In 2005, Flamengo nearly dropped to Série B of the Brasileirão. After a remarkable comeback in the final stretch of the championship, the team escaped the embarrassment. Eight months later, they won the first in a series of major titles: the Copa do Brasil. From that championship-winning team, only four players remain as Flamengo starters. And two of them want to finish the streak with the Libertadores and the World Cup, to go down in Flamengo history as champions of everything.

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The Copa do Brasil champions included, in addition to Léo and Toró, defender Ronaldo Angelim and left-back Juan, the former of whom did not play in the decisive match. They are the only two who remain as starters. Diego, the goalkeeper at the time, is now a reserve and may not even stay at Gávea.

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The trajectory is similar to that of the 1981 World Cup champions. Flamengo wasn't doing well until 1978, when they won their first title, the Carioca. They then went on to win three state titles, the Brazilian Championship, and finally, conquer the Americas and the world. Yes, the world is Léo Moura's obsession. When we ask if all that's missing is America, he replies:

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"The Libertadores and the World Cup are still to come. In 2010, I have another opportunity. With this group, we have every chance to reach the Libertadores and be champions. We just have to believe."

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And the focus is precisely on the core team Flamengo has maintained for some time. In 2008, when the team was embarrassingly eliminated from the Libertadores and failed to qualify for the top four in the Brasileirão, the board opted to keep most of the players. The policy worked.

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"We're ahead of the game because we've maintained our core team. I'm sure the players who arrive during the preseason will fit in well at Flamengo," the right-back says.