September 13, 2016, will forever be etched in the history of football. Thousands of Flamengo fans woke up early, stopped traffic in downtown Rio, and walked in procession to embrace the Flamengo team at Santos Dumont Airport, heading to São Paulo. Immediately afterward, they repeated the feat at Congonhas Airport, welcoming the players with open arms. What beautiful scenes of affection! Athletes embraced and kissed by the fans! Pure expressions of love, encouragement, and devotion.
The World's Biggest Fanbase threw a beautiful party for itself, celebrating "being Flamengo." They threw a beautiful party for the team, which with grit, love, and passion has honored our colors and our victorious tradition.
It was a sea of people filled with positive vibes. Our chants of encouragement were shouted at the top of our lungs. The perfect formula to unite those who will be on the field tomorrow, fighting for every ball, giving their all in every tackle, with those outside the stadium who will suffer, laugh, cry, and cheer. Those who will, once again, live the magical experience of being a Flamengo fan. On the field or watching from afar.
The match against Palmeiras is just another game, some say. It's a decision, others say. Both sides are right. It will be another challenge in the Brazilian Championship, worth three points, against a very tough opponent. But the truth is, it was never just about that. The cry of the Red-Black Nation today is worth more than the points in the standings. It shapes the team and fans around a single purpose: win, win, win. With grit and austerity, once Flamengo, Flamengo until death!
This is a feeling that needs to permeate Wednesday's game. It needs to last until the end of the season. It needs to last forever.
After what we saw today in Rio, São Paulo, and throughout Brazil through social media, we, the athletes, coaching staff, board of directors, and all Flamengo employees, as well as our mass of fans, shout with one voice:
Come on, Flamengo!