I don't really know what to think about it. In 2008 he played for Flamengo, but by then he was nothing but a squad player (often started, often came from the bench), who had his special moments*, but that was it - he was never the solution to our attacking problems, and was also unlucky with an arm injury that kept him out for a big part of the year. When we sold him to Atletico Mineiro for a decent fee, everybody was happy.
The fact is, though, that since moving to Atletico he seems to have finally reached the potential he's said to have since the start of his career at São Paulo FC. Last year he scored 42 goals in 57 appearences, being 19 of these goals in the Brazilian league, which made him joint top scorer with Adriano. This year he kept scoring: the Brazilian league just started but he scored many goals in the State Championship (Minas Gerais) where he helped Atletico to win the title. Their fans love him.
Because he 'failed' at Flamengo (some would say that's harsh on him), and wasnt the most impressive player before being sold to Atletico, I found it kinda weird when he was called for the Brazilian team last year. But the fact is he deserved it. He's been great for Atletico and I know many people who wanted him to be in the World Cup. I'm not one of these people, cause it's hard to forget the impression left at Flamengo, but 5 million isnt exactly a huge amount of money and he's really progressed since moving out - right now he is at least one of the 3 best strikers in Brazil.
Another thing that worries me about it is his style. He is a striker who likes to get out of the box to get the ball and help creating opportunities. I just asked an Atletico fan what he thought about Tardelli in England, and he agreed with me his style seems more suited to the Spanish league, for example. But who knows...
This Atletico fan also mentioned that he thinks the reason Tardelli has 'suddenly' become such a good player is commitment. He was always seen as a player of big potential, with ups and downs, but never adapted so well in a club like there, where he was also made Captain and matured a lot. If he could maintain the same commitment in another club, maybe he could go to be something special.
Well, as you can see, I'm not overly excited about this but it got me thinking.
Few videos now if anyone is interested...
2 weeks ago Atletico faced Santos (the team in best form in Brazil, with Ganso, Neymar and Robinho) and Tardelli scored a hat-trick against them. Santos went on to qualify to the semifinals anyway, but Tardelli did his job. Video with the goals from this game:
Atlético-MG 3X2 Santos Gols 28/04/2010 Diego Tardelli Copa do Brasil 2010This is a video with 15 of his league goals last year:
15 gols de Diego Tardelli artilheiro do Brasileirão 2009 - Narração Itatiaia*His best moment in a Flamengo shirt was that one, a goal near the 90th min that gave us a title:
Diego Tardelli - Flamengo 2x1 Botafogo - Gol do Título
