Eggs and omelet

HELIO PAULO FERRAZ

Published in the newspaper O Globo - December 7th

A close reading of some recent news reveals a certain disdain for the effort that enabled Flamengo's rise in the Brazilian Championship. It seems inappropriate to say that our team can't afford to be as expensive as São Paulo, the early champions of 2007. The difference in results between the two teams is explained by the fact that Flamengo only solidified its squad in the second half of the year. If the red-and-black lineup's work had been complete at the start of the competition, we would certainly be competing for the title with the defending champions.

As for a possible increase in debt, everyone knows that the absolute value of debt alone reveals little. What matters is its relationship to revenue. Take Flamengo's administration in the mid-90s, for example, when revenue also grew at a faster rate than debt.

Flamengo's football record is among the best in Brazil, with revenue also among the highest. In addition to record-breaking box office, the renewal of broadcast contracts for the Campeonato Carioca and the Campeonato Brasileiro signal a significant increase in revenue. It's also important to mention the normalization of Petrobras' sponsorship with "Time Mania."

Flamengo's improved performance on the field since the end of 2005 is undeniable: in nine matches, we won six and drew three. We then won the Copa do Brasil and reached the Copa Libertadores da América for the first time in many years, in addition to winning the Taça Guanabara, the 2007 Campeonato Carioca, and the strong result in the 2007 Campeonato Brasileiro, which once again takes us to the Libertadores. There is no growth without investment, and there is no investment without savings. Financial discipline is essential, but it cannot be used as an excuse for not having a team worthy of our size. You can't make an omelet without breaking an egg.

HELIO PAULO FERRAZ is a businessman and was president of Flamengo.