As Diego Maurício likes to say, everything in his career has been happening so quickly. In just over two months, the player switched from the Campeonato Carioca de Juniores to the Brasileirão, donning the Flamengo jersey and taking on the role of starting center forward. Now, the young striker is looking forward to playing his first Clássico dos Milhões with the senior team.

And for the number 49, the match should truly be special. According to him, Flamengo and Vasco are the clubs with the biggest rivalry in Rio de Janeiro football, and the game is the one that stirs the most passion among Rio de Janeiro fans. Therefore, expectations are high for next Sunday's duel (August 01.08).

"It's the great rivalry in Rio football. Not to discredit Fluminense and Botafogo, but the game everyone wants to play is against Vasco. It's different. The players on both sides give more of themselves and strive for the result. I believe it will be a great spectacle. I hope we come out victorious," he said.

Despite his anxiety, Diego assures he won't let the expectation affect his performance on the field. Having already faced Fluminense and Botafogo, he feels a bit more experienced for the match against Vasco.

"Everything happened very quickly in my professional life and I'm even a little calmer. I'm already going to my third state derby with the main team, if Professor Rogério picks me. It will be a special match, for sure, but I'm calm," he added.

\

Check out the photo gallery on Flamengo's Official Website

\

Check out the audio gallery on Flamengo's Official Website

\

Participate in the "Red-Black Dad is a Champion" promotion

\

Participate in the "Be part of this team" promotion