From Gávea to India: a Flamengo prodigy’s toughest test | OneFootball

Diego Maurício, known among Flamengo supporters as “Drogbinha,” has opened up about his journey since emerging as a promising attacker from Flamengo’s youth academy—a career that has taken him across Europe and Asia and shaped his perspectives on football and life abroad.

In a recent interview, Diego Maurício spoke about the various leagues he experienced after his departure from Gávea. When asked which league he considered the most competitive, his answer was clear: “Without a doubt, Portugal. Facing Porto, Benfica, Sporting… those are the country’s three biggest clubs. The league is strong, and the cities are great places to live as well.”

The striker, who built a significant part of his career outside Brazil, particularly reflected on his time in India. There, he faced not only challenges on the pitch, but also a steep personal adjustment. “People only see the part where you’re a top scorer—they praise you and love you—but everyday life isn’t easy there. The city and the culture are completely different from what we’re used to.” Despite these hurdles, Diego Maurício became one of the top scorers in Indian Super League history, gaining recognition with clubs such as Odisha FC and Mumbai City.

He emphasized that his adaptation in India was even more difficult than his spell in Russia: “In Russia, I was an hour from Moscow and could spend my days off there. But in India, adjusting personally was much harder.” He credits his success in India to approaching the challenge with curiosity and humility, asking questions and learning about local customs to help both himself and his family settle.

Maurício also noted that, despite the off-field difficulties, conditions on the pitch were more manageable in India. Clubs provided support for foreign players, including transport with a driver available around the clock, which allowed him to focus on his performances. “On the field things went really well. I became my team’s top scorer almost every year and made it into the league’s all-time top five scorers.”

His experiences across continents underline not just the unpredictability of a football career, but the resourcefulness demanded of players who seek success in unfamiliar environments. For Flamengo fans, “Drogbinha” is more than a nickname—he has carried lessons from Gávea to every corner of his journey, leaving a mark through goals, leadership, and a willingness to embrace the unknown.

Source: Lance