"Léo Moura is a role model for me," says young full-back Digão
The 20-year-old player is still officially a member of the youth team, but is training with the professionals for the third week in a row.
By Communication - Official Club Website - inRight-back Digão's life story is intertwined with his history at Flamengo. Twelve years ago, he arrived at Mais Querido to play in the futsal squad. He grew up at Gávea, then moved onto the pitch, and today trains with the seniors at his beloved club. Full-back Léo Moura has become his teammate, but for Digão, the 12-year-old is still much more than just a training partner.
"I talk a lot with Léo Moura because he gives me a lot of space to talk to him. He's a role model for me, not only as an athlete, but also as a person. He always tells me that training with the professionals was the first step. Now, I need to work even harder to take the second step, which is playing," said Digão.
Digão is 20 years old and plays for Flamengo's youth team. However, since the Flamengo U-20 team is on vacation and the full-back has been playing excellent football in 2013, Jorginho invited him to train with the senior team after the second leg of the Rio de Janeiro Junior Championship final two and a half weeks ago. Besides him, goalkeeper Luan, defender Samir, and midfielder Thomás are also training with the senior team and are still unsure whether they will return to the U-20 team after the junior team's break.
"These last few weeks have been really good. I'm really happy for the opportunity and I only have to gain from training with the first team. I've been working really hard and I'm taking advantage of the opportunities I'm getting in training matches, giving my all to stay in the professional ranks," said Digão.
In 2013, Jorginho gave Digão a chance to start a match. It was on April 20th, when Flamengo beat Macaé 3-1 in the Campeonato Carioca. But his professional debut for the Mais Querido was over a year ago. On January 21st, 2012, then-coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo brought the youngster on in the second half of Flamengo's 4-0 rout of Bonsucesso. Today, Digão awaits another opportunity in an official match.
"I'm not nervous, but I'm looking forward to the second opportunity Jorginho might give me to play. He's been talking to me and giving me a lot of praise. It also gives me confidence and helps me a bit that he played the same position I do," said Digão.
"I talk a lot with Léo Moura because he gives me a lot of space to talk to him. He's a role model for me, not only as an athlete, but also as a person. He always tells me that training with the professionals was the first step. Now, I need to work even harder to take the second step, which is playing," said Digão.
Digão is 20 years old and plays for Flamengo's youth team. However, since the Flamengo U-20 team is on vacation and the full-back has been playing excellent football in 2013, Jorginho invited him to train with the senior team after the second leg of the Rio de Janeiro Junior Championship final two and a half weeks ago. Besides him, goalkeeper Luan, defender Samir, and midfielder Thomás are also training with the senior team and are still unsure whether they will return to the U-20 team after the junior team's break.
"These last few weeks have been really good. I'm really happy for the opportunity and I only have to gain from training with the first team. I've been working really hard and I'm taking advantage of the opportunities I'm getting in training matches, giving my all to stay in the professional ranks," said Digão.
In 2013, Jorginho gave Digão a chance to start a match. It was on April 20th, when Flamengo beat Macaé 3-1 in the Campeonato Carioca. But his professional debut for the Mais Querido was over a year ago. On January 21st, 2012, then-coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo brought the youngster on in the second half of Flamengo's 4-0 rout of Bonsucesso. Today, Digão awaits another opportunity in an official match.
"I'm not nervous, but I'm looking forward to the second opportunity Jorginho might give me to play. He's been talking to me and giving me a lot of praise. It also gives me confidence and helps me a bit that he played the same position I do," said Digão.