Fabiana Alvim de Oliveira, known as Fabi, is undoubtedly one of Flamengo's greatest prides. The Brazilian national volleyball team's libero won her second Olympic gold medal at the London Games, her first coming in Beijing 2008. The athlete, who began her career at Gávea at the age of 12, calls herself a die-hard Flamengo fan. Fabi returned to Brazil after her Olympic triumph, visited the club's headquarters, and recalled moments that marked her path to professional success.

"Winning the gold was incredible. Not even in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that I would become a two-time Olympic champion. I'm very happy for this moment, a great moment for volleyball. And being able to return to the club is always a moment of great nostalgia. Reuniting with the people, the people who saw me when I was little. And today I see that the same people are here, since I arrived in 1992. People recognize, not only Fabi the player, but the Fabi who started here, who sometimes didn't have enough money for the bus ticket," recalls the athlete.

Fabi says she took an amulet with her to London for inspiration. She confesses to being a die-hard fan of Brazil's Most Beloved and can't forget the club's red and black, even during its most important moments, like the Olympics. 

"Unfortunately, I couldn't play with a Flamengo jersey in London (laughs), but I can say it was in my suitcase. I'm not a healthy fan. When I lose, I suffer, and when I win, I'm euphoric. Flamengo has a very strong passion. If you're a Flamengo fan, you're a Flamengo fan. And this passion started way back, with my parents, and I want to carry it forward. It's a love that conquers you. You can win, draw, or lose. I'll always support. I love volleyball, but I think I understand a little about soccer (laughs)," comments the champion, emphasizing her unconditional love for soccer.

A friend and fan of Léo Moura and an admirer of Vagner Love, Fabiana says she never misses a Mengão game.

"I wear the Flamengo jersey to competitions and follow the games online. I'm friends with Leo Moura, who, in my opinion, is one of the guys who most honors this jersey, along with Vagner Love. I think it's cool that they embrace being Flamengo fans, especially within such a professionalized sport as soccer," she says.

And if it depends on Fabi's positive energy and the good vibes of a true champion, the red-and-black team will have an extra strength in the classic against Vasco, on Sunday (19.08), at Engenhão. The gold medal libero has already confirmed her presence in the match, valid for the Brazilian Championship.

"I'm going to the game on Sunday. I have to go. I have a history of Flamengo winning, every time I go to the stadium, it's very positive. There are few times I've been to the stadium and Flamengo lost. I hope I can maintain this reputation of being lucky," concludes the athlete, who was praised by fans and supporters while talking to the Flamengo's Official Website, at the club headquarters.

Fabiana is currently an athlete on the Unilever Vôlei team.