If Flamengo players are committed to making Maldonado go to the World Cup, even after a serious knee injury that kept him out of action for four months, another Chilean Flamengo player appears to have secured his World Cup call-up. Gonzalo Fierro was once again remembered by coach Marcelo Bielsa and will face Venezuela in a friendly this Wednesday in Santiago.

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While the entire red-and-black squad had Monday and Tuesday off, Fierro traveled to Chile to represent his national team. He's delighted that this is another important step on his journey to South Africa and hopes to get a chance to play for a few minutes.

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"With each passing day, we're getting closer to the World Cup. I think these friendlies are very important for us, since we didn't use a FIFA date due to the earthquake in our country. Our preparations are well planned, and I hope to have a chance to play in this game against Venezuela. It will be a valid test, and we have to play with great seriousness," said the player, who enjoyed great success in his country playing for Colo-Colo.

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Maldonado, who has already revealed that he is in constant contact with the national team's coach, was not called up, but remains hopeful of making it to the World Cup. Chile is in Group H, along with Spain, Honduras, and Switzerland.