This Sunday (04.05), four stars from the red-black past returned to the Maracanã pitch. Before the kick-off for Flamengo vs. Palmeiras, in the third round of the Brasileirão, great names in Flamengo's history were honored in the month of their birthday. Experts in celebrating, the red-black fans sang happy birthday to Nunes (57), Gottardo (51), Jair Pereira (68) and Nei Dias (61).

The Top Scorer of Decisions celebrates his birthday on the 20th. One of the greatest idols in Flamengo's history, Nunes scored two goals in the 1981 World Cup final, in the 3-0 win over Liverpool, two in the 1980 Brasileirão final, in the 3-2 victory over Atlético-MG, and scored the winning goal in the 1982 Brazilian Championship, in the 1-0 victory over Grêmio, at the Olímpico stadium.

On the 23rd, it's the turn of the five-time Brazilian champion to celebrate another spring. Besides forming the defense that won the 1992 title, Wilson Gottardo also demonstrated his skill during the 1991 Campeonato Carioca victory.

Flamengo player from 1966 to 1968, Jair Pereira turns 68 on the 29th. A Flamengo striker during his playing days, Jair achieved his greatest glory on the sidelines: he was the coach who won the 1990 Copa do Brasil.

 

Flamengo's starting right-back, replacing an injured Lico in the 1981 Libertadores final and a suspended Tita in the Carioca final of the same year, Nei Dias had the honor of defending the Manto in both victories. In just eight months playing for Flamengo, the former player won six of the nine titles he played for.

 

In addition to the four, the great idol Adílio (58), the former star of the Brazilian national team Moacir (78) and the right winger Espanhol (73), one of the highlights in the conquest of the 1963 Carioca over Fluminense, the game with the largest audience in the history of Maracanã, also complete another year of life this May.

The honorees entered the field to receive an official jersey from president Eduardo Bandeira de Mello, at the center of the field. Each jersey was personalized with the number corresponding to the age each former athlete reached that year. This was another initiative honoring the month's birthdays, organized by the club's Historical Heritage department.