"Blessed by God" and Flamengo by nature.
Diego Maurício thanks heaven for a good year, emphasizes his connection with Flamengo, and dreams of the Olympics.
By From the official website team - inWhile in January he was still absent from the junior team, which was competing in the São Paulo Cup, in December the striker was enjoying a few days of vacation after being one of the highlights of the professional team in the Brazilian Championship. On January 17th, he scored four times and Flamengo debuted with a 7-1 thrashing of Caxias in the Junior State Championship.
Four months later, on May 23rd, he was already in the first team, making his debut and playing well against Prudente. On July 21st, in his third game for the main team, he scored his first goal against Avaí at the Maracanã. By the end of the year, he had four more goals in 29 games, 13 of them as a starter. A rapid rise that earned him the chance to compete in the South American Championship, which could guarantee Brazil a place in the 2012 Olympics.
\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \After this successful season individually, Diego spoke with the team from Flamengo's official website and talked about the support of his family, the recognition and pressure from the fans, and also revealed his expectations for the future. With his contract renewed until 2015, he hopes to continue shining for Flamengo.
Check out the full conversation below:
The year 2010: Unfortunately, we didn't have a winning season, as the club and the fans deserved, but we ended the year in Série A, with a spot in the Copa Sudamericana, and that was important. For me, it was an incredible year. Everything happened very quickly and I'm very satisfied. I'm very happy on an individual level; I think those five months were very important for me, but of course, we're disappointed that we didn't achieve a better position in the Brazilian Championship.
\ \ \ \ \ \Flamengo 2011: We have to work hard to put Flamengo where it deserves to be; fighting for titles. I don't even have words to describe coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo. He's a winning coach who gives us a lot of confidence. I'm sure we'll have a strong, united group to fight for all the competitions we'll be playing in.
Example for those coming from the youth ranks: Overcoming challenges is very important. God has been fundamental in my life. I know I have friends who have gone down the wrong path, but I, thank God, overcame the difficulties and today I am here. I hope, in the best way possible, to show a positive image of overcoming challenges and of everything I am achieving. I tell everyone to never stop believing in God and to trust that dreams can indeed become reality.
\ \ \ \ \ \Contract renewal: I'm very happy with this recognition, but I know I still have a lot of work to do to stay in the first team. Of course, I'm very satisfied with all of this. I signed until 2015, but it could have been until 2025. If the club wants, as far as I'm concerned, I'll play here my whole life. The way everything happened, how the management handled it, also made me very happy. The negotiation was very well conducted, my personal life is also very good, and I thank God very much, who has been blessing me and making all of this possible.
Identification with the club: I've been at Flamengo since I was little. And it's in the youth academy that we learn what Flamengo is all about. If we have pressure there, imagine in the professional ranks. We leave the youth academy prepared for that. I'm used to Flamengo and I know very well what the club represents. Not only for me, but also for the fans and for everyone else who works at the club. I think I was lucky and I was able to show that I'm slowly getting there.
\ \ \ \ \ \Under-20 National Team: I am very happy with the opportunity. I thank everyone for their support. My teammates, my family, and I hope to represent our country well, helping Brazil to win the title and also a spot in the Olympic Games. I am happy, yes, but I know that I still need to work hard, continue striving, to go even further.
Gallardo: Galhardo is more than just a teammate. He's a friend, also a roommate, and I even joked with him, saying that we're together again. I'm happy about this recognition of Flamengo's youth academy. For those who grow up here, this is a dream come true.
\ \ \ \Olympic Games: Every player of that age dreams of competing in the Olympic Games. It's no different for me. But I know the road there is still long. We have to think about the South American Championship first, win the title, secure a spot, and keep working to remain in the squad, especially under coach Ney Franco. That way, I hope to secure a place in the group that goes to London.
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