Diego Tardelli Martins (born 10 May 1985), known as simply Diego Tardelli, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Grêmio. He is a dynamic player who can change the balance of a game with his speed on attack and individual skills. Tardelli, however, is not his last name, but his second name; it was made by his father after to his footballing idol, Italian World Cup winner Marco Tardelli.
Born in Santa Bárbara d'Oeste, São Paulo, Tardelli was a product of São Paulo's youth system. He had abroad loan stints with La Liga's Real Betis (in the latter part of 2005–06) and Eredivisie club PSV in 2006–07. In starting of his career, Tardelli was known as Dinei, a former forward of Corinthians, because Tardelli also painted his hair of a blond color.
Tardelli joined Flamengo in January 2008, and scored the winning goal in the Taça Guanabara final against Botafogo. Once again, in the final of Rio de Janeiro State League 2008 against Botafogo, he entered in the second half and he changed the game. He scored a goal and made an assist to Obina.