Maldonado's wait is finally over. Last Wednesday, he traveled with the group to Chile, and this Sunday (March 21.03st), he's also in the squad for the derby against Botafogo in the Campeonato Carioca. After four months away from the field due to a serious knee injury, the midfielder is looking forward to returning to an official match for the red-and-black team.

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Still dreaming of a place in the Chilean national team, which will compete in the 2010 World Cup, Maldonado believes that a good performance upon his return is crucial for the rest of the season.

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"I'm fine, the team is focused on the derby, and we're confident we won't let anything stop us from winning. If I play, I'll do my best to do well. I'm looking forward to it, and I know it's very important to start off on the right foot," he explained.

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Toró, who has been filling Maldonado's role as the first midfielder, assures that he's not worried about his teammate's return. Quite the opposite. The number five believes that with Maldonado back, the team has everything to gain.

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"I'm very happy with his return. He's a national team player, still looking to play in a World Cup, and he can only help us. Last year, he fit in very well when he arrived alongside Alvaro. I'm sure he can be very useful this year too," he said.

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The Chilean was very pleased with his teammate's praise and the support of the fans, who chanted his name loudly during training this Saturday (20.03), in Gávea.

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"The group is very strong, and everyone here has their place. In the last game, for example, Alvim played in midfield. There's no vanity here, and that's very important. We don't just have 11 starters, but a squad. Whoever comes on can always perform. The support of my teammates and the fans was fundamental to my recovery," he concluded.

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At 30, Maldonado boasts several important titles on his resume. He's a two-time Brazilian champion, a Chilean champion, a four-time São Paulo champion, a two-time Minas Gerais champion, and a Copa do Brasil champion. But he's still chasing two titles: the Libertadores and the Rio de Janeiro State Championship, which he hopes to win in 2010 with Flamengo.