Walking into the sunset: Odisha FC’s prodigal son signs off
Many stories across the world are told through numbers and statistics. Others are etched in the hearts of people, like folklore. Diego Maurício’s journey with Odisha FC, however, will be remembered through both. Numbers don’t define him, but what does is that he came from across the globe and made the city his home. He became one of us.
In May 2025, as we bid farewell not just to a player, but to a legend and the all-time highest goalscorer for the club, Odisha is saying goodbye to its prodigal son.
The bond remains unbroken. The chants of ‘Dieeego, Dieeego’ may no longer ring out from the East Stand, but the echo will, forever, live in our hearts.
When he first arrived in the 2020–21 season, hopes were sky-high. Fans dreamed of goals, playoffs, and glory. That season, despite challenges, Diego sparked belief. He finished just three goals shy of the Golden Boot, ending with 12 goals and 2 assists.
But the story wasn’t over.
In 2022–23, he returned—not with promises, but with purpose. And how he delivered. Our first-ever Golden Boot winner. Our first-ever ISL playoff qualification. He led us, step by step, goal by goal, to milestones we’d only dreamt of. He ended the season with 19 goals and 7 assists, setting standards and breaking ceilings.
From that last-minute winner against Jamshedpur to the crucial brace against East Bengal that revived our playoff dreams, Diego didn’t just play matches—he created moments. He instilled belief. He made the fans dream. His boots carried not just the ball, but the hopes of the Kalinga.
Even when asked to drop deeper, to create rather than finish, he did so selflessly—for the team, for the badge. The goal wasn’t his only goal. It was bringing glory to the badge and the people who sang his name with unwavering passion.
In 2023–24, he was there when we made history, lifting the Super Cup. In the final against Bengaluru FC, he netted twice, leading us to our first major title. He scored five goals and provided two assists in the tournament, taking us to the continental stage through AFC qualification. That same season, he also registered 12 goals and 4 assists in the ISL.
The Kalinga Warriors competed across three tournaments in the 2024-25 season. Diego delivered yet again, with 17 goals and 4 assists across competitions. His clutch 90th-minute winners in the Super Cup knockout stages carried us to the final. In the AFC Cup, he added 3 goals and 3 assists across 8 games. In the ISL, he struck 10 times and assisted once. When the pressure was highest, he rose.
And even this past season in 2024-25, as competition stiffened, he remained the heartbeat of the team, scoring 9 goals, providing 6 assists, and gifting us moments that reminded everyone why he will forever be our No. 9.
Maurício didn’t just wear our colours, he gave them a meaning. Every run, every roar, every celebration at Kalinga was a testament to his fight, his heart, and his love for Odisha.
It hurts to say goodbye. But legends don’t leave. They live on—in chants from the stands, in the dreams of young Juggernauts, and in the very spirit of this club.
Obrigado, Diego. Thank you for the magic. Thank you for the memories. Thank you for the love. As the curtains come down on a memorable stint, the city will remember the joy you gave. The lad from Brazil, who would set the East Stand on fire with his enthralling finish, the lad who called the city home and celebrated before the East Stand like it was his family. The lad who would call Kalinga his first home.
You will always be one of us. You will always be the heart of Odisha FC. You will always be our Kalinga Warriors.
Achievements with Odisha FC:
Golden Boot - 2022–23
Super Cup Champion - 2023–24
Netted 60 Goals and provided 19 Assists in 111 Appearances
#OdishaFC
Walking into the sunset: Odisha FC’s prodigal son signs off
Many stories across the world are told through numbers and statistics. Others are etched in the hearts of people, like folklore. Diego Maurício’s journey with Odisha FC, however, will be remembered through both. Numbers don’t define him, but what does is that he came from across the globe and made the city his home. He became one of us.
In May 2025, as we bid farewell not just to a player, but to a legend and the all-time highest goalscorer for the club, Odisha is saying goodbye to its prodigal son.
The bond remains unbroken. The chants of ‘Dieeego, Dieeego’ may no longer ring out from the East Stand, but the echo will, forever, live in our hearts.
When he first arrived in the 2020–21 season, hopes were sky-high. Fans dreamed of goals, playoffs, and glory. That season, despite challenges, Diego sparked belief. He finished just three goals shy of the Golden Boot, ending with 12 goals and 2 assists.
But the story wasn’t over.
In 2022–23, he returned—not with promises, but with purpose. And how he delivered. Our first-ever Golden Boot winner. Our first-ever ISL playoff qualification. He led us, step by step, goal by goal, to milestones we’d only dreamt of. He ended the season with 19 goals and 7 assists, setting standards and breaking ceilings.
From that last-minute winner against Jamshedpur to the crucial brace against East Bengal that revived our playoff dreams, Diego didn’t just play matches—he created moments. He instilled belief. He made the fans dream. His boots carried not just the ball, but the hopes of the Kalinga.
Even when asked to drop deeper, to create rather than finish, he did so selflessly—for the team, for the badge. The goal wasn’t his only goal. It was bringing glory to the badge and the people who sang his name with unwavering passion.
In 2023–24, he was there when we made history, lifting the Super Cup. In the final against Bengaluru FC, he netted twice, leading us to our first major title. He scored five goals and provided two assists in the tournament, taking us to the continental stage through AFC qualification. That same season, he also registered 12 goals and 4 assists in the ISL.
The Kalinga Warriors competed across three tournaments in the 2024-25 season. Diego delivered yet again, with 17 goals and 4 assists across competitions. His clutch 90th-minute winners in the Super Cup knockout stages carried us to the final. In the AFC Cup, he added 3 goals and 3 assists across 8 games. In the ISL, he struck 10 times and assisted once. When the pressure was highest, he rose.
And even this past season in 2024-25, as competition stiffened, he remained the heartbeat of the team, scoring 9 goals, providing 6 assists, and gifting us moments that reminded everyone why he will forever be our No. 9.
Maurício didn’t just wear our colours, he gave them a meaning. Every run, every roar, every celebration at Kalinga was a testament to his fight, his heart, and his love for Odisha.
It hurts to say goodbye. But legends don’t leave. They live on—in chants from the stands, in the dreams of young Juggernauts, and in the very spirit of this club.
Obrigado, Diego. Thank you for the magic. Thank you for the memories. Thank you for the love. As the curtains come down on a memorable stint, the city will remember the joy you gave. The lad from Brazil, who would set the East Stand on fire with his enthralling finish, the lad who called the city home and celebrated before the East Stand like it was his family. The lad who would call Kalinga his first home.
You will always be one of us. You will always be the heart of Odisha FC. You will always be our Kalinga Warriors.
Achievements with Odisha FC:
Golden Boot - 2022–23
Super Cup Champion - 2023–24
Netted 60 Goals and provided 19 Assists in 111 Appearances
#OdishaFC
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