It was 270 minutes of tension. Juan returned to training with the rest of the squad, completing all the preseason training in Porto Feliz, in the interior of São Paulo, but was unable to debut with his teammates in the first round of the Campeonato Carioca, against Duque de Caxias. He served a three-game suspension for an argument with midfielder Maicossuel during a match in the second round of the 2009 State Championship. But he held out, continued training, and is now back.

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There was a possibility that the player's debut would be postponed until Sunday's derby against Fluminense, but the number 6 is eager to return to action. On Monday, he trained normally among the starters, filling the spot previously occupied by Everton Silva, and it appears that Andrade will name him to start on Wednesday against Americano.

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"I want to play soon. I'm anxious to get back. I did the entire preseason and was in a position to play against Duque de Caxias, but unfortunately, I couldn't. It happens. Now it's time to get back on the field, try to start well, get back into the swing of things, and that's why I believe this game will be very important for me," explained Juan.

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A product of São Paulo's youth academy, Juan also played for Fluminense and even Arsenal in England before joining Flamengo in 2006. However, it was at Gávea that the player truly found his feet. He scored the winning goal in the Copa do Brasil that year and has been a key player for the red-and-black team ever since. He won four more trophies with Flamengo and was long considered the best in Brazil at his position.

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And the full-back hopes this can soon become his reality once again. Who knows, maybe even with a passport to South Africa? After all, one of Dunga's regular players in his position, Felipe Luis of Deportivo La Coruña, was injured last week and is out of the World Cup.

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"Of course, the national team is an important goal. But it's still early. My first concern is to return in good shape, but I believe that if I do a good job at Flamengo, I can indeed dream about the World Cup," said the player.