Young Rafael Galhardo had his first opportunity to enter the field for Flamengo's professional team this year on the night of last Thursday (26.08), against Atlético Mineiro, at Maracanã. The 42-year-old number 20 had already played in some matches of the campaign for the sixth title in 2009, as a right-back, his original position, but against Galo he played differently.

After standing out in the Eurofarma Junior Super Cup in Barueri last month, playing as a midfielder, he was once again selected as such by Rogério Lourenço among the professionals and believes he formed a good partnership with Leonardo Moura, playing on the right side of the red-black attack.

"Professor Paulo Henrique picked me like that in São Paulo for the youth team, and I think I developed well. Now in the professional team, I think I can repeat that. It was a good debut. Rogério gave me freedom to play alongside Leo, and we managed to create some plays. Unfortunately, the ball didn't go in, but I think we did a good job on the right," said the player, who hopes to have a string of opportunities in the Brasileirão.

"Expectations are high. I always try to work hard so that when the opportunity arises, I can seize it in the best way possible. I gave it my best shot and now I need to keep working hard to perform well again in the rest of the championship," he said.

Applauded and praised by the fans, Galhardo thanked the Rubro-Negra Nation for their affection and promised to always do his best to count on the support of the fans.

"It's important to have the affection of the fans. The fans applauded me, praised me after the game, and I always try to please them with my football," he concluded.

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