For most of his weekdays, Carlinhos goes to Gávea to play cards. This is the former Flamengo player and coach's main pastime. But he still follows soccer, albeit from afar. So much so that he admitted, this Thursday, that he celebrated the 2009 Brazilian Championship.

"It was a well-deserved title and a beautiful thing to see. Flamengo was rewarded for its competence. It's impossible to say this victory wasn't fair. Flamengo deserved it," said Carlinhos, who coached Andrade in the 80s.

That's why he was also thrilled with his former manager's first victory as coach and approved his continued stay at Gávea until 2010.

"Andrade deserved to be champion, because he did a good job as coach. And it was good that they renewed because he already knows the club, he knows how things work at Flamengo... It was a good combination. It was great for Flamengo and for everyone," said Carlinhos.

Without commenting on what kind of signings need to be made, Violino is confident of a successful 2010. He believes Flamengo has everything it needs to be as successful as in 2009.

"I have faith that with this team, Flamengo will win the Libertadores and the fourth State Championship title, which they've never achieved. I believe they can achieve anything. I'll be here watching and cheering," he said.

As a player, Carlinhos made 517 appearances for Flamengo, scoring 23 goals and winning the Rio-São Paulo championship in 1961 and the Cariocas in 1963 and 1965. As a coach, he won the Brazilian championships in 1987 and 1992, the Mercosul championship in 1999 and the Cariocas in 1991, 1999 and 2000.

Currently, he enjoys his 72 years playing cards every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in Gávea. And conversing with his usual lucidity.

"I always come here to play my pif paf, which is a kind of "buraco." But I don't bet anything. The idea is to distract myself," said Carlinhos.

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