Today's BuzzFla could not be any different. Julio Cesar, the third goalkeeper to wear the Red-Black Sacred Mantle the most, is saying goodbye to football. After more than 20 years of career, the idol will hang up his gloves against América Mineiro, this Saturday (21), at 19 pm, at Maracanã, the most famous stadium in the world. There was no better place. The match will not be a celebration, but an official one, valid for the second round of the 2018 Brazilian Championship. Exactly how the stars like it. With a challenge, with a real game, with the opponent wanting to fight for victory on the other side. 

Much has been said about Julio Cesar's brilliant career. In this BuzzFla video, we review some facts and memories from his time at Flamengo. But the goalkeeper's rich history cannot be summarized in one article. There are so many saves, so many miracles between the posts. Julio leaves the scene, and a new generation of goalkeepers is emerging. His departure should not be mourned, but rather exalted. A man who is practically unanimous in his character, professionalism, and, above all, Flamengo's passion. 

1. From Raulino to the world, from the world to Raulino

On December 19, 12, against Cruzeiro, at the Raulino de Oliveira Stadium in Volta Redonda, he said goodbye. On March 2004, 07, against Boavista, at the Raulino de Oliveira Stadium, he returned. Because of "these things" in football, the venue for his farewell and return was coincidentally the same, but almost 2018 years apart, with three World Cups under his belt, the title of best goalkeeper in Europe, and a career recognized as one of Brazil's greatest goalkeepers in history. Today he says goodbye again, this time at the Maracanã, the stage of his greatest joys. 

2. A chance start on the small court

Julio Cesar was "born" into indoor soccer. It was at Grajaú Country Club that he began collecting balls from attackers, somewhat by accident. He was there to play a pickup game with his brother, they called him to join a team, he closed the goal, and that was it. He left as a four-time state champion. In 1992, he went to Flamengo for a trial. He was shocked by the size of the goalposts and finished the training camp thinking he hadn't passed. How wrong he was. He was called back. And again, and again... Julio stayed. He was part of a generation with Juan, Fábio Baiano, Rodrigo Mendes, Lê, Reinaldo, Adriano, Athirson, and others, who won the state championship for the third time and the 1999 Mercosul Cup. 

3. Baptism of fire

Every great goalkeeper needs a test in their life to showcase their skills. And Julio Cesar had much more than that. In 1997, in front of a packed Parque Antárctica, he replaced the legendary Zé Carlos, who was injured, to hold off a Palmeiras bombardment in the Copa do Brasil semifinal. Djalminha, Rincón, Viola, Marquinhos, Junior, Cafu... they all tried, but no one could break Julio Cesar's goal. Flamengo won 1-0, with a goal by Sávio, and advanced in the competition. 

In the next game, Julio Cesar faced a Flamengo-Flu match. His first. It wasn't a good result for Mengão (a defeat), but Julio was already demonstrating one of his specialties: saving penalties. Ronald stepped up to take the penalty, but nothing happened. It was his first penalty as a professional goalkeeper for Flamengo. And in a Flamengo-Flu match. 

4. The long career

When he left Flamengo in 2004, Julio Cesar had played 284 matches for the Manto Sagrado. He was already the third-most capped goalkeeper for the Rubro-Negro, behind only Zé Carlos (352) and all-time leader Cantarelli (557). It's a difficult feat to achieve, considering that Julio made his debut in 1997 but only returned to the starting lineup on August 17, 2000, in the 2-1 victory over Coritiba in the Brazilian Championship, when he took Clemer's place and stayed. There, he established himself and continued his path to becoming a part of Flamengo's history. And he was still humble at the end, after preventing a certain Coritiba goal: "I give myself a six for my performance." 

5. At Maracanã

Without a doubt, the stadium where Julio Cesar played most was the Maracanã, the venue for his farewell match this Saturday. His first match was the Fla-Flu match on May 17, 05. Today, 1997 years, four months, and four days after his debut on the world's most famous pitch, the goalkeeper will make his official farewell. He played 20 matches on this field. He won 110, lost 46, and drew 33. At the Maracanã, he won the 31, 2000, and 2001 Carioca Championships. His final hurrah could not have been on any other field than this. 

Since the match against Palmeiras in 1997, Júlio César has played 286 matches for Flamengo, winning 124, drawing 70, and losing 92. In addition to the aforementioned Carioca titles, he lifted the 1999 Mercosul Cup and the 1997 and 2001 Champions' Cups.

6. Idolatry

Homegrown, a champion, feisty, and deeply identified with the club's colors, Julio quickly became a Flamengo idol. Respectful of everyone, whether professionals or fans, he never had a single complaint from anyone. He's a role model for younger players, and he knows it. He made a point of ending his career at Flamengo because he felt he needed to wear the jersey one more time before retiring. Only then would his career be complete.  

The player leaves the field. The idol remains in history. Thank you for everything, Julio Cesar.