Flamengo's first professional goalkeeper, Fernandinho, dies at 105
Former player leaves us with a lot of longing and the certainty that he will forever be in the history of Mais Querido
By Flamengo Communication - in
Saturday (28) dawned in mourning. In the early hours of the morning, Fernando Ferreira Botelho, our Fernandinho, passed away at the age of 105 in Rio de Janeiro. The former player was the first professional goalkeeper in the history of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo and left his name immortalized in the memory of the Rubro-Negra Nation.
Fernandinho defended the Sacred Mantle from 1931 to 1934. Born on March 2, 1913, he appeared in 62 matches for the World's Most Beloved. Before officially becoming a professional, the goalkeeper played for free and for a love that he carried until his final day.
At the wake, held this Saturday, the goalkeeper was celebrated by family and friends, as well as by those who always admired him. Singing the Flamengo anthem, everyone was able to bid the former athlete a final and emotional farewell.
Fernandinho's story is intertwined with that of Flamengo. The last goalkeeper at the Paissandu Street stadium, Flamengo's home from 1916 to 1932, he boasted an impressive feat: he never lost to Fluminense while wearing the jersey.
In 1919, when he was just 6 years old, the goalkeeper went to the Laranjeiras stadium during Flamengo's 4-0 defeat to Fluminense, which guaranteed the third state championship (1917-18-19) for the rival. Already the starting goalkeeper in 1932, Fernandinho "took revenge" on the Tricolores, winning by the same score. In several interviews given over the years, he said that this was the best match of his life.
On the official website, Fábio Leme, the player's grandson and journalist, spoke about his grandfather's role in his life inside and outside the stands.
"I don't know exactly when I discovered this whole Flamengo thing. I remember attending school at the club, and he was the one who took me. I'm still a goalkeeper in amateur football, and I've always loved playing that way. I chose that position before I knew who he was. Life showed me that. For me, he was always my grandfather. I knew I'd played for Flamengo, but I was very young and didn't realize the scale of it. I spent almost my entire childhood at Flamengo and at Jockey, which was his other passion. He always encouraged me a lot, without pressuring me for playing. I was his greatest joy, but also his biggest disappointment for not pursuing a career. He couldn't accept that I'd stopped grabbing. But we always had a strong connection; he was truly a strong voice. He'd pick me up from catechism on Mondays, and my mother would ask to take me straight home, but he'd take me for sandwiches, for example. He was always very calm, calm, and always my grandfather, not the club's first goalkeeper," Fábio recalled.
Also present at the wake was president Eduardo Bandeira de Mello, who commented on Fernandinho's importance to Flamengo. "Fernandinho was an illustrious figure in Flamengo's history. He was a very kind person and a passionate fan. We will always remember him with fondness and affection," he stated.
Clube de Regatas do Flamengo deeply mourns the loss of one of its icons and celebrates the life of someone who dedicated himself so lovingly to defending the Sacred Mantle. Fernandinho, you are eternal.