A new bet from Flamengo's youth categories

A new bet from Flamengo's youth categories.

Guilherme "Negueba" gets a chance in the professional team under coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo.

By From the official website team - in 29/10/2010 às 09:21

The boy who had never set foot on a football field when he arrived at Gávea in 2001 is now one of the promising players that coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo plans to develop for Flamengo's future. Guilherme Ferreira Pinto, better known as "Negueba" in the youth divisions, is 18 years old, has been with the club for nine years, and was called up to the professional team for the first time last Tuesday (October 26.10th), when he joined the team for the match against Corinthians on Wednesday (October 27.10th).

A product of Jacarepaguá's futsal program, Guilherme has been a Flamengo fan since childhood, comes from a family of Flamengo supporters, and is fulfilling a dream since receiving the news from his junior coach, Paulo Henrique, that Vanderlei Luxemburgo would like to have him on the first team.

One of the standout players on the under-20 team, this midfielder, who usually plays wide on the wings to utilize his main attributes – skill and speed – also played in some matches in the Under-23 Cup and was playing in the Octávio Pinto Guimarães Cup (OPG). But now he is permanently in the professional team.

Check out an exclusive interview with the player below:

The moment of the 'call-up' - It was a huge surprise. I was training with the juniors when coach Paulo Henrique (coach of the under-20 team) took me out of training. I was scared and started thinking I had done something wrong. Then he gave me the news. I was in shock, you know? But he said it was serious, so I went there, trained with the professionals and, thank God, I did well.

The first concentration - During the pre-match gathering it was also funny, because Clebinho (the kit man) came to ask me if I had my clothes and things at the training center. I said no, then he told me to try and ask my mother or someone to bring them to me, because I was going to the hotel. It was an indescribable feeling.

Early career – I started playing futsal in Jacarepaguá, then I went to Jequiá, and then I was invited to play for Flamengo on the field. I had never played on a field before. It was actually quite difficult for me to adapt. But I had two coaches, Anthony and Cleber, who helped me a lot to get to where I am today.

Vanderlei Luxemburgo – I was very pleased to be called up by him. He talked to me, asked me to continue training with the first team, and knowing that Vanderlei Luxemburgo, who is a guy who has won everything in Brazilian football, who has a history, wants you in the squad is a great honor. Knowing that he approves of your football and believes in you is very gratifying.

Motivation at the base – Knowing that the youth players are being used is a great motivation for those who are there. It was no different for me. We played a practice match against the reserves of the professional team, I tried my best and ended up getting that chance. The next day, I trained in the scrimmage with the first team, I was selected... It certainly gives you an extra boost knowing that they are observing and giving opportunities to the players developed in the youth system.

future – I plan to be very successful here at Flamengo. That's definitely my dream. There's still a lot to do, I'm just starting out, but I want to take advantage of every chance, every opportunity, work hard, so that one day I can follow in the footsteps of players like those who are now in the first team, like Welinton and Diego Maurício.

Dreams become reality. – It's a dream come true. It's hard to believe, but I work every day thinking about this moment. My heart belongs to Flamengo, my family are Flamengo fans, and everyone is very happy. They know how much this means to me. I can only thank coach Luxemburgo. It was the best news I received this year.