Meet Joãozinho, the waiter who has been with Flamengo for 34 years
João Carlos da Silva served meals to generations of red-and-black idols
By Communication - Official Club Website - in
This morning, Flamengo's training session took place at the Gávea clubhouse. Among the members of the club's long-standing tradition, in addition to fans, athletes, and coaching staff, are professionals unknown to the nation, but who play a fundamental role in the players' daily lives. One of them is Joãozinho, who has been the club's cup-winner for 34 years, a milestone achieved this Saturday (September 26.09).
João Carlos da Silva, a native of Jacarepaguá, serves meals to the Flamengo players and coaching staff at the George Helal Training Center in Vargem Grande. He says that, like any young boy, he arrived at the club with the dream of becoming a soccer player.
"I came here to play soccer, right here in Gávea. Humble, with poor soccer shoes... Renato Gaúcho gave me his soccer shoes," he recalls. But the job opportunity came in the kitchen. And there he's stayed ever since, seeing a series of generations of red-and-black idols in over three decades of dedication to the Most Beloved.
When asked about the most memorable moment in his time at the club, the answer is easy to find. "It was the World Cup. Our team was full of stars..." says Joãozinho. With his life story intertwined with Flamengo's history, the cup-winner melts when talking about the Rubro-Negro.
"For me, Flamengo is everything. I love Flamengo. Above all, it helped me raise my four children. I owe everything I have to the club," he concluded.
João Carlos da Silva, a native of Jacarepaguá, serves meals to the Flamengo players and coaching staff at the George Helal Training Center in Vargem Grande. He says that, like any young boy, he arrived at the club with the dream of becoming a soccer player.
"I came here to play soccer, right here in Gávea. Humble, with poor soccer shoes... Renato Gaúcho gave me his soccer shoes," he recalls. But the job opportunity came in the kitchen. And there he's stayed ever since, seeing a series of generations of red-and-black idols in over three decades of dedication to the Most Beloved.
When asked about the most memorable moment in his time at the club, the answer is easy to find. "It was the World Cup. Our team was full of stars..." says Joãozinho. With his life story intertwined with Flamengo's history, the cup-winner melts when talking about the Rubro-Negro.
"For me, Flamengo is everything. I love Flamengo. Above all, it helped me raise my four children. I owe everything I have to the club," he concluded.