One of Flamengo's prospects for this Brazilian Championship, attacking midfielder Marcelinho Paraíba will play his first Fla-Flu match for the red-and-black team on Sunday. The player is anxious, but confident that the Gávea team will perform well.

"It's my first Fla-Flu match, and I'm really looking forward to it. We're ready to play a great game and maintain our good run in the Brazilian Championship. It will be a very difficult match, but only a win matters. We'll play in front of our fans at the Maracanã, and we have to fight hard. We know that a win would put us in a good position in the standings."

After three games, Marcelinho Paraíba hopes to score his first goal for Flamengo. For Sunday, the player has prepared a surprise for the fans.

"I'm going to dye my hair red for the game. It will be a tribute to Flamengo. I hope to score my first goal for Flamengo in a Fla-Flu match. I'm looking forward to celebrating a goal with the red-and-black nation. They deserve it."

photo: Adriano Dionysio