Flamengo debuts this Wednesday, February 24th, in the 2010 edition of the Copa Libertadores da América. The red-and-black team, which already made history by winning its fifth Campeonato Carioca title and its sixth Brazilian championship, seeks to repeat the feat of the club's golden generation, which won the continent's most important competition in 1981. And, if it depends on the heroes of that triumph, they will succeed.

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The top scorer in the finals, Nunes, secured at least four titles for Flamengo: the 1980 Brazilian Championship, the 1981 State Championship, the Interclub World Cup that same year, and the Brazilian Championship again in 1982. He didn't score in the Libertadores final, but he scored six times throughout the competition. Now, from the sidelines, he's rooting for Adriano and company.

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"They will have our support, along with all the Libertadores and World Cup champions. We are there cheering and forming a chain for this second championship. You can be sure that I will be close to this squad to help in the best way possible," he stated.

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Nunes played in two Libertadores Cups for Flamengo. In 1981, he won, and in 1982, he was eliminated by Peñarol. Having lived through both experiences, the Flamengo idol offers one piece of advice to the current team: believe. Not even the eliminations in 2007 and 2008 can discourage the Flamengo fans.

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"My advice is to trust in their potential. Play with love for the shirt, be aware that they are playing for Flamengo and not just any team. They have a lot of quality, identify with the club, it's a close-knit group, and that's essential to achieving a goal. The player has to have this concern," he said.

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João Batista Nunes scored 99 goals in 214 appearances for Flamengo. One of the standouts of the "Zico Era," he won four Guanabara Cups, one Campeonato Carioca, four Brazilian Championships, the Libertadores, and the World Cup.