Four years after Flamengo’s victory over Al Ahly, the two teams meet again this Tuesday, February 7 (8 p.m.), at the Grand Stade de Tanger, for the second time in the Club World Cup. THE David Luiz, Gabigol and Arturo Vidal have the firm intention of adding additional lines to an already very rich track record.
“In recent years, we have won every title possible and imaginable. That’s why we came here with great ambitions“, announces the ex-defender of Chelsea and PSG, in an interview with FIFA.
Like an encephalogram, the history of the carioca club is punctuated with ups and downs. In 2022, Flamengo won their second Copa Libertadores in four years, and third overall. A raid following a tragedy that shook Brazil and the whole world.
Highs and lows
In February 2019, ten people, mostly teenagers, lost their lives in the fire that ravaged accommodation in the Flamengo training center. This tragedy will forever be engraved in the history books of the most popular football club in Brazil. But he has since recovered…
Just like its predecessors. The idea of creating the Flamengo club germinated in the mind of a group of friends from the Flamengo district, rowing enthusiast, the most popular sport in Rio de Janeiro at the end of the 19th century. This is how they buy a second-hand boat, in the hope of taking part in their first regatta.
Nicknamed “Pherusa”, in homage to a creature from Greek mythology, the boat capsizes at the first whims of the Atlantic Ocean. Rescued just in time, its occupants have a sense of perseverance. A new boat was purchased and the “Groupo de Regatas do Flamengo” was officially created on November 17, 1895. The Omnisports institution (rowing, swimming, basketball, etc.) only opened its football section in the early 1910s. On November 15, coinciding with Republic Day, Brazil’s national holiday.
Successes in spades
Beyond the myth that accompanies its stadium, the Maracana, or the excitement at Fla-Flu, one of the most famous derbies in the world, between Fluminense and Flamengo, the latter was ranked in 2000 at the 9th place in the ranking of the greatest clubs of the 20th century by readers of FIFA Magazinefor his popularity but also as a reward for his repeated successes.
Since its creation, Flamengo has been seven times champion of Brazil and thirty-six times champion of Rio, a record in the matter. Successes acquired in particular between 1934 and 1955, when a professionalization of the club, with confirmation of this status, was carried out. However, this hegemony was thwarted towards the end of the 1950s by the domination of Botafogo of the legendary Garrincha.
A few years later, the world champion signed with Flamengo. The leaders see in this inveterate dribbler a guarantee of success. But alcoholic and depressed, Garrincha will only score 4 goals in 15 games. It took until the 1970s for the club to find an icon worthy of the name, in the person of Zico.
Zico, the golden age
Much more than Ronaldinho, Romario, Bebeto or Vinicius Jr, during these four years spent under the colors Red and Black, Zico marked the history of Flamengo. By registering on average 44 goals per yearthe club’s all-time top scorer, was instrumental in the Brazilians’ qualification for the Intercontinental Cup.
In Tokyo, Flamengo won with a score of three goals to nil thanks to Nunes and Adílio. The institution becomes the second in Brazil to win the competition, after Pelé’s Santos FC, in the 1960s. A victory thus giving the club a notoriety that crosses the oceans.
After a second freelance in his club of hearts, Zico leaves for good. His departure coincides with the return of lean years on the side of Flamengo. To dust off the trophy cabinet, the Swiss marketing company ISL took control of it in 1999.
The bankruptcy of ISL in 2002 plunged the club into an unprecedented financial and sporting crisis. A blessing in disguise, since it was decided to bet mainly on players from its training center. A sports policy that has somewhat taken a back seat in recent years, given the renowned players who have put down their suitcases in Rio.
A workforce estimated at 160 million euros
Evaluated close to 160 million euros by TransfertMarkt, the human resources available to Vitor Pereira, the Flamengo coach, are of an incredible qualitative density. Admittedly, these are players at the end of their career (David Luiz, Arthuro Vidal, Filipe Luís), or whose European adventure ended in failure (Everton, Gabriel Barbosa, Thiago Maia, Gerson), but the Portuguese technician managed to get the best out of it.
Most often playing with a reinforced midfield (4-4-2 or 4-3-1-2), Flamengo is a playful and intense team in its offensive animation, in the service of effective center-forwards, like Pedro. The style of play deployed has the main assets of technical mastery in the midfield and the virtuosity of the wingers. On the other hand, the slowness of the defensive hinge remains disabling.
