Twenty-two years ago, on July 22, 19, Flamengo was crowned Brazilian champion for the fifth time. Initially considered a favorite, the team became highly questionable during the competition after a series of injuries. That squad, which balanced both established names and prospects, surprised and captivated fans and the press with a distinctive style of football, paced by Maestro Junior.

Returning from his time in Italy, the former left-back from the 1981 World Cup title took on a new position. As a midfielder, Junior gained more freedom to move around the field, take free kicks, and play captain. "I have a special affection for that team, for that campaign. I was 38 years old, already thinking about retiring, and things just kept happening. I returned to the club, and later to the national team, as the last remaining member of that golden generation of the 1980s, and it was excellent. Those players and the coaching staff gave me an extraordinary boost that culminated in winning the title," said Grandpa Boy.

After nineteen matches, eight teams qualified for two quadrangulars, from which two finalists would emerge. At that moment, many doubted the red-and-black team. Qualified after a late surge in the competition, Flamengo reached the second round almost as an underdog. Having coached Goiânia for four years, Julio César, known as the Emperor, was a midfielder on the five-time champion team and attributes the victory to the group's unity. "It's very difficult to bring together such talented players, a mix of experience and youth. We were going through a difficult period, everyone doubted us, but we managed to turn things around. I remember we had a meeting after a defeat where everything was laid out on the table. Junior demanded commitment; that we take things more seriously. A necessary slap on the wrist. From then on, the group came together. We further strengthened the team's unity and became champions," said Julio César, a key player in that title. 

Maestro Junior, Mais Querido's top scorer in the campaign with nine goals, recalled another factor that has always been fundamental to Flamengo's successes: the strength of the Nação Rubro-Negra (Red-Black Nation). "We reached the finals with an average attendance of 50 fans per match. Everything fell into place at the most crucial moment of the competition, precisely when we nailed our attacking performance, with the introduction of Júlio César, Gaúcho, and Nélio. Even with other teams performing better than us, we managed to overcome every difficult situation that arose, and that was the case in the final when we faced that Botafogo team," said Junior.

In the big decision against Botafogo, 145.203 people witnessed Flamengo's fifth Brazilian championship title, in the stands of Maracanã.