The first Monday of 2010 will be special for three young athletes from Clube de Regatas do Flamengo. Full-backs Rafael Galhardo and Jorbison, along with forward Diego Maurício, will report to the Brazilian U-4 National Team on January 20th. The trio were called up by coach Rogério Lourenço to compete in the U-20 National Team Tournament in Punta del Este, Uruguay.

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The tournament will feature Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, and Uruguay and will be held from January 6 to 12, 2010. The players will report on the 4th and travel to Uruguay shortly thereafter. Flamengo, with three players called up, is one of the teams that form the base of the national team. Grêmio, Internacional, and São Paulo also had three players called up to represent the country. Cruzeiro, Santos, Vitória, Vasco, Atlético-PR, and Botafogo each have one player called up.

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The delegation will be presented at 10 a.m. on the 4th at Tom Jobim International Airport. Brazil will play on January 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th. Full-back Galhardo spoke with Flamengo's official website about the opportunity to wear the yellow jersey and assured that he will do his best to be remembered in future call-ups.

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"Playing for the Brazilian national team is important for any player at any level, and it's no different for me. I was very happy with the call-up and hope to do well enough to be called up again soon. It's going to be an important tournament, against some great teams, and I believe it will be a great experience," said the number 2, who had a few opportunities with Flamengo's professional team in 2009.

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With their call-up, Galhardo, Diego, and Jorbison will be missing from the Rubro-Negro youth team in the first phase of the São Paulo Junior Cup. Mengão debuts on the 3rd in Group S of the Copinha, which will be played in Taubaté. Armênio Moura's team will face, in addition to the home team, Shallom, from Rondônia, and Paulista, from Jundiaí. However, if they qualify, the team should be able to count on reinforcements from the national team.