Sixty years of red-black glories
Maracanã celebrates its sixth decade of existence and the official website recalls Flamengo's achievements at the World's Largest
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
The pharaonic and impossible project of General Ângelo Mendes de Morais, supported by journalist Mário Rodrigues Filho, was heavily criticized, but it was from this project that what is now the great stage of Brazilian football and one of the world's leading stadiums was born. Exactly 60 years ago, the Maracanã was inaugurated in a friendly match between the Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo teams on June 16, 1950.
Today, six decades later, many players have shone on that pitch, many fans have had unforgettable parties in the stands, and many red-and-blacks, whether athletes or fans, have experienced unforgettable moments at the stadium.
"Maracanã represents everything to me. Even more so, since I was labeled a Maracanã player. What people didn't expect was that I would like that classification. Who doesn't want to be labeled a player at the greatest stadium in the world? Especially because in my time it was the greatest. And to this day it's the most charming. I'm very grateful to have lived my best moments there, on that pitch. I scored the most goals at the stadium and hold other records there. I even got a statue, even though I don't know if I truly deserve it," says Zico, executive director and great idol of the red-and-black football team, who scored 333 goals in the 435 matches he played at the stadium.
That's why Flamengo's official website has prepared a short special featuring some of the club's biggest games at the stadium.
Flamengo 3 x 1 Bangu – July 23, 1950: Flamengo made its official debut at the Maracanã. With Claudio (Antoninho), Juvenal, Bigode, Biguá, Bria, Valter, Aloísio, Arlindo, Hélio, Lero, and Esquerdinha, the team from Gávea gave the red and white team from the west zone no chance and comfortably won.
Flamengo 12 x 2 Saint Kitts – October 27, 1956: The biggest victory for the red-and-blacks at the stadium came in this match. The team from Gávea took to the field with Ari, Tomires, Pavão, Milton Copolilo, Luís Roberto, Jordan, Joel, Paulinho, Índio, Evaristo, and Zagallo. Evaristo, with five goals, and Índio, with four, led the rout.
Flamengo 3 x1 América – April 4, 1955: Flamengo's second three-time state soccer championship is etched in the club's history not only for the team's outstanding performance, led by the "wizard" Fleitas Solich, but also for being a fitting posthumous tribute to Gilberto Cardoso, the president who literally died for Flamengo after suffering a heart attack during a basketball game. With an inspired performance by Dida, who scored four times, Flamengo defeated América 4-1 and became, for the second time in history, three-time state soccer champions.
Flamengo 1 x 0 Vasco – December 3, 1978: That day, a pact was made between the Flamengo players. A pact of victories that would begin a sensational run of titles, including the Campeonato Carioca, twice in 1979, and again in 1981, the year in which the team won the Copa Libertadores da América and the Interclub World Championship. Rondinelli's goal marked the beginning of the Zico Era.
Flamengo 5 x 1 Atlético-MG – April 6, 1979: April 6, 1979, remains vivid in the memories of Flamengo fans who attended the friendly match between the Red-Blacks and the Galo Mineiro at Maracanã. Around 140 fans flocked to the world's biggest stadium to watch the acclaimed King of Football, Pelé, play alongside the King of Gávea, Zico. It was a historic night, with the star striker Júlio César, who had shared a room with Pelé the previous night, standing out.
Flamengo 3 x 2 Atlético-MG – June 1, 1980: Flamengo was missing the Brazilian Championship title. In nine years of national championship, the team had consistently had poor campaigns. This led to the team being known, especially in São Paulo, as "a Maracanã team." And Nunes was one of the main reasons for the club's first national title. After much fighting and hard-fought in the final matches, in the Maracanã match, the Red-Black Nation made the difference; the team gave its all on the field, and walked away with the trophy for best team in Brazil—the Brazilian Championship trophy.
Flamengo 6 x 0 Botafogo – November 8, 1981: Revenge for Botafogo's 6-0 thrashing of Flamengo would come nine years later. With an added irony: on the other side was Jairzinho, one of those responsible for the humiliation of 1972, on Flamengo's birthday.
Flamengo 3 x 0 Santos – May 29, 1983: On May 29, 1983, Flamengo defeated Santos 3-0 at the Maracanã, a match that will forever hold the record attendance in the history of the Brazilian Championship, with over 155 fans. Flamengo had lost the first leg at the Morumbi Stadium 2-1 and needed to win at the Maracanã. Early in the match, Zico opened the scoring within one minute of the match, Leandro doubled the lead in the 1th minute, and in the 39th minute, Adílio sealed the deal, scoring the third goal, thus securing Flamengo's third Brazilian Championship title.
Flamengo 1 x 0 Internacional – December 13, 1987: For the second time, Flamengo faced a team from Rio Grande do Sul in the Brazilian Championship final. After a shaky start, Flamengo gained momentum in the knockout stage, dispatching favorite Atlético-MG, and advancing to the final. On that occasion, they faced Internacional and, with a goal from Bebeto, became three-time Brazilian soccer champions.
Flamengo 2 x 2 World Team – February 6, 1990: Zico's farewell match was no ordinary one. The game was split into two. The first 45 minutes were a tribute to the Flamengo team that conquered the world, from the team's formation to the white uniform worn during the Tokyo title. The 1981 team, led by Paulo César Carpeggiani, played without defenders Figueiredo, who died in an accident, and Mozer, who was unable to attend. On the other side was a combined lineup of world football stars. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.
Flamengo 3 x 0 Botafogo – July 12, 1992: In the first phase, Flamengo went six matches without a win, suffering four defeats in 35 days. "Massacre at Maracanã" was the sports headline in O Globo on March 30, summing up the 4-2 rout inflicted by Vasco the day before. But after adjustments by coach Carlinhos, combining players like Gottardo, Gaúcho, Zinho, and goalkeeper Gilmar with the talent of Júnior, who at 38 still dazzled with his football, the team began a comeback rarely seen before in the history of the Brazilian Championship. To the more experienced players were added the youth of Nélio, Paulo Nunes, Djalminha, and Marcelinho Carioca. On a roll, Flamengo defeated Botafogo in the first match, 3-0, practically securing their fifth title.
Flamengo 3 x 1 Vasco – May 13, 2001: For the third consecutive time, Flamengo and Vasco faced off in the final of the Campeonato Carioca in 2001. On both previous occasions, the team from Gávea won. And the third time was no different. Despite losing the first leg 2-1, the Rubro-Negro went all out against their Cruzmaltino rivals, and with a goal in the 43rd minute of the second half, they won the final 3-1 and claimed another state trophy.
Flamengo 1 x 0 Vasco – July 26, 2006: In the first leg of the final, Flamengo defeated their rivals 2-0. The next match would confirm the club's second consecutive title and make Vasco da Gama taste the bitter taste of second place for the fifth consecutive time. With a goal from full-back Juan, and a perfect olé, the Flamengo won 1-0, delighting the club's immense fan base across the country.
Flamengo 2 x 2 Botafogo – May 3, 2009: In a thrilling match, Flamengo defeated Botafogo on penalties to win their fifth consecutive Rio de Janeiro state championship. After a 2-2 draw in regulation time, Bruno was the hero of the title, saving two penalty kicks and securing the victory for the Clube da Gávea. Flamengo assumed the hegemony of the Rio de Janeiro State Championship, with 31 titles won.
Flamengo 2 x 1 Grêmio – December 6, 2010: It couldn't have been any other way. It had been a 17-year wait, and the Flamengo fans deserved a major victory. And it arrived last night. With goals from David and Ronaldo Angelim, Flamengo beat Grêmio 2-1, reaching 67 points and winning their sixth Brazilian title. A title that truly embodies Flamengo. Hard-fought, a comeback, and a packed Maracanã stadium. A true epic in red and black, with dramatic and suspenseful overtones, but, of course, a happy ending.
Today, six decades later, many players have shone on that pitch, many fans have had unforgettable parties in the stands, and many red-and-blacks, whether athletes or fans, have experienced unforgettable moments at the stadium.
"Maracanã represents everything to me. Even more so, since I was labeled a Maracanã player. What people didn't expect was that I would like that classification. Who doesn't want to be labeled a player at the greatest stadium in the world? Especially because in my time it was the greatest. And to this day it's the most charming. I'm very grateful to have lived my best moments there, on that pitch. I scored the most goals at the stadium and hold other records there. I even got a statue, even though I don't know if I truly deserve it," says Zico, executive director and great idol of the red-and-black football team, who scored 333 goals in the 435 matches he played at the stadium.
That's why Flamengo's official website has prepared a short special featuring some of the club's biggest games at the stadium.
Flamengo 3 x 1 Bangu – July 23, 1950: Flamengo made its official debut at the Maracanã. With Claudio (Antoninho), Juvenal, Bigode, Biguá, Bria, Valter, Aloísio, Arlindo, Hélio, Lero, and Esquerdinha, the team from Gávea gave the red and white team from the west zone no chance and comfortably won.
Flamengo 12 x 2 Saint Kitts – October 27, 1956: The biggest victory for the red-and-blacks at the stadium came in this match. The team from Gávea took to the field with Ari, Tomires, Pavão, Milton Copolilo, Luís Roberto, Jordan, Joel, Paulinho, Índio, Evaristo, and Zagallo. Evaristo, with five goals, and Índio, with four, led the rout.
Flamengo 3 x1 América – April 4, 1955: Flamengo's second three-time state soccer championship is etched in the club's history not only for the team's outstanding performance, led by the "wizard" Fleitas Solich, but also for being a fitting posthumous tribute to Gilberto Cardoso, the president who literally died for Flamengo after suffering a heart attack during a basketball game. With an inspired performance by Dida, who scored four times, Flamengo defeated América 4-1 and became, for the second time in history, three-time state soccer champions.
Flamengo 1 x 0 Vasco – December 3, 1978: That day, a pact was made between the Flamengo players. A pact of victories that would begin a sensational run of titles, including the Campeonato Carioca, twice in 1979, and again in 1981, the year in which the team won the Copa Libertadores da América and the Interclub World Championship. Rondinelli's goal marked the beginning of the Zico Era.
Flamengo 5 x 1 Atlético-MG – April 6, 1979: April 6, 1979, remains vivid in the memories of Flamengo fans who attended the friendly match between the Red-Blacks and the Galo Mineiro at Maracanã. Around 140 fans flocked to the world's biggest stadium to watch the acclaimed King of Football, Pelé, play alongside the King of Gávea, Zico. It was a historic night, with the star striker Júlio César, who had shared a room with Pelé the previous night, standing out.
Flamengo 3 x 2 Atlético-MG – June 1, 1980: Flamengo was missing the Brazilian Championship title. In nine years of national championship, the team had consistently had poor campaigns. This led to the team being known, especially in São Paulo, as "a Maracanã team." And Nunes was one of the main reasons for the club's first national title. After much fighting and hard-fought in the final matches, in the Maracanã match, the Red-Black Nation made the difference; the team gave its all on the field, and walked away with the trophy for best team in Brazil—the Brazilian Championship trophy.
Flamengo 6 x 0 Botafogo – November 8, 1981: Revenge for Botafogo's 6-0 thrashing of Flamengo would come nine years later. With an added irony: on the other side was Jairzinho, one of those responsible for the humiliation of 1972, on Flamengo's birthday.
Flamengo 3 x 0 Santos – May 29, 1983: On May 29, 1983, Flamengo defeated Santos 3-0 at the Maracanã, a match that will forever hold the record attendance in the history of the Brazilian Championship, with over 155 fans. Flamengo had lost the first leg at the Morumbi Stadium 2-1 and needed to win at the Maracanã. Early in the match, Zico opened the scoring within one minute of the match, Leandro doubled the lead in the 1th minute, and in the 39th minute, Adílio sealed the deal, scoring the third goal, thus securing Flamengo's third Brazilian Championship title.
Flamengo 1 x 0 Internacional – December 13, 1987: For the second time, Flamengo faced a team from Rio Grande do Sul in the Brazilian Championship final. After a shaky start, Flamengo gained momentum in the knockout stage, dispatching favorite Atlético-MG, and advancing to the final. On that occasion, they faced Internacional and, with a goal from Bebeto, became three-time Brazilian soccer champions.
Flamengo 2 x 2 World Team – February 6, 1990: Zico's farewell match was no ordinary one. The game was split into two. The first 45 minutes were a tribute to the Flamengo team that conquered the world, from the team's formation to the white uniform worn during the Tokyo title. The 1981 team, led by Paulo César Carpeggiani, played without defenders Figueiredo, who died in an accident, and Mozer, who was unable to attend. On the other side was a combined lineup of world football stars. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.
Flamengo 3 x 0 Botafogo – July 12, 1992: In the first phase, Flamengo went six matches without a win, suffering four defeats in 35 days. "Massacre at Maracanã" was the sports headline in O Globo on March 30, summing up the 4-2 rout inflicted by Vasco the day before. But after adjustments by coach Carlinhos, combining players like Gottardo, Gaúcho, Zinho, and goalkeeper Gilmar with the talent of Júnior, who at 38 still dazzled with his football, the team began a comeback rarely seen before in the history of the Brazilian Championship. To the more experienced players were added the youth of Nélio, Paulo Nunes, Djalminha, and Marcelinho Carioca. On a roll, Flamengo defeated Botafogo in the first match, 3-0, practically securing their fifth title.
Flamengo 3 x 1 Vasco – May 13, 2001: For the third consecutive time, Flamengo and Vasco faced off in the final of the Campeonato Carioca in 2001. On both previous occasions, the team from Gávea won. And the third time was no different. Despite losing the first leg 2-1, the Rubro-Negro went all out against their Cruzmaltino rivals, and with a goal in the 43rd minute of the second half, they won the final 3-1 and claimed another state trophy.
Flamengo 1 x 0 Vasco – July 26, 2006: In the first leg of the final, Flamengo defeated their rivals 2-0. The next match would confirm the club's second consecutive title and make Vasco da Gama taste the bitter taste of second place for the fifth consecutive time. With a goal from full-back Juan, and a perfect olé, the Flamengo won 1-0, delighting the club's immense fan base across the country.
Flamengo 2 x 2 Botafogo – May 3, 2009: In a thrilling match, Flamengo defeated Botafogo on penalties to win their fifth consecutive Rio de Janeiro state championship. After a 2-2 draw in regulation time, Bruno was the hero of the title, saving two penalty kicks and securing the victory for the Clube da Gávea. Flamengo assumed the hegemony of the Rio de Janeiro State Championship, with 31 titles won.
Flamengo 2 x 1 Grêmio – December 6, 2010: It couldn't have been any other way. It had been a 17-year wait, and the Flamengo fans deserved a major victory. And it arrived last night. With goals from David and Ronaldo Angelim, Flamengo beat Grêmio 2-1, reaching 67 points and winning their sixth Brazilian title. A title that truly embodies Flamengo. Hard-fought, a comeback, and a packed Maracanã stadium. A true epic in red and black, with dramatic and suspenseful overtones, but, of course, a happy ending.