Full of dreams, Diego Maurício plans the future
The young striker from Flamengo knows he needs to work hard to advance in his career.
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
When he was called upon by coach Rogério Lourenço, near the midway point of the second half of the match between Flamengo and Grêmio Prudente, which the Rubro-Negro won 3-1, 18-year-old Diego Maurício felt he could play a decisive role in the game, which was tied. And for that to happen, he had to overcome many difficulties, even greater than those of the São Paulo team's defenders.
Since his nine-year tenure at Flamengo, Diego Maurício has been 'summoned' by journalists after the game. As resourceful with words as he is with the ball, the young striker explained what went through his mind before stepping onto the field for the first time as a professional. Not without first joking with the reporters: "Is this all for me?"
"Today I told all my family to come to the game. I wanted them all by my side at this point in my career. When I went out on the field, I thought about showing everything I learned at Flamengo's youth academy. I needed to prove how capable the Flamengo youth academy is and how well we work there. I really wanted to repay everything they did for me," said Diego Maurício, who didn't feel pressured, even though he came on at a difficult moment in the match.
"I've been at Flamengo since I was a kid. And it's at the youth level that we learned what Flamengo is all about. If we're under pressure there, imagine what it's like at the professional level. We leave the youth level prepared for this. I'm used to Flamengo and I know very well what the club represents. Not just for me, but for the fans and everyone else who works at the club. I think I was happy and was able to show that I'm slowly making my way there," said the young striker.
After suffering Flamengo's second penalty in the match, Diego Maurício explained why he had his back to the goal when Vagner Love shot.
"It's something I always do. At the base, I usually take penalties. When that doesn't happen, I stand with my back to the goal, thanking God. I've been through a lot of hardship. I come from a humble family, from a community, and I can't help but glorify God."
Regarding his new teammates, the striker, recently promoted to the professional ranks, only had praise for them.
"I'm 18 years old and I arrived among established players. Even so, they were always by my side, giving me strength. Bruno, Léo Moura and Vagner Love, among others, gave me a lot of support. They came and said: 'Go in, Negão'. That was very important to me," said Diego Maurício, who has a contract with Flamengo until 2012 and hopes to make history wearing the sacred jersey.
"I'm very happy to wear this shirt. I'm just starting out and I have a long way to go. I hope to stay here for another 10, 20 years and I also hope to make it to the professional team, just as I made it to the U-20s. I have to keep working to achieve these goals and to bring joy to this wonderful fan base," he concluded with his promise.
Since his nine-year tenure at Flamengo, Diego Maurício has been 'summoned' by journalists after the game. As resourceful with words as he is with the ball, the young striker explained what went through his mind before stepping onto the field for the first time as a professional. Not without first joking with the reporters: "Is this all for me?"
"Today I told all my family to come to the game. I wanted them all by my side at this point in my career. When I went out on the field, I thought about showing everything I learned at Flamengo's youth academy. I needed to prove how capable the Flamengo youth academy is and how well we work there. I really wanted to repay everything they did for me," said Diego Maurício, who didn't feel pressured, even though he came on at a difficult moment in the match.
"I've been at Flamengo since I was a kid. And it's at the youth level that we learned what Flamengo is all about. If we're under pressure there, imagine what it's like at the professional level. We leave the youth level prepared for this. I'm used to Flamengo and I know very well what the club represents. Not just for me, but for the fans and everyone else who works at the club. I think I was happy and was able to show that I'm slowly making my way there," said the young striker.
After suffering Flamengo's second penalty in the match, Diego Maurício explained why he had his back to the goal when Vagner Love shot.
"It's something I always do. At the base, I usually take penalties. When that doesn't happen, I stand with my back to the goal, thanking God. I've been through a lot of hardship. I come from a humble family, from a community, and I can't help but glorify God."
Regarding his new teammates, the striker, recently promoted to the professional ranks, only had praise for them.
"I'm 18 years old and I arrived among established players. Even so, they were always by my side, giving me strength. Bruno, Léo Moura and Vagner Love, among others, gave me a lot of support. They came and said: 'Go in, Negão'. That was very important to me," said Diego Maurício, who has a contract with Flamengo until 2012 and hopes to make history wearing the sacred jersey.
"I'm very happy to wear this shirt. I'm just starting out and I have a long way to go. I hope to stay here for another 10, 20 years and I also hope to make it to the professional team, just as I made it to the U-20s. I have to keep working to achieve these goals and to bring joy to this wonderful fan base," he concluded with his promise.