"Maldonado's recovery is progressing surprisingly well." This is how a news article on the website of La Tercera, one of the most important newspapers in the Andean country, begins. The newspaper celebrates the Flamengo midfielder's return to training after just over two months of forced inactivity due to a ligament injury in his left knee in November 2009, when he was playing for the Chilean national team against Slovakia.

"[Maldonado] was the main new player in Flamengo's training session, after touching the ball again for the first time since suffering his serious injury," the report states.

"According to the most optimistic estimate from the Rio de Janeiro team's medical department, Maldonado should return to the field in mid-March, although analyzing his rapid progress and considering that he has already started shooting again, this deadline could be brought forward," adds La Tercera.

In his final match for Flamengo, Maldonado shone, scoring the second goal in a 3-2 victory over Atlético-MG on November 8th at Mineirão Stadium.