Champion in 1990, 2011, 2016 and 2018, Flamengo got to know its headquarters and opponents this Thursday afternoon (3) ª 53 edition of the São Paulo Junior Football Cup, whichwhich begins on January 2nd. Fighting for the fifth title of the traditional competition, the Garotos do Ninho will play the first phase in the city of Jaú, which is 250 km from the capital of São Paulo, and will have as opponents at the Zezinho Magalhães Stadium XV de Jaú (SP), Aparecidense (GO) and Floresta (CE), which was also in the Mais Querido's group in 2022. The São Paulo Football Federation will still release the schedule, dates and times of the games.

Remember the 4 titles won by the red-black in the history of Copinha:

1990

Flamengo arrived in São Paulo to compete in the Copinha in 1990 with a squad that, to this day, is considered one of the best in the competition's history. It was the core of the incredible team that won the Rio de Janeiro championship in 1991 and the five-time Brazilian champion in 1992, featuring players like Junior Baiano, Marcelinho Carioca, Djalminha, Fabinho, and Nélio, among others.

In that year's campaign, Mengão won seven games, drew three, and lost only one. Initially based in Santos, Mengão achieved impressive results, such as a 7-1 rout of Corinthians at Pacaembú and a 3-0 victory over Internacional in the semifinals. In the final, Mengão defeated Juventus (SP) 1-0, with a goal from Junior Baiano after a pass from Djalminha, and won its first Copinha.

2011

Twenty-one years later, Mengão won the São Paulo Cup again. Playing in São José dos Campos in the group stage, the Rubro-Negro team won the Copa São Paulo undefeated title for the first time, with a consistent record of six wins and two draws. On the way to their second title, the "Mais Querido" eliminated traditional rivals such as Cruzeiro and São Paulo. In the quarterfinals, with the team already on a roll, they defeated Coritiba 21-6. In the semifinals, Mengão defeated Desportivo Brasil on penalties.

Riding the wave of Negueba, elected the star of that Copinha, and a Pacaembú packed with 40 thousand red-black fans, the Mais Querido beat Bahia 2-1 in the final, in a very difficult game, and became two-time champion of the Copa São Paulo.

Flamengo played the final with: Cesar, Alex Santos, Marllon Borges, Frauches, Anderson Santos; Muralha, Rafinha, Lorran, Adryan; Lucas Quintino and Negueba. Coach: Paulo Henrique.

2016

In 2016, Flamengo won the Copinha for the third time, once again going undefeated and defeating Corinthians in a historic final. With the increased number of participants, Flamengo had to play nine matches. Under coach Zé Ricardo, they recorded seven wins and two draws. This team produced, among others, defender Leo Duarte, midfielder Lucas Paquetá, and forward Felipe Vizeu, the campaign's top scorer with seven goals.

That year, the Garotos do Ninho hosted the group stage in Mogi das Cruzes, defeating Red Bull Brasil (2-1), Palmeiras RN (5-1), and União Mogi (3-1). Flamengo performed well in the knockout stages, putting in their strongest performances in the 2-0 victory over São Paulo in the quarterfinals and the difficult 2-1 comeback victory over América MG in the semifinals.

In the final, after losing 2-0 in the first half to Corinthians, Mengão played brilliantly in the second half, equalizing within 15 minutes, and only failed to win in regulation time because the referee incorrectly disallowed the third goal. With much emotion, the "Mais Querido" won the penalty shootout 4-3 and celebrated their third championship title.

Flamengo played with Thiago, Thiago Ennes, Leo Duarte, Dener, Arthur Bonaldo; Ronaldo, Trindade, Lucas Paqueta, Cafu; Matheus Sávio and Felipe Vizeu. Coach: Ze Ricardo.

2018

Of the four, this was perhaps the most difficult and unexpected achievement. Throughout the Copinha season, due to the needs of the professional squad, most of the red-and-black players were divided between the Copinha games in Barueri and the Campeonato Carioca, with the majority of matches being played in Volta Redonda. Athletes like goalkeeper Hugo Souza, midfielder Pepê, and forward Lucas Silva joined the professional squad in Rio. But the vast majority of the players played in both competitions simultaneously.

With eight wins and only one draw, Mengão, led by Mauricio Souza, struggled to overcome all their opponents in the knockout stage, even having only three outfield players on the bench in the match against Audax (a 1-0 victory for the red-and-blacks). And who doesn't remember Vitor Gabriel's stunning goal, driving the ball at speed for more than 70 meters in the 1-0 victory over Avaí in the quarterfinals?

In the semifinals, a hard-fought, come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Portuguesa in a packed Canindé stadium. And in the final, despite playing with a severely understaffed team, Mengão performed with great determination, seeing goalkeeper Yago Darub close the net, and with a header from Wendel in the first minute of the game, they silenced a packed Pacaembú stadium and defeated a strong São Paulo 1-0, celebrating wildly with the 7 red-and-black fans who packed the now-defunct Tobogã stadium for their fourth Copa São Paulo title.