Diego Lima celebrates his chance to become a professional
The young goalkeeper went from reserve for the juniors to third-choice goalkeeper for the main team last week.
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Itu (SP) - Goalkeeper Diego Lima is enjoying a happy moment in his career. From reserve for the youth team to third-choice goalkeeper for the senior team, the goalkeeper is getting the chance of a lifetime at Flamengo. At 20 years old, the youngster, champion of the Rio de Janeiro youth championship in 2006, two-time winner of the international water circuit tournament in 2006 and 2007, and champion of the Macaé Cup in 2007, has earned his first opportunity with the senior team and hopes to stay there for a long time.
The news, of course, took the player by surprise. He took advantage of the fact that Marcelo Carné, a starter for the youth team, had been left out of the final youth games to showcase his talent and gain the confidence of the coaching staff, securing his move to Itu.
"It was a surprise for me. I wasn't even a starter for the juniors, and then the opportunity to play came up. I played a few matches in the State Championship and, suddenly, I'm here. It was a real shock. But that's what we're here for, and now we have to work hard to make the most of this opportunity," said the player, who had no problems adapting to the group.
"The adaptation was smooth. The group is very good. I have some teammates who have already played with me in the youth team and who also help at this time, because they have been in the professional team for longer. I have just moved up and I still have to find my place," he observed.
Diego assures that he was not tense when he received the news and stated that now is the time to work to remain among the professionals.
"I wasn't nervous. I'm calm. It's all sunk in now and we're going to let it happen and see what happens (laughs)," he concluded.
New on Flamengo's official website: check out our image galleries
The news, of course, took the player by surprise. He took advantage of the fact that Marcelo Carné, a starter for the youth team, had been left out of the final youth games to showcase his talent and gain the confidence of the coaching staff, securing his move to Itu.
"It was a surprise for me. I wasn't even a starter for the juniors, and then the opportunity to play came up. I played a few matches in the State Championship and, suddenly, I'm here. It was a real shock. But that's what we're here for, and now we have to work hard to make the most of this opportunity," said the player, who had no problems adapting to the group.
"The adaptation was smooth. The group is very good. I have some teammates who have already played with me in the youth team and who also help at this time, because they have been in the professional team for longer. I have just moved up and I still have to find my place," he observed.
Diego assures that he was not tense when he received the news and stated that now is the time to work to remain among the professionals.
"I wasn't nervous. I'm calm. It's all sunk in now and we're going to let it happen and see what happens (laughs)," he concluded.
New on Flamengo's official website: check out our image galleries