Operation Maldonado in Gávea
Committed to helping their teammate, Flamengo players will do everything to see him at the World Cup
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Coach Andrade said last week that five players are competing for three spots in Flamengo's midfield. However, the Flamengo squad is rooting for one in particular. Midfielder Maldonado arrived midway through last season and quickly gained a starting spot and the friendship of his teammates at Gávea. However, a serious knee injury sidelined him at the end of the year and even threatened his plans to play for the World Cup with his home country, Chile.
Determined not to let this happen, since the Chilean has returned to play for Flamengo, everyone at Rubro-negro thinks the same way: "We need to get Maldonado into the World Cup."
As soon as he was injured, the midfielder was replaced by Toró, who is currently a starter for Flamengo. Even so, when it comes to his teammate, the Gávea number 8 is very supportive.
"Maldonado has to go to the World Cup. Everyone here at Flamengo knows that everyone has their own moment. I started playing against América, he against Tigres, and that's up to Professor Andrade to decide. But our feeling is to help our teammate. There's no vanity among us. We're a very close-knit group, and a fight for position won't change that," said Toró.
Knowing that everyone at the club is committed to helping him return to the Chilean national team, Maldonado is even moved.
"I'm very happy with the support I receive from my teammates. It's very important that they help me through this process. It wasn't easy for me to be out of action for two months. If I were in their shoes, I would do the same thing. We're very united. It's good to know they're always by my side," said Maldonado.
Flamengo's Chilean midfielder, who played against Tigres last Wednesday and América last Sunday, also explained that he is in contact with Chile's coaching staff. He hopes to play a friendly before the final World Cup squad is named and then try to secure his spot.
"They always look for me. When I returned to playing, they spoke to me and I told them everything was fine. The important thing is that I remain calm. They know me very well and I hope to be called up for the last friendly in Chile. There, they will be able to confirm that I am in good physical and technical shape. We'll see what happens," Maldonado concluded.
Determined not to let this happen, since the Chilean has returned to play for Flamengo, everyone at Rubro-negro thinks the same way: "We need to get Maldonado into the World Cup."
As soon as he was injured, the midfielder was replaced by Toró, who is currently a starter for Flamengo. Even so, when it comes to his teammate, the Gávea number 8 is very supportive.
"Maldonado has to go to the World Cup. Everyone here at Flamengo knows that everyone has their own moment. I started playing against América, he against Tigres, and that's up to Professor Andrade to decide. But our feeling is to help our teammate. There's no vanity among us. We're a very close-knit group, and a fight for position won't change that," said Toró.
Knowing that everyone at the club is committed to helping him return to the Chilean national team, Maldonado is even moved.
"I'm very happy with the support I receive from my teammates. It's very important that they help me through this process. It wasn't easy for me to be out of action for two months. If I were in their shoes, I would do the same thing. We're very united. It's good to know they're always by my side," said Maldonado.
Flamengo's Chilean midfielder, who played against Tigres last Wednesday and América last Sunday, also explained that he is in contact with Chile's coaching staff. He hopes to play a friendly before the final World Cup squad is named and then try to secure his spot.
"They always look for me. When I returned to playing, they spoke to me and I told them everything was fine. The important thing is that I remain calm. They know me very well and I hope to be called up for the last friendly in Chile. There, they will be able to confirm that I am in good physical and technical shape. We'll see what happens," Maldonado concluded.