From the venue of this year's Copa do Brasil final to the George Helal Training Center, it's almost 40 kilometers. The first Flamengo goal of this campaign was scored in a place more than 50 times further away, at the Governador Alberto Tavares Silva Stadium, known as Albertão, in Piauí. There, Flamengo faced the fearless Altos team. The match, the first in history between the two teams, became the highest-grossing match in the history of the Northeast. 

The noise in Teresina was made up of thousands of fans who left their homes wearing their most beautiful Flamengo jerseys, coming from various cities and present everywhere the team bus passed, including the airport, hotel, and stadium. The motorcades accompanying the delegation included countless motorcycles, cars, bicycles, pedestrians, and people at their windows.

Pedro's stunning goal – Flamengo vs. Altos

The first spectacular goal of the 2022 tournament was scored to equalize the score in a game that already featured another beautiful goal, scored by Manoel with a bicycle kick for the home team. The 1-1 draw was achieved with perseverance. Bruno Henrique, who was directly involved in the opponent's goal, was responsible for initiating Flamengo's comeback, pressing the opponent's build-up play and winning, in a shoulder-to-shoulder duel with Tibiri, yet another assist in a relentless counter-attack for his collection. The number 27 sprinted and entered the area on the left, carrying the ball with his right foot. Between him and the goal there was a defender and the goalkeeper, but his left-footed tap-in, through the defender's legs, surprised the entire country. 

It wasn't Pedro who shocked anyone, and with equal perseverance, he shot at the right moment to intercept the ball and found the back of the net in the 20th minute of the second half, ending a drought that had lasted 636 minutes spread across 12 long games. The come-from-behind victory would be the first step on the journey to compete for the fourth title.

Another great goal by Pedro – Flamengo vs Athletico-PR

The second spectacular goal of the odyssey to the final was also scored by Pedro Guilherme. In the quarterfinals, Athletico-PR demonstrated the solidity of its team by engaging in a tactical battle. After a tense and goalless match at the Maracanã, the spot in the semifinals was decided at the Estádio Joaquim Américo Guimarães, the Arena da Baixada, in Paraná.

At 11 minutes and 35 seconds into the second half, Rodinei once again left his markers in the dust, as he had done throughout the first half, passing to Everton Ribeiro and sprinting forward. The number 7, with two touches, put the right-back in a position to cross. Taking advantage of his speed, he slowed down in time to see the ball almost go out of play, saving it from another goal kick with a cross that made the earth stop spinning. While that piece of leather floated through the air after Rodinei's right-footed touch, the earth spun backward and returned to the times of Leônidas da Silva. The greatest master of the bicycle kick saw his art reverberated through Pedro's number 21 shirt, who lifted his feet off the ground to create yet another moment of eternal beauty.   

The Black Diamond would be proud of the unstoppable, undeniable first-time shot that silenced thousands of fans of the home team, who, even led by a legendary Brazilian football coach, succumbed to the nectar of Brazilian football artistry. Brazil's Most Beloved advanced to the semifinals.

João Gomes' stunning goal – Flamengo vs. São Paulo

The spot in the final was decided in two matches won by Flamengo against São Paulo, with the second game played at the Maracanã. The third spectacular goal on the road to the final came in the first leg of the semi-finals at Morumbi. The only goal of the match, out of the five scored during the semi-final phase, was made by João Gomes. João Victor Gomes da Silva is the personification of the Flamengo spirit through the emanation, in the form of football, of all his love for Flamengo.

The number 35 shirt holder was 104 days old, just over three months old, when Petkovic scored the winning goal for the third World Cup title in 2001. Over time, his presence in the North section of the stands, in numerous Flamengo games throughout his life, propelled him to inspire new generations of Flamengo stars, even at only 21 years old. His determination is evident in his passes and tackles, in his challenges, ball disputes, runs, and quick thinking. And it was with this determination that the Ramos academy graduate appeared as a surprise element in the penalty area 12 minutes into the first half. 

Standing at 1,76m tall, Joãozinho rose higher than the opposing defense and headed the ball with a technique that perfectly reflects his style of play: without violence and with great skill. Everton Ribeiro's cross from the left found Gomes floating for all to see. The astonishment was universal. The young Flamengo player's forehead altered the ball's trajectory, and after a delicate header, the ball kissed the post and then nestled into the net, sending the Flamengo fans into raptures. The opposing coach was perhaps one of the least surprised by the young player's feat, since he himself had established the boy as a starter during his time as coach of the team with the Biggest Fanbase in the World. 

Perseverance, talent, and fighting spirit have always been part of the ink used to write the Flamengo achievements. The magic of football and faith in Mengo are the essence of the Nation's omnipresence and Flamengo's ability to break records, overcome barriers, and make the Flamengo heart soar.