Leonardo Moura still fondly remembers his beginnings in Botafogo's youth divisions. However, fate has placed the Flamengo right-back in an unusual situation. It was against his original club that he won his second state championship and could now join the select group of players who have won three championships with Flamengo. At 30 years old, Leonardo Moura is the player in the current squad with the most appearances for the team (212 games) and makes no secret of his desire to definitively enter the gallery of idols for the fans.

"It's a great source of pride to be fighting for a three-peat wearing the red and black jersey, even more so against the club that launched my career. I haven't forgotten my beginnings at Botafogo, I have affection for the people who are still there, but I want to make history with Flamengo. The final won't be easy, but I will fight hard for this title," assures the full-back, who has been at Gávea since 2005.

Zé Roberto, the midfielder who was runner-up with Botafogo in 2007, is also eager to decide a title for Flamengo. The number 10 acknowledges that he will face more pressure because of his past with Botafogo, but assures that his main concern is the team's success in the State Championship finals.

"Flamengo's fanbase is the biggest in Brazil, so they demand more. Anyone who's been on the other side knows how much they encourage or demand, depending on what's happening on the field. I want to help in the best way possible; I was hired to play well, but the title, the three-peat, the club are far more important than my personal life. Flamengo's success is much more important than mine."