The 2002 season began with high expectations at Gávea. Flamengo, the reigning three-time Rio de Janeiro champion and Copa dos Campeões champion, returned to the Copa Libertadores after nine years and was considered one of the favorites to reach the final stage of the intercontinental competition. Therefore, the fans even accepted the team's stumbles in the Rio-São Paulo Tournament and also in the Campeonato Carioca earlier that year. After all, the Libertadores was their ultimate goal.

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Then came the day of the long-awaited debut: February 6th. Flamengo faced Once Caldas, away from home, and ended up losing 1-0. A result considered, to a certain extent, normal. But things started to get out of hand a week later, on the 14th. Júlio Cesar, Maurinho (Roma), Juan, Fernando, Athirson (Andrezinho), Leandro Ávila, Felipe Melo, Rocha, Juninho, Petkovic and Leandro Machado (Tuta) took the field at Maracanã knowing the importance of that match.

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It was the red-and-black team's first home game in the Libertadores Cup after a nine-year wait. But even with a packed Maracanã stadium, the team struggled and ended up losing 3-1 to Universidad Católica. At the same Maracanã stadium, however, there was a glimmer of hope on the 27th. Flamengo faced Olce Caldas of Colombia again, and this time, they played well and even scored a rout. Juninho scored twice, and Roma and Fernando completed the scoring.

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Then, back at home, another setback: a 0-0 draw against Olímpia. In Chile, a 2-1 loss to Universidad, and to end the first stage, another setback, this time against Olímpia: 2-0. Neither the newly signed Juninho Paulista nor the hero of the 2001 titles, Petkovic, could lead the team to the Copa Libertadores finals. These negative results were decisive for the rest of the season.

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Flamengo's squad changes significantly for the Champions League and Brasileirão. The starting lineup now consists of Júlio Cesar, Alessandro, André, Fernando (André Bahia), Athirson, Jorginho, Felipe Melo, Fabio Baiano, Iranildo (Evandro), Liédson, and Zé Carlos (Andrezinho). Initially, the changes work, with Flamengo beating São Caetano and Vitória while playing strong football. However, they lose to Cruzeiro in the semifinals, saying goodbye to their dream of a second title. In the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo has a very inconsistent campaign, even hovering in the relegation zone for a few rounds. But in the end, they manage to stay in the top flight. One match stands out: a 5-2 victory over a star-studded Fluminense, complete with a missed penalty by Romário and a memorable Fabio Baiano.

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Impeachment - At the beginning of 2002, Flamengo's president was Edmundo dos Santos Silva. However, on July 8th, a historic event occurred. Flamengo's opposition called a meeting of the club's board members, and in a vote held at the Gávea headquarters, the president was removed from office, accused of administrative misconduct. Gilberto Cardoso Filho took his place on an interim basis, after vice-president Júlio Lopes resigned. That same year, presidential elections were held, and the new president of Flamengo was businessman Hélio Ferraz, with Radamés Latari as his vice-president.

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Other Sports – Oscar Schimidt was the name of Flamengo's greatest honor in 2002. The club won the Adult Men's State Championship, with another outstanding performance from the star player, who once again demonstrated all his determination and love for Flamengo. Along with athletes such as Alberto, Olivinha, Alexey, Gema, Olívia, Ricardinho, and others, Oscar played the final match against the Automóvel Clube de Campos team, after suffering a cardiac arrhythmia at the end of the fourth playoff game. Despite being advised by doctors not to play, Oscar went with the team to Campos and won another title in his illustrious career. At the end of the game, tears welled up in the eyes of the entire Flamengo fans, who once again felt proud to see an athlete like Oscar wear the sacred jersey.

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In Olympic gymnastics, Daniele Hypólito's star continued to shine in Brazil and around the world, where she excelled in several international competitions, becoming the greatest Brazilian gymnast of all time. Another Flamengo athlete who excelled internationally was Danielle's brother, gymnast Diego Hypólito. Flamengo won the Brazilian Absolute Championship and the Brazilian Individual All-Around Championship with Daniele Hypólito.

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Flamengo's swimming also shone brightly in 2002. In addition to the Brazilian Trophy and the José Finkel Trophy, Flamengo won the Absolute State Championship for the Summer and Winter seasons, the Master State Championship, the Brazilian Senior Championship, the Junior State Championship, the Brazilian Winter Children's Championship, and the Brazilian Children's Championship. In Synchronized Swimming, Flamengo won the Absolute Brazilian Championship, and in Water Polo, they won the Women's State Championship.

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Time of Year: Elimination from the Copa Libertadores da América
Character of the Year: Juninho Paulista
Game of the Year: Flamengo 5 x 2 Fluminense, for the Brazilian Championship
Top Scorer of the Year: Liedson, with 15 goals

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To check out all of Flamengo's games in 2000, click here.
For more information about this year, visit this article on Flapedia.