Diego admits chance to retire at the end of the season

Midfielder does not rule out possibility of ending career at the end of 2022

After qualifying for the Final of the Libertadores, Diego Ribas declared in the mixed zone that there is the possibility of retiring later this year, after the end of the season. The 37-year-old entered the second half of the match against Vélez Sarsfield (ARG) on Wednesday (07), in which the red-black team won 2-1 and confirmed the classification to the decision of the continental competition.

In all, at Flamengo, Diego has 280 matches, 211 of which are starting. There are 42 goals and 21 assists, in the more than 18,000 minutes on the pitch with the red-black shirt. When asked by journalists in the mixed zone, the 10 shirt made it clear that retiring after the end of the season is one of the alternatives, but who doesn’t want to focus on making decisions for now.

— It is a possibility (retirement), to end this cycle as a football player. I’m giving myself this time to confirm about it. I am at peace with this, and enjoying every moment –, said the player.

Seven seasons ago at Fla, Diego Ribas has had great moments with the club, and historic achievements as one of the captains in the Libertadores title in 2019. The midfielder said, after the game of this Wednesday (07), the difficulty of giving goodbye to the fields, but that he knows what he intends to do until that moment arrives.

— I’m managing to balance that. It’s not an easy situation for a football player (to say goodbye), but I’m very determined about it. That’s the moment, like I said at the press conference. I’m managing to enjoy the moments, but focused to meet expectations. My life is to compete, always in search of the trophy – completed.

Flamengo’s 10th shirt, which entered in the 84th minute in the second match of the semifinal against Vélez, vibrated with the classification of the Mais Querido to the big decision: “The feeling is one of gratitude, for all that I have lived and for what we will live. We arrived once again in the final, even stronger and more prepared. I am very happy in this very special environment of Maracanã“.

SEE THE CHAMPIONSHIPS DIEGO WON WITH FLAMENGO:

Carioca Championship: 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021
Guanabara Cup: 2018, 2020, 2021
Florida Cup: 2019
Rio Cup: 2019
Copa Libertadores: 2019
Brazilian Championship: 2019, 2020
Brazilian Super Cup: 2020, 2021
Recopa Sul Americana: 2020