The Nation's Flanatics and their magnificent follies

Chapter II

Text by Luiz Helio

What is a Fla-Flu if not the most primitive spectacle on earth? After all, "on the day paradise was inaugurated, there was a Fla-Flu with open gates, and people were streaming down the walls," as playwright Nelson Rodrigues brilliantly recorded. He was there, without a doubt. And so that no doubt would ever be cast as to who would have the greater advantage in this duel that "came forty minutes before out of nowhere," another genius—this time in music—made it clear: "(Flamengo) is the most likely in the Fla-Flu." Lamartine Babo may not have been a self-confessed Flamengo fan, but like Nelson, his Flamengo soul also betrayed him by inspiring the lyrics of his most beautiful and famous anthem. Coach Abel Braga once declared that a match between Flamengo and Vasco could even spark a more intense rivalry, but "a Fla-Flu is much more beautiful to watch." He's right, as it's usually a high-scoring game, where chance or "Almeida's supernatural" always plays a role, regardless of whether one team is in better form than the other. Among countless examples, just to illustrate, I'll cite two recent ones. How can we forget that strange yet life-saving penalty kick taken by Cássio in 2001 that culminated in the conquest of another Guanabara Championship and the surge to a fourth consecutive title? And that little tip of the boot by fellow full-back Roger as Cleber came off in the 2004 state championship? And what about the '95 final? I don't know, I've already erased it from my memory and have no interest in revisiting it. Let's leave it to them, the Tricolor rainbows, who have much less to celebrate. Everyone knows it's a cliché that there's no favorite in the Fla-Flu match. However, there is one distinguishing factor in the classic: the enigmatic and captivating red-and-black nation. In fact, in any Mengo match at the Maracanã, no matter who they're against. This year, in the second leg of the Guanabara Cup final against Madureira – Flamengo had lost the first leg – commentator Galvão Bueno, moved by the spectacle provided by the magnetic atmosphere before, during, and after the game, declared: "When this crowd embraces this team, it usually goes far. History shows that." Well, the embrace began to open in the duel against Náutico and will certainly continue to embrace the Most Beloved from now on. It's a synergy that is born, driven by the team's spirit on the field (of course, when it shows) and that reaches phenomenal proportions throughout the nation in the stands and in front of the millions of televisions spread across bars, restaurants, hotels, and homes throughout Brazil. Congratulations, red-and-black nation of the Maracanã! In your warm arms, Flamengo becomes unbeatable. What kind of crowd is this? This is the Flamengo crowd. Simply the biggest and the best.

The Collector of Macaé

The Collector is the number 10 of the Macaé fans\ Photo: Archive/Paulo Tinoco\

Advertising professional Paulo Renato Medeiros Tinoco is 43 years old and lives in Macaé, in the state of Rio, where he is married, has a daughter and works in advertising. He began following Flamengo's games in 1977, listening to the Mais Querido's victories on the radio with the extraordinary and vibrant commentary of Jorge Cury and, later, José Carlos Araújo. According to him, even when things weren't going so well, the waves of Rádio Nacional managed to captivate him by capturing the chilling cry of meeeengôôô, which echoed directly from the Maracanã to the whole of Brazil. “This was unbeatable and it was always my great pride as a fan, to be part of this true celebration. No bad phase could overcome her,” recalls Paulo.\ Irreverent, this Flamengo fan from Macaé said he loves to make fun of his work colleagues, or rather, the rainbows. Whenever Mengo triumphs, he sends telegrams, diplomas, death certificates and letters mocking his sad companions in labor. But Paulo Tinoco warns that he is a peaceful person and has never argued or fought with any opponent over football. “Irreverence has more to do with our Flamengo joy than any kind of confusion, doesn't it?” Contemporize. When Fla won the fourth championship in 87, the “victim” that time was a poor Vasco fan who worked with him. “For more than a week I drove the codfish mad with rage as I discovered newspaper clippings hidden around the office.” And it's not just in the workplace that the red-and-black mischief runs wild. Like every happy Flamengo fan, Paulo also loves to show the world his famous pride in being part of the largest and most vibrant nation. Is there a Fla lap of honor at the Maracanã? Then the party spreads through the streets of the "Cidade do Petróleo" with a sound truck invading the shopping center playing the anthem, goals and red-black songs all day long.\ Some time later, Tinoco began to express his passion by collecting materials about the club, such as magazines, newspapers, books and posters. Nothing more than any other fan didn't have, right? It turns out that the difference in its immense and rich collection is in the research and cataloging of songs about Flamengo, in which the organized list records more than 160 compositions, both tributes and citations. In fact, part of this precious research has already been published in this column, in the article: A Passion that also burns in art - Flamengo good at football and samba.\ The justification for his commitment to always keeping alive this feeling of grandeur awakened by the Gávea club and not letting its glorious past be erased from the memory of the fans, could not be more noble: “If Flamengo is the giant we see today, that captivates crowds, it is because there was a beginning way back. The founders, the athletes, the idols and our great names of the past deserve eternal reverence from the CRF itself and from all Flamengo fans.” Everything indicates that your dream, and that of millions of other "brothers and sisters in faith," may soon be realized through the "Red-Black Memorial" Project, which is being developed by the current administration.

Besides the numerous titles he celebrated, one event in itself forever marked the advertising executive's life. It was during his wedding, held in 1992 at Flamengo Futebol Clube in Macaé. "At the end of the party, several members of my family entered the club's hall carrying my flag (4,00 x 2,50 cm) and wearing Flamengo shirts made of crepe paper. I couldn't resist crying." Undoubtedly, this was another powerful emotion experienced by this great Flamengo fan, known as the Collector of Macaé.

Next week: The Nation's Flanáticos and their magnificent follies – chapter III: Edilberto de Teresina - for a Strong Fla; A Belgian Flamengo fan who is and speaks Flamengo, literally. SRN and see you then, God willing!\ Blog Letras embriagadas: heliopoeta.blogspot.com\