Flamengo
Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, more commonly referred to as simply Flamengo, is a Brazilian multi-sports club founded in 1895 and based in Rio de Janeiro. The club plays its home matches at the iconic Maracanã Stadium and currently competes in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Brazil's top division. Flamengo is one of only two clubs never to have been relegated from the top flight and boasts the largest fanbase in Brazil with over 46.9 million supporters. Among their most notable achievements are three Copa Libertadores titles (1981, 2019, 2022), one FIFA Club World Cup runner-up finish (2019), eight Campeonato Brasileiro titles, and four Copa do Brasil victories, establishing them as the most successful Brazilian club of the 21st century.
History
Overview
General information about the club
Flamengo was originally established in 1895 as a rowing club in the Flamengo neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro and did not play its first official football match until 1912. The club's traditional uniform features red and black striped shirts with white shorts and red and black striped socks. Since 1969, the vulture (urubu in Portuguese) has served as the club's mascot. Flamengo is Brazil's richest and most valuable football club with an annual revenue of R$1.2 billion and a valuation of over R$3.8 billion. The club's training center, officially known as "Ninho do Urubu" (Vulture's Nest), is located in Vargem Grande, Rio de Janeiro, and houses one of the most prolific youth academies in Brazil and the world.
Most recent season and achievements
In recent years, Flamengo has experienced unprecedented success. The 2019 season marked the most successful in the club's footballing history, winning the Copa Libertadores, Campeonato Brasileiro, and Campeonato Carioca in the same year. Under Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus, the team broke numerous records including most points (90), most wins (28), and most goals scored (86) in the Campeonato Brasileiro's modern era. Following this success, the club won consecutive Campeonato Brasileiro titles in 2020 under Rogério Ceni and claimed their fourth Copa do Brasil in 2022, followed by their third Copa Libertadores title the same year under Dorival Júnior.
History
Early years
Flamengo was founded on 17 November 1895 by a group of rowers gathered at club member Nestor de Barros's manor on Flamengo Beach. The founders initially established the Grupo de Regatas do Flamengo (Flamengo Rowing Group) and later changed the name to Clube de Regatas do Flamengo. The club's football department was only established in 1911 when ten dissatisfied players from Fluminense joined Flamengo following a board dispute. The new football department was officially established on 24 December 1911, and the team played their first official match on 3 May 1912, defeating Mangueira 16-2.
Successful period
The club's golden era began in the 1970s with the emergence of Zico, who became the club's greatest idol. From 1978 to 1983, Flamengo achieved unprecedented success, winning three consecutive Campeonato Carioca titles and their first Campeonato Brasileiro in 1980. The pinnacle came in 1981 when the team won the Copa Libertadores, defeating Chilean club Cobreloa in the final, with Zico scoring twice in the decisive third match. Later that year, Flamengo became world champions by defeating Liverpool 3-0 in the Intercontinental Cup in Tokyo, with goals from Nunes (2) and Adílio. The team continued their dominance with back-to-back Brazilian Championships in 1982 and 1983.
Crisis and recovery
After the golden era, Flamengo entered a period of financial difficulties and inconsistent performances from the 1990s through the 2000s. Despite signing star players like Romário in 1995 and Ronaldinho in 2011, the club struggled to maintain consistency and narrowly avoided relegation in 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005. The club's fortunes began to improve in 2006 when they won the Copa do Brasil, defeating rivals Vasco da Gama in the final. From 2007 to 2009, Flamengo completed their fifth tricampeonato in the Campeonato Carioca and won the 2009 Campeonato Brasileiro, ending a 17-year drought for the national title.
Current period
The current era of success began in 2019 under the presidency of Rodolfo Landim and the management of Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus. The club made significant investments in players like Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Bruno Henrique, and Gabriel Barbosa, leading to the most successful season in club history. Following Jorge Jesus's departure in 2020, the club continued to achieve success under various managers, winning consecutive league titles and adding more Copa Libertadores and Copa do Brasil trophies. The club has also invested heavily in infrastructure, including plans for a new 80,000-capacity stadium at the Gasômetro area, scheduled for completion by November 2029.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
Flamengo has achieved remarkable success in Brazilian domestic competitions. The club has won the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A eight times (1980, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1992, 2009, 2019, 2020), making them one of the most successful teams in the competition's history. In the Copa do Brasil, Flamengo has claimed four titles (1990, 2006, 2013, 2022). At the state level, the club dominates the Campeonato Carioca with 39 titles, holding the record for most state championships. They have also won the Supercopa do Brasil twice (2020, 2021) and the Copa dos Campeões once (2001). Additionally, Flamengo has secured numerous other domestic honors including the Taça Guanabara (25 times) and Taça Rio (9 times).
Continental and global competitions
On the international stage, Flamengo has established itself as one of South America's most successful clubs. The team has won the Copa Libertadores three times (1981, 2019, 2022), with their 1981 victory leading to their greatest triumph - the Intercontinental Cup title that same year, defeating Liverpool 3-0 to become world champions. The club has also won the Copa de Oro (1996), Copa Mercosur (1999), Supercopa do Brasil (2020, 2021), and Recopa Sudamericana (2020). In 2019, Flamengo reached the FIFA Club World Cup final, finishing as runners-up to Liverpool. They have also been runners-up in the Copa Libertadores (2021), Copa Sudamericana (2017), and Supercopa Libertadores (1993, 1995).
Symbols and Colors
Current logo and logo history
Flamengo's crest has evolved throughout the club's history, with most changes involving modifications to the interlocked letters monogram. The latest redesign was unveiled in 2018. The club uses three different crests depending on the situation: the full crest serves as the official logo, the rowing crest is used for rowing-related uniforms and equipment, and the white "CRF" monogram is typically worn on the primary football uniform. Beginning in 1980, Flamengo wore three white stars aligned vertically along their monogram to indicate their three state league tri-championships. Since 2005, the club uses only a gold star above the "CRF" monogram on their shirts to commemorate their international achievements.
Traditional home and away kits colors
The club's original colors were blue and gold, symbolizing the sky of Rio de Janeiro and the riches of Brazil. However, after failing to win any regattas in their first year, the colors were considered bad luck and expensive to import. One year after the club's establishment, the official colors were changed to the current red and black. The traditional football uniform consists of red and black striped shirts, white shorts, and red and black striped socks, which was established in 1916. In 1938, manager Dori Kürschner suggested creating a secondary white uniform to improve visibility in night matches, making Flamengo a pioneer of alternative uniforms in Brazil.
Traditional club anthem
Flamengo has two anthems: the official "Hymno Rubro-Negro" (Scarlet-Black Anthem), created in 1920 with lyrics and music by Paulo Magalhães, and the popular anthem with lyrics and music by Lamartine Babo, recorded for the first time by Gilberto Alves in 1945. The popular anthem is better known and includes the famous refrain "Uma vez Flamengo, sempre Flamengo" (Once you are Flamengo, always Flamengo), which originated from a contest organized by club president José Bastos Padilha in the 1930s where students created phrases describing Flamengo.
Traditional Rivals
Fluminense
The Fla-Flu or Clássico das Multidões (Derby of the Crowds) is the traditional Brazilian derby between Flamengo and Fluminense, considered by experts as one of the greatest classics in the world. The rivalry began in October 1911 when dissatisfied Fluminense players left to join Flamengo's newly formed football department. The first Fla-Flu was played on July 7, 1912, with Fluminense winning 3-2. The rivalry holds the world record for club match attendance, with 194,603 spectators present at the Maracanã in the 1963 Campeonato Carioca final. The derby represents a social divide, with Flamengo traditionally supported by the working class nationwide, while Fluminense became associated with Rio's wealthy elite.
Vasco da Gama
The Clássico dos Milhões (Derby of Millions) between Flamengo and Vasco da Gama is considered one of the biggest rivalries in Brazilian and world football. The derby's name originated in the 1920s, referring to the two largest fanbases in Rio de Janeiro. From 1972 to 2001, this became Flamengo's most important rivalry, elevated by the iconic confrontations between club legends Zico of Flamengo and Roberto Dinamite of Vasco. Many great Brazilian players have represented both clubs, including Bebeto, Romário, Edmundo, and Dejan Petković, often with controversial transfers between the rivals.
Botafogo
The Clássico da Rivaldade (Rivalry Classic) between Flamengo and Botafogo gained prominence in the 1960s. The rivalry has historical significance as Flamengo's vulture mascot originated during a match against Botafogo on June 1, 1969, when Flamengo supporters released a vulture onto the field in response to racist chants. Zico is Flamengo's top scorer in this derby, while Heleno de Freitas holds the record for Botafogo. The first confrontation between these Rio rivals occurred in 1913.
Atlético Mineiro
Flamengo has developed an intense inter-state rivalry with Atlético Mineiro of Minas Gerais, which emerged in the 1980s from numerous controversial encounters in the Campeonato Brasileiro and Copa Libertadores. This rivalry maintained its intensity through the following decades and is considered one of the biggest interstate rivalries in Brazilian football, with both clubs frequently competing for major titles.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Sponsors
Flamengo has had various sponsorship deals throughout its history. In 1999, the club signed a massive contract with sports marketing company ISL under president Edmundo dos Santos Silva, though ISL went bankrupt in 2002. The club has worked with major kit suppliers including Nike (from 2000) and Olympikus, with various shirt sponsors over the years. Currently, the club maintains significant commercial partnerships that contribute to its status as Brazil's richest football club.
Nicknames
Flamengo is known by several nicknames, most notably "O mais querido do Brasil" (The most beloved of Brazil), which originated from a 1927 newspaper contest where Flamengo was voted the most beloved club in the country. The club is also called "Mengão" affectionately by fans, and supporters are collectively known as "Nação Rubro-Negra" (Scarlet-Black Nation). The vulture (urubu) became associated with the club in 1969, initially as a racist taunt from opponents that was later embraced by fans.
Ownership and finances
Flamengo operates as a member-owned club with an elected president serving three-year terms. The club has successfully managed its finances in recent years, reducing debt from R$750 million in 2012 to R$495 million by 2015 under president Eduardo Bandeira de Mello. Current president Rodolfo Landim, elected in 2018, has overseen significant investments in players and infrastructure. The club is valued at over R$3.8 billion with annual revenue of R$1.2 billion, making it Brazil's most valuable football club.
Traditions and culture
The club's supporters have rich traditions, including the Charanga Rubro-Negra, founded in 1942 as Brazil's first organized supporters group. Flamengo fans sing in memory of the ten academy players who died in the 2019 training center fire, known as the "Garotos do Ninho," during the tenth minute of home games. The club's popularity grew significantly during World War II when radio broadcasts reached northern Brazil, and Flamengo's success with stars like Zizinho attracted nationwide support.
Stadium
Flamengo primarily plays at the iconic Maracanã Stadium, which has served as their home since its completion in 1950. The stadium, officially managed by Odebrecht since 2013, has undergone several renovations, with current capacity around 78,000. Flamengo also owns the Estádio da Gávea (officially Estádio José Bastos Padilha), inaugurated in 1938 with 4,000 capacity, which now serves as the club's administrative headquarters and training ground. The club has ambitious plans for a new 80,000-capacity stadium at the Gasômetro area, estimated to cost €500 million and scheduled for completion by November 2029.
Flamengo
Club Information
Official Name
Flamengo
Short Name
FLA
Founding Year
1895
Tactical Formation
4-3-3
Stadium Information
Stadium Name
Estadio Jornalista Mário Filho
Capacity
78.639
Address
Rua Professor Eurico Rabelo, Maracanã
City
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Surface
grass
Key Personnel
Captain
Gerson Santos da Silva
Captain's Stats
175cm, 66kg
Head Coach
Adenor Leonardo Bacchi
Head Coach Age
65 Age
Coach Nationality
BR
Recent Honours
| Season | Competition | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | VĐQG Brazil | 🏆 1 |
| 2025 | Supercopa do Brasil | 🏆 1 |
| 2024 | Copa do Brasil | 🏆 1 |
| 2024 | Carioca Serie A Brasil | 🏆 1 |
Current Season Stats
| Competition | Rank | Matches | W-D-L | Points |
|---|
Goal Statistics
Serie A (BRA)
31 Scored - 16 Conceded
Copa Libertadores (SA)
11 Scored - 2 Conceded
Carioca Serie A
11 Scored - 9 Conceded
Serie A (BRA)
78 Scored - 27 Conceded
Copa Libertadores (SA)
6 Scored - 3 Conceded