Flamengo's Diego helped an 11-year-old with cystic fibrosis be a matchday mascot

By James Kilpatrick
published

The former Brazil international carried a device in a bag on his shoulder which enabled young Linda Ilana to breathe

Diego Flamengo

Ilana had recently been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, but that didn't stop Flamengo from giving her the opportunity to be a matchday mascot at the Maracana ahead of their clash with Sao Paulo on Wednesday night.

Before the game, the 32-year-old – formerly of Werder Bremen, Juventus, Wolfsburg and Atletico Madrid – entered the pitch holding Ilana's hand while he supported her breathing.

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James Kilpatrick