The Charanga Rubro-Negra, Flamengo's first organized fan group, completes its 11.10rd year of existence this Sunday (73). On the afternoon of last Wednesday (07.10), at the Gávea headquarters, Rede Record de Televisão promoted a tribute to members of the fan group, which was aired this Saturday (10.10), on the Esporte Fantástico program.

With the presence of musicians who are part of the band Charanga and red-and-black samba names who are part of ConFLAria, such as Arlindo Neto and Alex Ribeiro, and the presence of Mais Querido idols, such as Adílio, Júlio César Uri Geller and Djalminha, the celebration was filled with emotion.

The pioneer in the stands innovated in 1942, when it was founded by the late Jaime Rodrigues de Carvalho and Antônio Soares, "Cunhado", who is 89 years old. Currently, the organized group is led by Seu Gigi, president of the fan club.

"I've been at the helm of Charanga for 30 years and I'm just continuing what already existed. Our pleasure is seeing goals. We are Flamengo in joy and in sadness, winning or losing," declared Seu Gigi, moved by the tribute.

Flamengo fan Vinicius de Souza, who has been part of the organized group for a year and helps keep the fans' flame alive, says he dreams of creating projects with children to help their love for Flamengo grow.

"The idea is to always renew. Our dream is to have a music school for children, so that we don't let the Charanga 'die.' We need to continue what Jaime started. Even though he's not with us, I'm sure he's happy to see that we're moving forward despite the difficulties," he said.

The Charanga Rubro-Negra (Red-Black Charanga) emerged unexpectedly in October 1942, when fans of the "Mais Querido" (Flamengo's Favorite) formed a band, and the famous announcer and Flamengo fan Ary Barroso commented on his show that the band was a Charanga (Red-Black Charanga) because the group's sound quality was questionable. The nickname stuck, and the first organized Flamengo fan group was born.