Last Friday (November 01.11st) was a sad day for the Red-Black Nation, as the great Liminha, Flamengo's midfielder from 1968 to 1975, passed away at the age of 69. With 513 games played, he is the eighth most-capped player in the club's history. Furthermore, he is one of the best examples that, by demonstrating grit and determination on the field, it is possible to be an idol of the Most Beloved even without being a great star.

Liminha was known as the "Piano Carrier" and the "Little Engine of Gávea." When he arrived at the club in 1968, he partnered Carlinhos "Violino" in midfield, but it was alongside fellow midfielder Zé Mário that he won his biggest titles: the 1972 and 1974 State Championships. His unforgettable goal was scored in the 1972 Guanabara Cup final, when Flamengo thrashed Fluminense 5-2.

Liminha was one of the biggest fan favorites when players like Zico, Junior, Adílio, Rondinelli, Cantarele, Jayme de Almeida, and others were just starting out. For this reason, he served as a role model for the Zico Generation, the most successful in the history of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo.

LIMINHA
Full name: João Crevelim
Date of Birth: June 15, 1944
Place of birth: Tietê (SP)
Position: Steering wheel
Period at Flamengo: 1968 to 1975
Games: 513
Goals: 29
Titles: Carioca Champion in 1972 and 1974, Guanabara Cup in 1970, 1972 and 1973, 3rd round of the 1974 Carioca Championship, International Summer Tournament in 1970 and 1972 and People's Tournament in 1972
Interesting fact: Eighth most-played player in Flamengo's history