No sooner had he been promoted to Flamengo's first team than Diego Maurício could already say goodbye to Maracanã this Saturday. At 18:30 p.m., Flamengo faces Goiás in what could be the club's last game at the stadium before renovations begin on the World's Largest Stadium for the 2014 World Cup. If this is confirmed, the Gávea team would only return to play there in 2012. There, Diego will already be 21 years old and, if it's up to him, will have many goals and titles to his name with the Flamengo jersey. In addition to the 22 he's already scored for the youth team this year, the striker hopes to start finding the net in the first team as well.

\

With the transfers of Adriano and Bruno Mezenga and the injuries to Dênis Marques and Vagner Love, the young striker, a product of Flamengo's youth academy and recently called up to the Brazilian U-20 national team, has emerged as an option and gained the trust of coach Rogério Lourenço. Proof of this is that he has started Flamengo's last four Brasileirão games and now has a strong chance of starting against Goiás.

\

"I'm very happy. As I always say, I've been waiting for a chance for some time and they keep coming. I don't know if I'll be a starter yet, but if I am, I guarantee I'll grab this opportunity that Professor Rogério can give me with all my strength and I hope to deliver on the field," he said.

\

Knowing that this could be a historic match for Maracanã, Diego wants to create special memories of this date. That's why he dreams of starting and scoring his first goal for Flamengo's first team.

"It's a special game, because it's my farewell to Maracanã, and if it's my first as a starter, it will also be etched in my memory. I hope to repay the trust of the committee, the group, and also the fans with goals. I hope to bring a lot of joy to this Nation," said the player, who recognizes the responsibility of replacing Vagner Love.

\

"He's a unique player, and it's obviously a huge task to replace him. But the spirit is what Bruno said: we have to prove our worth every day here at Flamengo. With every opportunity we get, we have to give our all to help the team," he concluded.