80 years ago, the genius Evaristo de Macedo was born
Flamengo's first-choice Flamengo champion, Evaristo was a star player, wore the number 10 shirt and was one of the main names in Flamengo's first three-time Rio de Janeiro championship at the Maracanã.
By Communication - Official Club Website - in
June 22, 1933: the day one of the greatest geniuses in the history of soccer was born. Named after his father, Evaristo de Macedo became a Flamengo fan as a child, already attending the Mais Querido's games with his uncle. Time passed, he swapped the stands for the pitch, and the Manto Sagrado became his work uniform. At Gávea, he became a star and made history. This Saturday (June 22.06), the day he turns 80, he celebrates his birthday without forgetting one of the greatest gifts life has given him: having played for his favorite team.
"Thanks to Flamengo, I had my big opportunity in the world of football. I'm very grateful for that. The years I spent at Flamengo as a player and coach gave me a very strong connection with the club and a constant concern for everything that happens within it. As a Flamengo fan, I follow Flamengo closely and, as a result, I experience both joys and sorrows," said Evaristo de Macedo.
Evaristo de Macedo played for Madureira until he was 19. Afterward, he chose to join Flamengo, as Vasco and Fluminense also wanted him. The choice he made with a sincere heart was the right one. Wearing the Manto Sagrado, he was one of the protagonists of the Mais Querido's first three-time Rio de Janeiro state championship at the Maracanã stadium. He was involved in all three titles (1953, 54, and 55) and considers this achievement his greatest moment in the sacred mantle.
"The best moment was when we were three-time champions. Everyone dreamed of winning three consecutive state championships. It was wonderful, sensational, an extraordinary celebration. Every time I see Flamengo play, I remember that moment. It was so much joy, and it was the most important thing I did at the club," says the birthday boy.
In 1957, Evaristo de Macedo was sold to Barcelona. In Spain, he also played for Real Madrid and was a legend for both rivals. He returned to Flamengo in 1964 and played at Gávea until 1966, when he decided to retire at age 33 due to intense knee pain. Within the Red-Blacks, Evaristo had brilliant teammates, such as Zagallo, Esquerdinha, Joel, and Dida. But it was two other Flamengo players who impressed him the most.
"I played for some very good teams at Flamengo. We were three-time champions and had some great competitions. They were all great players, but without a doubt, two really left their mark on me. One of them was Rubens, who was extraordinary. The other was Dequinha, a midfielder who was also on the Brazilian national team. Both were incredibly important," said Evaristo.
Evaristo de Macedo was also a successful coach and managed Flamengo three times. While still a player, he also wore the yellow jersey for the Brazilian national team. And it's no wonder. Those who saw Evaristo play will never forget his genius, describing him as a versatile, intelligent, and technically refined goal scorer. A playmaker with the characteristics of a natural striker. He was born with the gift of playing soccer, and today, he earns the congratulations of the Red-Black Nation.
Interesting facts about Evaristo's time at Flamengo:
1 - In the 1955 State Championship, Evaristo scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over América in the first game of the finals that decided CRF's second three-time championship
2 - The biggest win in the history of Maracanã was Flamengo 12 x 2 São Cristóvão, in 1956, in the State Championship. Evaristo, with five goals, was the top scorer of the match. The other red-black goals were scored by Índio (4), Joel, Paulinho and Luís Roberto
3 – Evaristo scored 103 goals in 182 games with the Sacred Mantle
4 - Evaristo had three spells as Flamengo's coach: 1993 - 1998/99 - 2002/03
"Thanks to Flamengo, I had my big opportunity in the world of football. I'm very grateful for that. The years I spent at Flamengo as a player and coach gave me a very strong connection with the club and a constant concern for everything that happens within it. As a Flamengo fan, I follow Flamengo closely and, as a result, I experience both joys and sorrows," said Evaristo de Macedo.
Evaristo de Macedo played for Madureira until he was 19. Afterward, he chose to join Flamengo, as Vasco and Fluminense also wanted him. The choice he made with a sincere heart was the right one. Wearing the Manto Sagrado, he was one of the protagonists of the Mais Querido's first three-time Rio de Janeiro state championship at the Maracanã stadium. He was involved in all three titles (1953, 54, and 55) and considers this achievement his greatest moment in the sacred mantle.
"The best moment was when we were three-time champions. Everyone dreamed of winning three consecutive state championships. It was wonderful, sensational, an extraordinary celebration. Every time I see Flamengo play, I remember that moment. It was so much joy, and it was the most important thing I did at the club," says the birthday boy.
In 1957, Evaristo de Macedo was sold to Barcelona. In Spain, he also played for Real Madrid and was a legend for both rivals. He returned to Flamengo in 1964 and played at Gávea until 1966, when he decided to retire at age 33 due to intense knee pain. Within the Red-Blacks, Evaristo had brilliant teammates, such as Zagallo, Esquerdinha, Joel, and Dida. But it was two other Flamengo players who impressed him the most.
"I played for some very good teams at Flamengo. We were three-time champions and had some great competitions. They were all great players, but without a doubt, two really left their mark on me. One of them was Rubens, who was extraordinary. The other was Dequinha, a midfielder who was also on the Brazilian national team. Both were incredibly important," said Evaristo.
Evaristo de Macedo was also a successful coach and managed Flamengo three times. While still a player, he also wore the yellow jersey for the Brazilian national team. And it's no wonder. Those who saw Evaristo play will never forget his genius, describing him as a versatile, intelligent, and technically refined goal scorer. A playmaker with the characteristics of a natural striker. He was born with the gift of playing soccer, and today, he earns the congratulations of the Red-Black Nation.
Interesting facts about Evaristo's time at Flamengo:
1 - In the 1955 State Championship, Evaristo scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over América in the first game of the finals that decided CRF's second three-time championship
2 - The biggest win in the history of Maracanã was Flamengo 12 x 2 São Cristóvão, in 1956, in the State Championship. Evaristo, with five goals, was the top scorer of the match. The other red-black goals were scored by Índio (4), Joel, Paulinho and Luís Roberto
3 – Evaristo scored 103 goals in 182 games with the Sacred Mantle
4 - Evaristo had three spells as Flamengo's coach: 1993 - 1998/99 - 2002/03