Monday night was special for the children of the Bola Pra Frente Institute, presided over by former Flamengo and Brazilian national team player Jorginho. The sixth Solidarity Dinner, celebrating the organization's tenth anniversary, was held at a party venue in Barra da Tijuca, a neighborhood in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro. And, as expected, Flamengo was very well represented at the event by players David, Diego Maurício, and Petkovic. The Flamengo Marketing Department also donated official jerseys to be raffled off at the dinner.

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Pet, who had already participated in the event in 2009, was one of the most enthusiastic. During a music and dance performance by some of the more than 900 children who participate in the institute, he didn't take his eyes off the stage and clapped enthusiastically. Already familiar with the project, he praised the initiative and expressed a desire to also become more directly involved in social causes in the future.

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"It's a great pleasure to be here. I participated last year and enjoyed it very much. The institute sets a great example for everyone who would like to contribute to society. It's a wonderful initiative and I'm happy to make this small contribution. I think this dedication and care are very important. I would certainly like to get more involved, but with a player's life it's a bit complicated. I always attend when possible, but having an institute is a very big step, but it's certainly a project for the future, after retirement," he said.

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Young Diego Maurício, who grew up in a poor community and is now enjoying a great moment as a starter for Flamengo, took the opportunity to leave a message of encouragement for children who believe that one day they can follow in his footsteps and become athletes.

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"I try to show my journey to these children so that they can live their lives in the best way possible. Overcoming challenges is very important. God has been fundamental in my life. I know I have friends who have gone down the wrong path, but I, thank God, overcame the difficulties and today I am here. I hope, in the best way possible, to show a positive image of overcoming everything I am achieving," said the striker, whose words were reinforced by David.

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"It's a great act of solidarity from Jorginho, and I'm happy to have been invited to participate. When I was younger, I had a small field in Guarulhos where I played soccer, and that certainly helped me overcome difficulties and achieve my dream. Bola Pra Frente deserves congratulations for the initiative; it's a really cool event. I'm here for the first time, and this even motivates me to pursue another dream I have, which is also to get involved in this social cause, with a soccer school or institute, to help these children so they can get to where I am today," he concluded.

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The Institute - The Bola Pra Frente Institute (www.bolaprafrente.org.brThe Bola Pra Frente (Ball Forward) project, an initiative of four-time world football champion Jorginho, was inaugurated on June 29, 2000. Located in an area of ​​11.570m² in the Guadalupe neighborhood, Bola Pra Frente serves children and adolescents in situations of social vulnerability, aged 6 to 17 years. The Solidarity Dinner is one of the events aimed at attracting partners to the institution, through cultural presentations by the children and interaction with athletes from various sports.

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