Maldonado: 'Libertadores is our biggest goal of the season'
Chilean midfielder answers questions from internet users on "You Interview"
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Chilean Maldonado didn't play in the match that secured the sixth title, the victory over Grêmio. But most fans have his last name on the tip of their tongues when they list Flamengo's best lineup during the conquest. It was with the 30-year-old midfielder, born in Curicó, that Flamengo began the run that led to the title.
\
\ With Flamengo, the number 13 gave the touch of experience that was missing to\ fine-tune the defensive system. His good performances led him to be called up by Marcelo Bielsa, coach of the Chilean national team. Due to bad luck, precisely in the game in which he returned to wear the jersey la Roja, Against Slovakia, the player suffered a serious knee injury. The injury left him on crutches and ruled him out of Flamengo's last three matches in the Brazilian Championship. But fans will never forget his composure in combating opponents, his personality in passing the ball, and, most importantly, the crucial goal the Chilean scored at Mineirão Stadium, the second in the victory over Atlético-MG.
\
Interestingly, Maldonado arrived at Gávea without much fanfare in August 2009, alongside defender Álvaro – another key signing for the title. A few days later, he was back on the field. From then on, Flamengo would go on to a 10-game unbeaten streak in the competition.
\
\ Before joining the Rio de Janeiro club, the midfielder who was revealed by Colo Colo\ played for São Paulo, Cruzeiro (where he was Brazilian champion in 2003, under the command of Wanderley Luxemburgo), Santos and Fenerbahçe.
\
\ Still recovering, the player answered questions submitted by internet users through Você Entrevista. Check out the results.
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\ Isabela de SB Gonçalves, 15 years old, student, Petrópolis (RJ) –Maldonado, before you arrived at Flamengo, the team had a fragile defense and was conceding a lot of goals. You arrived, became a starter, fixed the defense, and the team won the championship. How do you evaluate these games you played for Flamengo?
\
\ Maldonado – The team was already in good form and my role was to help it improve even further. Fortunately, everything worked out and the different parts of the team understood each other more and more. I really enjoyed the games I played at Flamengo, which also helped bring me back to the Chilean national team.
\
\ Anderson Júnior Diniz Barroso, 22 years old, administrator, Manaus (AM) – How exciting is it to become a champion with Flamengo?
\ Maldonado – It's a unique emotion to know that we brought this joy to the biggest fan base in Brazil. The club has been seeking the Brazilian title again for a long time, and this team will be remembered in history.
\
\ Isis Kezia de Lima Alves de Moraes, 21 years old, Apodi (RN) – Maldonado, do you intend to continue at Flamengo in 2010?
\ Maldonado – Of course, I have a contract with the club and I'm working every day to recover soon.
\
\ Wesley Rodrigo Lima Mendes, internet cafe monitor, Duque de Caxias (RJ) – What does Flamengo mean in your life today?
\ Maldonado – It's a place where I feel good, a club that I've learned to respect and love. I hope to return soon and step onto the field again wearing the red and black shirt.
\
\ Wagner Paulo de Carvalho, 45 years old, gas station attendant, Nova Friburgo (RJ) – Describe to the fans what it's like to be inside a packed Maracanã playing in a Flamengo shirt?
\ Maldonado – It's something truly special for an athlete. The energy the fans bring to the field is contagious, and that was crucial to winning the title.
\
\ Renato Mendes de Oliveira, 22 years old, musician, Itaboraí (RJ) – Maldonado, you'd never played for a Rio de Janeiro team. What impressed you most about Rio de Janeiro soccer?
\ Maldonado – The fans here in Rio de Janeiro are very lively, and Maracanã is another attraction. Everyone loves playing at this stadium.
\
\ Marcel de Queiroz Pereira, 32 years old, economist, Rio de Janeiro (RJ) –Maldonado, is it difficult for a foreign player to arrive and adapt to Brazilian football? Do you think fans have the same patience with foreigners as they do with Brazilians?
\ Maldonado – Fans want to see players give their all on the field and honor their jersey. That's what I always strive to do at the clubs I play for, and it's worked.
\
\ Pedro Paulo, 19 years old, athlete, Manaus (AM) – Maldonado, what are the main differences between the fan bases of: Colo-Colo, Fenerbahçe and Flamengo?
\ Maldonado – They're all fanatical and very supportive. The difference is that Flamengo's fans are the biggest in the world.
\
\ Josué Santiago Mariano Junior, 42 years old, musician, Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – How much influence does Andrade have on your game, since he played the same position? Does he pay you special attention?
\ Maldonado – Andrade knows everything about football and always gives advice, not only to midfield players, but also to forwards, defenders, full-backs... It has been rewarding to work with him.
\
\ Marcelo Nunes Andrade, 24 years old, administrative assistant, Goiânia (GO) –Hello Maldonado! Congratulations on your work! You've quickly become a key player in Flamengo's strategy, and your temporary absence was felt in the midfield. As an international player, what do you think is most important to Flamengo in the 2010 Copa Libertadores?
\ Maldonado – The Libertadores must be played game by game, with maximum attention paid to each match. It's our biggest goal of the season, and we want to give this gift to Flamengo fans.
\
\ Josué Santiago Mariano Junior, 42 years old, musician, Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – What kind of players will Flamengo need to reinforce for the Libertadores?
\ Maldonado – We have an experienced coaching staff that is aware of these factors. Our squad is excellent, but reinforcements are always welcome.
\
\ Douglas Gomes Diniz Almeida, 26 years old, business administrator, Ceilândia (DF) –\ Since Mancuso, Flamengo hasn't had a midfielder with as much quality\ as you. Do you want to stay at Flamengo for a long time and\ become an idol for the Red-Black Nation?
\ Maldonado – I really like it here and I hope to win more titles with Flamengo. I don't intend to become an idol, but I guarantee that I will always step onto the field to work hard and achieve victories.
\
\
\ With Flamengo, the number 13 gave the touch of experience that was missing to\ fine-tune the defensive system. His good performances led him to be called up by Marcelo Bielsa, coach of the Chilean national team. Due to bad luck, precisely in the game in which he returned to wear the jersey la Roja, Against Slovakia, the player suffered a serious knee injury. The injury left him on crutches and ruled him out of Flamengo's last three matches in the Brazilian Championship. But fans will never forget his composure in combating opponents, his personality in passing the ball, and, most importantly, the crucial goal the Chilean scored at Mineirão Stadium, the second in the victory over Atlético-MG.
\
Interestingly, Maldonado arrived at Gávea without much fanfare in August 2009, alongside defender Álvaro – another key signing for the title. A few days later, he was back on the field. From then on, Flamengo would go on to a 10-game unbeaten streak in the competition.
\
\ Before joining the Rio de Janeiro club, the midfielder who was revealed by Colo Colo\ played for São Paulo, Cruzeiro (where he was Brazilian champion in 2003, under the command of Wanderley Luxemburgo), Santos and Fenerbahçe.
\
\ Still recovering, the player answered questions submitted by internet users through Você Entrevista. Check out the results.
\
\ Isabela de SB Gonçalves, 15 years old, student, Petrópolis (RJ) –Maldonado, before you arrived at Flamengo, the team had a fragile defense and was conceding a lot of goals. You arrived, became a starter, fixed the defense, and the team won the championship. How do you evaluate these games you played for Flamengo?
\
\ Maldonado – The team was already in good form and my role was to help it improve even further. Fortunately, everything worked out and the different parts of the team understood each other more and more. I really enjoyed the games I played at Flamengo, which also helped bring me back to the Chilean national team.
\
\ Anderson Júnior Diniz Barroso, 22 years old, administrator, Manaus (AM) – How exciting is it to become a champion with Flamengo?
\ Maldonado – It's a unique emotion to know that we brought this joy to the biggest fan base in Brazil. The club has been seeking the Brazilian title again for a long time, and this team will be remembered in history.
\
\ Isis Kezia de Lima Alves de Moraes, 21 years old, Apodi (RN) – Maldonado, do you intend to continue at Flamengo in 2010?
\ Maldonado – Of course, I have a contract with the club and I'm working every day to recover soon.
\
\ Wesley Rodrigo Lima Mendes, internet cafe monitor, Duque de Caxias (RJ) – What does Flamengo mean in your life today?
\ Maldonado – It's a place where I feel good, a club that I've learned to respect and love. I hope to return soon and step onto the field again wearing the red and black shirt.
\
\ Wagner Paulo de Carvalho, 45 years old, gas station attendant, Nova Friburgo (RJ) – Describe to the fans what it's like to be inside a packed Maracanã playing in a Flamengo shirt?
\ Maldonado – It's something truly special for an athlete. The energy the fans bring to the field is contagious, and that was crucial to winning the title.
\
\ Renato Mendes de Oliveira, 22 years old, musician, Itaboraí (RJ) – Maldonado, you'd never played for a Rio de Janeiro team. What impressed you most about Rio de Janeiro soccer?
\ Maldonado – The fans here in Rio de Janeiro are very lively, and Maracanã is another attraction. Everyone loves playing at this stadium.
\
\ Marcel de Queiroz Pereira, 32 years old, economist, Rio de Janeiro (RJ) –Maldonado, is it difficult for a foreign player to arrive and adapt to Brazilian football? Do you think fans have the same patience with foreigners as they do with Brazilians?
\ Maldonado – Fans want to see players give their all on the field and honor their jersey. That's what I always strive to do at the clubs I play for, and it's worked.
\
\ Pedro Paulo, 19 years old, athlete, Manaus (AM) – Maldonado, what are the main differences between the fan bases of: Colo-Colo, Fenerbahçe and Flamengo?
\ Maldonado – They're all fanatical and very supportive. The difference is that Flamengo's fans are the biggest in the world.
\
\ Josué Santiago Mariano Junior, 42 years old, musician, Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – How much influence does Andrade have on your game, since he played the same position? Does he pay you special attention?
\ Maldonado – Andrade knows everything about football and always gives advice, not only to midfield players, but also to forwards, defenders, full-backs... It has been rewarding to work with him.
\
\ Marcelo Nunes Andrade, 24 years old, administrative assistant, Goiânia (GO) –Hello Maldonado! Congratulations on your work! You've quickly become a key player in Flamengo's strategy, and your temporary absence was felt in the midfield. As an international player, what do you think is most important to Flamengo in the 2010 Copa Libertadores?
\ Maldonado – The Libertadores must be played game by game, with maximum attention paid to each match. It's our biggest goal of the season, and we want to give this gift to Flamengo fans.
\
\ Josué Santiago Mariano Junior, 42 years old, musician, Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – What kind of players will Flamengo need to reinforce for the Libertadores?
\ Maldonado – We have an experienced coaching staff that is aware of these factors. Our squad is excellent, but reinforcements are always welcome.
\
\ Douglas Gomes Diniz Almeida, 26 years old, business administrator, Ceilândia (DF) –\ Since Mancuso, Flamengo hasn't had a midfielder with as much quality\ as you. Do you want to stay at Flamengo for a long time and\ become an idol for the Red-Black Nation?
\ Maldonado – I really like it here and I hope to win more titles with Flamengo. I don't intend to become an idol, but I guarantee that I will always step onto the field to work hard and achieve victories.
\