To consecrate a return in style
After suffering a serious knee injury in 2009, Maldonado hopes to crown his comeback with a World Cup call-up
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Maldonado arrived at Flamengo in August 2009 to help shape the club's defensive system. He came in, adapted quickly, and was instrumental in the Gávea team's run in the Brazilian Championship. So much so that he was called up to the Chilean national team again. However, an injury in his first match representing the country sidelined him for four months.
After a difficult recovery, he returned in style this season and hopes to crown his comeback with a call-up for the World Cup in South Africa. Coach Marcelo Bielsa is expected to announce the 23 Chileans who will compete in the competition, which begins on June 11, later this Tuesday.
"I've played in three qualifiers, but this is the first chance I've had to participate in a World Cup. But I'm calm, I know everything I've done and I know I've worked hard, seriously, to be on this list and now it's just a matter of waiting," he said.
Calm and confident in his call-up, Maldonado makes no secret of the fact that being left off the list would be a disappointment. But he assures that, if that happens, he won't be discouraged and will continue to do his best for Flamengo.
"It would be very sad for anyone who dreams of being called up and ends up not going. You wait four years to play in a World Cup, so it's sad, but it happens. You have to accept it and keep working and showing the world that you have what it takes," he added.
After a difficult recovery, he returned in style this season and hopes to crown his comeback with a call-up for the World Cup in South Africa. Coach Marcelo Bielsa is expected to announce the 23 Chileans who will compete in the competition, which begins on June 11, later this Tuesday.
"I've played in three qualifiers, but this is the first chance I've had to participate in a World Cup. But I'm calm, I know everything I've done and I know I've worked hard, seriously, to be on this list and now it's just a matter of waiting," he said.
Calm and confident in his call-up, Maldonado makes no secret of the fact that being left off the list would be a disappointment. But he assures that, if that happens, he won't be discouraged and will continue to do his best for Flamengo.
"It would be very sad for anyone who dreams of being called up and ends up not going. You wait four years to play in a World Cup, so it's sad, but it happens. You have to accept it and keep working and showing the world that you have what it takes," he added.