After an above-average start to the second half of the year, Maldonado ended 2009 in a very different way than expected. He even celebrated his sixth Brazilian championship with his Flamengo teammates and was widely acclaimed by the fans as one of the key figures in the conquest. However, he missed the final stretch of the competition due to a knee injury he suffered in a match marking his return to the Chilean national team. Two months have passed since then, and the midfielder continues his recovery with his sights set on the Copa Libertadores.

\

Maldonado has been working hard to return to the field as soon as possible. He's already in the final stages of his recovery and should be available to coach Andrade by mid-March. Until then, he's undergoing physical therapy and physical activity to maintain his conditioning and regain movement in the injured area. He knows he'll have to work hard to reach the same level as his teammates, but his only goal is to return in time to help Flamengo win the long-awaited Copa Libertadores title for the second time.

\

"The recovery is good, fast, and everything is going according to plan. I'm working hard to get back as soon as possible. I know I'm still behind my teammates, who are already at a very good level after a great preseason, but I'm working hard to reach their level as soon as possible and be able to help Flamengo win the titles that are our goal. I want to continue making history at Flamengo," he said.

\

The Chilean midfielder was so embraced by the red-and-black fans that even he was surprised. A dedicated midfielder, he was considered one of the players responsible for reshaping the defense of coach Andrade's team. After all, since his arrival alongside defender Álvaro, the team has reorganized and begun its push toward the sixth title. Maldonado believes this factor was crucial to his success at Gávea.

\

"I didn't expect such a quick adaptation, and I'm very happy. I think the fans have a lot of affection for me, and I'm very pleased about that. I know that since I arrived, the team has evolved a lot, grown in the Brazilian Championship, and ended up winning the title, and people see that," he concluded.