Wearing the Brazilian national team jersey is nothing new for these two young men. However, certainly none of their previous call-ups compare to the challenge that awaits goalkeeper Marcelo and defender Lucas. The two young Flamengo players were called up to participate in the country's biggest sporting event in 2007: the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The expectation for the call, in fact, began to emerge well before the list was announced.

When I learned that the U-17 team would represent Brazil at the Pan American Games, I started to get excited. I'd pass by the Pan American Village and tell my mom that I could spend a few days there. "We see the people of Rio de Janeiro following the construction of the new facilities with interest, we see the mobilization the Games are generating. It will be a great experience," says 17-year-old goalkeeper Marcelo.

Days after being called up, Marcelo was asked to do some training with Flamengo's professional team. Days earlier, he had been chosen to give a lecture at a school about the Pan American Games.

"It was one of the best weeks of my life. For Brazilian athletes, especially those from Rio de Janeiro, competing in the Pan American Games will be a great experience and a wonderful opportunity. We'll have the entire crowd behind us and the entire country watching our work. If we do well and win the gold medal, we'll have a very good projection," says Marcelo, who has been called up eight times and played 2005 matches for Brazil's youth teams since 30.

See below the profile of the red-and-black players who will compete in the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Marcelo Henrique Passos Carné\ Position: Goalkeeper\ Born: February 06, 1990, in Rio de Janeiro\ Weight: 84kg\ Height: 1,88m\ Titles at Flamengo: State Youth Champion in 2004 and 2006; Champion of the Otávio Pinto Guimarães Junior Tournament, in 2006.\ Brazilian National Team: For the under-15 team, he played in the Mediterranean International Cup, in 2005; he was Champion of the Under-15 South American Championship, in Bolivia, also in 2005; he was Champion of the Tampa International Tournament in the category, in the USA, also in 2005.\

Lucas Galdino de Paiva\ Position: Defender\ Born: June 28, 1990, in Rio de Janeiro\ Weight: 76 kg\ Height: 1,85 m\ Titles at Flamengo: State Youth Champion, in 2006\ Brazilian National Team: played in the Mediterranean International Cup, in 2005; South American Under-15 Champion, in Bolivia, in 2005; Champion of the Tampa International Tournament in the category, in the USA, also in 2005.\