The story of Flamengo: from a rowing club to a giant of Brazilian football
The Clube de Regatas do Flamengo was founded on November 17, 1895, in Rio de Janeiro. As its name suggests, it was initially a rowing club ( "regatas" meaning regatta). Guanabara Bay was then the scene of very popular regatta competitions, and Flamengo quickly distinguished itself there.
But it was at the beginning of the 20th century that football was imported from England . Very quickly, this ball sport became popular in Brazil. In 1911, after a split with Fluminense, several players decided to join Flamengo to found the club's football section.
The colors and identity of Flamengo
Flamengo adopted red and black , colors that have become iconic on their horizontally striped jerseys. Their nickname, Mengão, reflects the pride they take in wearing these colors in Rio and throughout Brazil. Beyond football, Flamengo is a social institution. The club is known for its fan groups, which are particularly numerous in Brazil. The Maracanã , Rio's legendary stadium, has become Flamengo's spiritual home, so much so that the red and black club also has its own modern training center, the Ninho do Urubu .
💡 A truly astonishing fact : during the 1950 World Cup final between Brazil and Uruguay, the Maracanã stadium hosted a record crowd. Officially, 173,850 spectators had purchased tickets, but it is estimated that in reality, more than 200,000 people crammed into the Flamengo stadium. It is one of the largest gatherings in the history of sport. That day, Brazil, despite being the favorite, lost 2-1 in absolute silence: this is the infamous "Maracanazo," a national tragedy etched in the collective memory.
Today, after several renovations and the installation of individual seats to meet modern safety standards, Flamengo's stadium can only accommodate around 78,000 spectators . A striking contrast that illustrates the shift from a popular and exuberant style of football to a more secure and regulated era.
The Golden Age of Flamengo: Zico and the Conquest of the World
The 1980s marked the golden age of Flamengo with Zico , a true legend of Brazilian football. The club won numerous titles, notably the Copa Libertadores in 1981 , which then allowed Mengão to compete in the Intercontinental Cup. In Tokyo, Flamengo thrashed Liverpool 3-0 and became Club World Champions .
Alongside Zico, players like Junior, Leandro, and Adílio defined this golden era of Flamengo. The team was renowned for its attacking and spectacular style, in keeping with the carioca spirit .
⚽ Zico's incredible stat at Flamengo : a true club idol, Zico played 579 matches in a Flamengo shirt, scoring a staggering 394 goals . This formidable efficiency makes him the top scorer in the history of the Mengão and one of the greatest Brazilian players of all time.
His exploits are reflected in an impressive collection of trophies with Flamengo:
► 6 Rio Championships (Campeonato Carioca)
► 4 Brazilian Championships (Brasileirão)
► 1 Copa Libertadores (1981)
► 1 Club World Cup (1981)
Zico was not just a goalscorer, he embodied the soul of Flamengo, capable of scoring from free kicks, creating brilliant plays and taking the club to the top of world football .
The difficult years and the rebirth of Flamengo
After its golden age, Flamengo experienced highs and lows in the 1990s and 2000s. The club remained competitive, regularly winning Carioca championships (Rio de Janeiro state competitions), but struggled to regain its continental prominence. Financial difficulties also affected the Mengão, despite its enormous popularity.
It was at the turn of the 2010s that the club rebuilt itself, thanks to more rigorous management and colossal revenues from its fan base. Flamengo once again attracted great players and established itself at the top of Brazilian football.
Flamengo's return to the top in 2019
2019 was a historic year: under the leadership of Jorge Jesus, Flamengo achieved an exceptional double, winning the Brasileirão and the Copa Libertadores . In the final in Lima, Mengão defeated River Plate thanks to two goals from Gabriel Barbosa ( Gabigol ) in the final minutes.
Since then, Flamengo has established itself as the most powerful Brazilian club, both economically and in terms of sporting achievements. It added another Libertadores Cup to its collection in 2022 , confirming its status as a South American giant. Its recent squad includes stars like Gabigol, Arrascaeta, and Filipe Luís.
From its humble beginnings as a regatta club to its current status as a giant of Brazilian and world football , Flamengo embodies the Brazilian passion for the beautiful game. Its colors, its jersey, its idols, and its immense popular fervor make it much more than just a club. The gold star above its logo symbolizes the conquest of the Intercontinental Cup in 1981 and serves as a reminder that Mengão has brought Brazilian football to the pinnacle of the world stage.
Today, Flamengo remains a model of sporting and popular power, proud of its history and looking towards new achievements.