Many big names of football like Dani Alves or Adriano were part of the Brazil side that won the Toulon Tournament in 2002. Another gifted player was part of that winning squad : Diego Ribas.
Aged only 17 at that moment, the Brazilian attacking midfielder has shown in the south of France glimpses of the talent that allow him to enjoy a successful career : Diego began his career at Santos and then he played in Europe for Werder Bremen, Juventus, Wolfsburg, Atletico Madrid and Fenerbahçe before returning to Brazil at Flamengo in 2016.
Diego has clinched several titles with his different clubs (the Europa League in 2012 and the Spanish Liga in 2014 notably) as well as with the Brazilian national team (two Copa America) but the 33-year-old attacking midfielder hasn’t played a World Cup so far.
He hopes to fill the void during the next summer while the World Cup 2018 is now just three months away “I earned my first Brazil call-cup when I was 17. Since that day, I’m hoping to take part in a World Cup. Today, I think there is a real opportunity for this summer. It will depend on my performances”, he said to the Brazilian outlet SporTV.
This dream can become a reality : since returning to Brazil in 2016, the Flamengo star got back to his best and caught the eye of the Brazil’s head coach Tite who selected him at several times since he took charge of the Seleçao in June 2016.
Diego will probably take a closer look at the next Brazil’s squad announcement scheduled on 12th March.
Amayes Brahmi -