Dias (pictured top) claimed six medals at the Paralympics in London, to add to the four he won in Beijing four years' ago.

He also won a remarkable 19 gold medals at the last two Parapan Games, and will be one of Brazil's main hopes for glory when it hosts the next Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Dias took the opportunity to visit nearby São Paulo to see Corinthians in action.

The club have also enjoyed a highly successful summer, winning the Copa Libertadores – South America's Champions League – for the first time in their history, beating previous champions and local rivals Santos on the way.

Dias visited the team in training after they beat São Paulo rivals Palmeiras earlier this week, along with his father, uncle and cousin.

"It's the first time I've come here," he said.

"I've been on stage, watched games, but never had the chance to meet the players here.

"Today I have this opportunity and maybe will even hit a ball with them.

"They were very attentive and showed that they knew me...they congratulated me and I was very proud."

The club presented Dias with a Corinthians shirt with the number six on the back in honour of his achievements.

Romarinho (right) poses with the six gold medals won by Daniel Dias (left) at London 2012

Dias had the chance to bond briefly with Brazilian star Romarinho, who scored a crucial goal against Boca Juniors of Argentina in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores final.

The 21-year-old signed Dias' shirt and joked that winning the Libertadores was more difficult than the six Paralympic golds.

It remains to be seen whether Dias will have the chance to watch his team when they go to Japan later this year for the Club World Cup, where they could face European champions Chelsea.

The swimming sensation, who has more Paralympic medals than any other Brazilian, insisted that he had his sights set on bettering his achievements at Rio 2016 after this summer's exploits.

"I will not say that this was my climax, because I want to be even better at Rio 2016," he said, before talking of the importance of hosting the Olympics and Paralympics for Brazil, as well as the FIFA World Cup it stages in 2014.

"As a fan, I hope that both the World Cup and in the Olympics and the Paralympics in Brazil can go down in history.

"We have to prove that there is investment in all sports and that we are a world power."

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