Fans recall great moments at Maraca
Founders of organized fan clubs share their memories at the Biggest in the World
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
As soon as the referee blew the final whistle for yesterday's match, in Flamengo's goalless draw against Santos, Flamengo fans of the old and new generations entered a mood of nostalgia and longing, with the announcement of the closure of Maracanã for renovations, due to the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.
Founders of organized fan clubs (some of which have already dissolved) were interviewed by Flamengo's official website, before the ball rolled, and left their testimonies about the great memories and good times at the "Biggest in the World":
João Carlos, 53 years old, businessman ("The Jackal", one of the founders of Torcida Jovem do Flamengo) - "In 1969, I founded Torcida Jovem do Flamengo with other friends, and since then, we have made Maracanã our second home. I have participated in great parties and unforgettable games at this stadium. As there are many great moments, I will mention two that are special to me: Nunes' decisive goal in the 1980 title, against Atlético-MG, in 1980, and the game in which we returned the 6-0 defeat to Botafogo, in 1981. I made a point of taking my four children and my wife to this last game before its closure."
José Márcio, 61 years old, retired civil servant ("O Reco", one of the founders of the now-defunct Torcida Flamante) - "Before founding Flamante, with Carlos Travassos ("Carlinhos Maluco" - in the denim jacket in the photo), Zucarelli, Pedro Paulo Bebian and Ricardo Mussi, I was a member of the Poder Jovem fan club in 1967 (later becoming Torcida Jovem in 69). Maracanã is a historical temple that provided me with experiences that will remain etched in my memory forever. Rondinelli's header in the state championship final against Vasco in 1978, Leandro's stunning goal in the equalizer against Fluminense in the triangular match in 1985, and Zico's return to Flamengo in 1986 in a 4-1 rout of the Tricolores, are my favorites."
Marcelo Gonçalves, 33 years old, accounting analyst (one of the founders of Torcida Urubuzada) - "With the founding of Urubuzada in 2006, the responsibility of bringing all the energy from the stands onto the field increased even more. I'll miss Maracanã deeply. I'll hope time flies, so we can return to our celebrations and have the joy of seeing Flamengo play there. I'll have countless memories of the games. Mengão's titles, the victories over their rivals, the fans' celebrations, the victories when no one expected them... But certainly the 1992 Brasileirão, winning the Hexa last year, and Pet's goal in 2001 will always remain in our memories. Not to mention the greatest goal scored by Flamengo fans, which was the largest mosaic in the world, in the match against Goiás in 2009."
Founders of organized fan clubs (some of which have already dissolved) were interviewed by Flamengo's official website, before the ball rolled, and left their testimonies about the great memories and good times at the "Biggest in the World":
João Carlos, 53 years old, businessman ("The Jackal", one of the founders of Torcida Jovem do Flamengo) - "In 1969, I founded Torcida Jovem do Flamengo with other friends, and since then, we have made Maracanã our second home. I have participated in great parties and unforgettable games at this stadium. As there are many great moments, I will mention two that are special to me: Nunes' decisive goal in the 1980 title, against Atlético-MG, in 1980, and the game in which we returned the 6-0 defeat to Botafogo, in 1981. I made a point of taking my four children and my wife to this last game before its closure."
José Márcio, 61 years old, retired civil servant ("O Reco", one of the founders of the now-defunct Torcida Flamante) - "Before founding Flamante, with Carlos Travassos ("Carlinhos Maluco" - in the denim jacket in the photo), Zucarelli, Pedro Paulo Bebian and Ricardo Mussi, I was a member of the Poder Jovem fan club in 1967 (later becoming Torcida Jovem in 69). Maracanã is a historical temple that provided me with experiences that will remain etched in my memory forever. Rondinelli's header in the state championship final against Vasco in 1978, Leandro's stunning goal in the equalizer against Fluminense in the triangular match in 1985, and Zico's return to Flamengo in 1986 in a 4-1 rout of the Tricolores, are my favorites."
Marcelo Gonçalves, 33 years old, accounting analyst (one of the founders of Torcida Urubuzada) - "With the founding of Urubuzada in 2006, the responsibility of bringing all the energy from the stands onto the field increased even more. I'll miss Maracanã deeply. I'll hope time flies, so we can return to our celebrations and have the joy of seeing Flamengo play there. I'll have countless memories of the games. Mengão's titles, the victories over their rivals, the fans' celebrations, the victories when no one expected them... But certainly the 1992 Brasileirão, winning the Hexa last year, and Pet's goal in 2001 will always remain in our memories. Not to mention the greatest goal scored by Flamengo fans, which was the largest mosaic in the world, in the match against Goiás in 2009."
Follow Flamengo's official Twitter profile
\Check out the photo gallery on Flamengo's Official Website
\Check out the audio gallery on Flamengo's Official Website