?
Of course, I went on a cruise last week and spent more time in my cabin than anything else. I thought I'd get there and there would only be couples, people who weren't that into soccer. But when I went to check in, a crowd had already arrived. I thought, "I'm on the high seas and I won't be able to rest." Worse, I had nowhere to run (laughs). The scale of the title was out of the ordinary.

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Above what you expected?
I knew they would celebrate, but this was out of this world. Even in the water, people gathered, seeking autographs and photos. The fans had been waiting for 17 years. Many people had never even seen Flamengo win the championship. It made history.

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And do you think you also have a place among Flamengo's main players?
Recently, someone said—I don't remember if it was Andrade—that I'd be on Leandro's bench. That '81 team has an incomparable history, but I'm not far off. I'm among the select group of players who made history at Flamengo.

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In 2010, you're competing in your third Libertadores with Flamengo. Is this your last chance to be champion?
Suddenly, this title comes to end my years of contract with Flamengo. To begin writing the end of my book here. You know that last chapter of a soap opera everyone wants? So... Then I'd figure out what to do. Take this family and travel the world. And the title is possible, with the group we have. If we believe like we did in the final stretch of the Brazilian Championship, it's quite possible.

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What is the secret?
By maintaining the core, we can compete for the title. We know each other, we understand each other's positioning on the field. Sometimes, if something the coach asks doesn't work out, the players themselves correct it because they have that feeling. With the backbone we've had since 2006, Flamengo has a head start.

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And how important is Andrade in this group?
What sets him apart is his humility in listening to the players and accepting their opinions. There's no bullshit with him. The best players play. That's the key factor in our group. Those on the bench cheered passionately and cheered with the others. Andrade managed to build this family. I followed the renewal and wanted him to stay. It worked.

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Well before the title, you were embroiled in controversy by insulting the fans after scoring a goal in the match against Náutico. During those five years, did you ever think your time at the club was over?
I never considered leaving. That episode happens in anyone's career. The boos were fleeting; I knew they would be. Especially because I heard a lot of encouragement on the street. I just had to stay calm and it would pass. It's like a couple who has arguments but then resolves them. The fans have always been there for me. A player who isn't held accountable stays the same.

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You're 31 years old. Are you thinking about retirement?
I don't even want to stop, but I want to play five more. About three of them on the wing. But that's relative. I'm a guy who takes care of myself. I don't drink, I rarely lose sleep. Now I'm spending more time with my family. I'm getting older and learning more. Five years to save and give my family the future they need and deserve. Everything weighs on me.

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You dated singer Perlla and became a regular in the gossip columns. How did that affect you?
I didn't really know how big it would get. But I happened to date someone who's also always in the media. And there are people who don't respect privacy, and that's a bit of a bummer for me, especially since I play for a big team. This story serves as a life lesson, to not expose myself so much.