Defender Cleiton participated this Monday (4) in the program “Garotos do Ninho”, on FlaTV, and spoke a little about his good phase in the U-20. The defender also told what the experience of playing professionally was like and projected the match against Palmeiras, for the Brazilian U-20 Championship, in Volta Redonda. Check out some excerpts from the interview:

Expectation for the decision
"Expectations are the best possible; this final is important. It will be a tough game, we're ready, it's been a good week of preparation. God willing, we'll come out of this champion."

Road to the final
"It was a difficult decision. We came from the beginning, with ups and downs. We suffered a defeat, and the players became discouraged, but then we came in believing in our work. We managed to take off and reach the final."

On the field

"Mário demands a lot of teamwork, but sometimes the individual is always there. There's Lorran, Werton, Pedrinho, Petterson... they're great players, but our collective effort is impeccable; we always try to help each other. It's important, and I hope the team wins again in this final."

His journey to Mengão
"It all started out normal, at Professor Eguinaldo's academy at Inter de Itaperoba. I started playing on regular pitches, in neighborhood championships, and managed to make it to a tournament in the backlands of Bahia, where I excelled at left back. I went to Desportivo Brasil, stayed for five months, came back, and stayed at the academy. One day, they managed to get me an evaluation at Figueirense, but it didn't work out. Then I was accepted by Canaã, where I played my first São Paulo Cup, excelled, and Flamengo signed me."

*Under supervision of Rômulo Paranhos

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