The youngest Flamengo fan, aged between 15 and 20, for example, can't recall seeing a year as perfect for Flamengo as 2009. Perhaps because, this season, after 17 years, Flamengo finally won the Brazilian Championship title again. Furthermore, for the first time in history, Flamengo won the national title and the Campeonato Carioca in the same season.

\

The state title, in addition, gave the red-and-black club its fifth state championship and was Flamengo's 31st victory in the competition, earning it the title of "King of Rio," the most successful in the history of Rio de Janeiro football. The thrilling Brasileirão proved that a Rio de Janeiro club can indeed win a title based on points and that Clube de Regatas do Flamengo is on the right track to return to the top of national, South American, and world football.

\

But until the steak and fries on December 6th, the team, which began the year under Cuca and ended under Andrade, had to eat a lot of tough meat, and even choked on a few occasions throughout the year. It all started on January 7th, at the squad's preseason presentation, held at Granja Comary, and only ended almost exactly eleven months later. And 2009 began with the fans pressuring Flamengo for being out of the Copa Libertadores da América.

\

In the first game of the year, a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Friburguense at Maracanã, with a goal by Juan. In the second, another hard-fought victory, 2-1, over Bangu at Volta Redonda. Marcelinho Paraíba and Angelim scored. Despite the difficulties, Flamengo started the year on the right foot, boasting a 100% record in January. But in March, a setback would further strain the relationship between team and fans. In the semifinals of the Guanabara Cup, a result stunned a packed Maracanã. On Carnival Saturday, the party was celebrated by modest Resende, who beat Flamengo 3-1 and secured a spot in the GB Cup final, which Botafogo won.

\

The setback, however, seems to have motivated the team. Despite press reports of the group's poor relationship with coach Cuca, Flamengo continued to win back its fans. Through grit and commitment, and also through the support of captain Fabio Luciano, who had already announced his retirement at the end of the Carioca, the red-and-blacks gained momentum. Then it was time to decide the Taça Rio. A victory and Botafogo would secure the state title. But, as usual in the last two years, when the two teams faced each other in the finals, the red and black had the loudest voice. This time, even a Botafogo fan helped Flamengo. Defender Emerson scored the winning own goal that sent Flamengo to the state final, which began the following week.

\

On the 3rd, Flamengo and Botafogo faced off again to decide the Campeonato Carioca title. In a thrilling match, another 2-2 draw, another penalty shootout, and another victory for Flamengo. It was the club's fifth three-peat, its 31st state title, and the club's most successful team in the competition's history. A much-celebrated achievement, but one that, in December, would be overshadowed by a greater prize.

\

The unfair elimination to Internacional in the Copa do Brasil didn't dampen Flamengo's spirits. However, rumors of a rift between the team and the coach grew, poor results began to surface in the Brazilian Championship, and the club underwent a major overhaul. There was a change in leadership on the field and in the boardroom. Andrade took over as coach, Marcos Braz as vice-president of football, and, curiously, when everyone expected a crisis, the team rebounded.

\

August was a month of restructuring. Flamengo struggled to find a replacement for Ibson and another for Fabio Luciano, had many players with injury problems, and had to scramble to recruit players. David, Álvaro, and Maldonado arrived to shore up the defense. Denis Marques and Gil were signed for the attack. Gradually, the team began to find its feet and began to gain momentum, and from September onward, it never stopped. Between September and October, it went ten games unbeaten, even losing to Barueri, but recovered and continued winning.

\

Palmeiras, São Paulo, Atlético Mineiro, Grêmio, Cruzeiro... All the contenders for the title and a Libertadores berth stumbled and fell, one by one, against Flamengo, which was only climbing the table. From a discredited team almost in the relegation zone, to a united group that seemed unbeatable, aiming for a spot in the top four. It came. So, the goal was to stay there. It was achieved. Then came the final three rounds and the real chance at the title.

\

Then came the fateful match against Goiás. The Maracanã was packed, the fans were celebrating the world's largest mosaic, São Paulo had been defeated by Botafogo, and they needed only a win to take the lead. But it never came. The team drew 4-2, and the São Paulo fans were grateful. But only briefly. The following week, Goiás defeated Tricolor 2-0 in Goiânia, and Mengão beat Corinthians XNUMX-XNUMX in São Paulo, taking first place in the Brazilian Championship with one round remaining.

\

To close the year with a flourish, Flamengo needed just one match to make December the most important month of the season. On Sunday, the 6th, they hosted Grêmio at Maracanã to seal their sixth national championship. The team defeated the Gauchos 2-1, with goals from defenders David and Ronaldo Angelim, and won the Brazilian Championship after a long 17-year wait.

\

The Hero and the Emperor: May was the month of the fifth title, but it was also the month of two key returns for the happy end of the year for Flamengo fans, with the sixth Brazilian championship. The Hero and the Emperor were once again donning the Sacred Mantle. Petkovic, scorer of the fourth title, and Adriano, one of the best center forwards in the world, were back home, for different reasons.

\

Seven years after leaving Gávea, Adriano terminated his contract with Inter Milan and returned to Brazil in search of happiness, which he could only find at the club he loved. Therefore, he signed with the Rubro-Negro and would prove instrumental in the team's campaign from then on. He scored 19 goals, was the top scorer in the Brazilian Championship alongside Diego Tardelli, and became, once and for all, a part of Flamengo's history.

\

Petkovic, on the other hand, returned to Flamengo, initially to settle debts with the club. But gradually, he earned opportunities and became the central midfielder in the Flamengo's sixth-title campaign. He scored a stunning goal, provided assists, scored free kicks, and delivered perfect passes... Wearing the number 43 jersey on his back, a reference to his goal scored in the 43th minute of the second half in the 2001 State Championship final, Petkovic reminisced about the good old days and played a key role in the sixth-title victory.

\

The Trunk: A good team only delivers results when it has a good coach. There's no denying it: Flamengo's six-time Brazilian champion owes much to Andrade. From assistant coach to eleven coaches to the role of squad leader, the former player and eternal idol of the red-and-black club had the team under his wing, knew how to get the best out of each player, tweaked the tactical scheme, and reaped the rewards.

\

Named the CBF's best coach of the year, Andrade made history. He was the first Black Brazilian champion as a coach, the fourth Brazilian player to win the tournament as both a player and a coach, and the first to achieve this feat with Flamengo. In short, he became one of the greatest names in the conquest and in world football. After all, Andrade is also a six-time champion: he won five titles as a player and one as a coach.

\

Other sports: 2009 was one of the best years in the history of Flamengo basketball. The team strengthened for the new season and signed key players like Jefferson William and center Baby, who would leave Gávea midway through the year. The club began the year competing in the Liga das Américas, where a very strong group saw Flamengo finish second in its group in the first phase and fail to qualify for the Final Four.

\

But then, the year is full of joy. In the South American League, the team crushes its opponents and secures its first title by defeating Quimsa in Argentina. In the strongest National Championship in recent years, Flamengo is devastating, securing its second title by defeating Universo in a best-of-five match. In December, now revamped, the team also wins the State Championship. In the water, Flamengo also won the State Rowing Championship and the Brazilian Absolute Synchronized Swimming Championship.

\

Time of Year: Winning the 2009 Brazilian Championship
Character of the Year: Adriano, Andrade or Petkovic? Give your opinion.
Game of the Year: Flamengo 2 x 1 Grêmio, last match of the Brasileirão
Top Scorer of the Year: Adriano, with 19 goals

\

To check out all of Flamengo's games in 2009, click here.
For more information about this year, visit this article on Flapedia.
Flamengo's 2009 football season, month by month, can be read here.
Learn even more about Flamengo's football this year here.
Relive the last match of the Brasileirão, the title game, Flamengo 2 x 1 Grêmio here.
Also remember the games against Botafogo that gave Mengão the fifth state title here e here.