_{Corrected. Nunes was born in Feira de Santana (BA), not in Aracaju (SE) as previously published.}

 The classic between Flamengo and Atlético Mineiro, next Sunday at Mineirão Stadium, is crucial for both teams' hopes in the 2009 Brasileirão. The match is a direct clash for a spot in the top four and even the title race. However, 4 years ago, the two teams already faced off in a Brazilian Championship final. The competition was still played in a knockout format, and in 29, Flamengo won its first national title against Atlético Mineiro.

As remembering is living, on the eve of another important match against Galo, Flamengo's Official Website recalls this memorable match that marked the beginning of the most successful decade in the history of Flamengo's football. Flamengo was still missing the Brazilian Championship title. In nine years of national championship, Flamengo had consistently had poor campaigns. This led to the team being known, especially in São Paulo, as "a team from Maracanã." Little did they know that, in 1980, the team from Gávea was beginning its journey to the top of the Americas and the world.

With the arrival of Nunes, a Fluminense talent who had been trained in Flamengo's youth system, to replace Cláudio Adão, the team overcame its opponents until reaching the final, a two-legged match against Atlético Mineiro, led by Reinaldo, Toninho Cerezo, and Éder. Nunes himself was one of the key figures in Clube de Regatas do Flamengo's first national title. After much fighting and intense competition in the final matches, in the Maracanã match, the Nação Rubro-Negra made the difference, the team gave its all on the field, and walked away with the trophy for best team in Brazil—the Brazilian champion's trophy. But it wasn't easy.

The first leg of the final, at Mineirão Stadium, was marked by violence. Flamengo played without Zico, who was injured, and Éder fractured Rondinelli's jaw in a tackle. Rondinelli fell unconscious, his eyes rolling back in his head. He came to, got to his feet, and, even though he wasn't sure where he was, said he would continue playing (and then fainted again). He was substituted, and his teammates spent the rest of the match fearing for his life. Atlético won 1-0 and would play for a draw in Rio.

In the final, at the Maracanã stadium, in front of 164 fans, the Atlético fans' violence and mischief were of no avail. Flamengo had Zico back, and Nunes, who would begin his consecration as the top scorer in major finals. The first half, a brutal affair, ended with Flamengo leading 2-1. In the locker room, Coutinho read a letter to the team: it was from Rondinelli, written in the hospital, with his jaw held together by wires and screws. The "God of Race" demanded the title: "Let's go for it, teammates!"

As if indebted to Rondinelli, Flamengo came out swinging in the second half. Reinaldo, a great player from Minas Gerais who could barely walk with a strain, still managed to equalize for Atlético. But Nunes, who had already scored the first goal, went all out and scored the third, the title-winning goal, in a play he will never forget.

"I have very fond memories of that game. It was Flamengo's first national title, with a packed Maracanã stadium; it's impossible not to remember it. It's always an honor to be remembered for deciding such an important match for Flamengo. Everyone recognizes me as Atlético's tormentor, because every time I played against them, everything went well," he said in an exclusive interview with Flamengo's official website. 

"I am the story." This was how Nunes humorously summed up his history with Atlético Mineiro. One of his favorite victims, but also one of the clubs where he enjoyed the most success, becoming the all-time top scorer at Mineirão. The striker is part of Flamengo's most successful generation, which between 1980 and 1983 won three Brazilian Championships, the Copa Libertadores, and the Interclub World Cup. He certainly didn't possess the same technique and skill as his teammates, but his grit and opportunism also made him another idol among Flamengo fans. He earned the nickname "The Ultimate Scorer" due to his impressive propensity for scoring goals in championship finals. 

Born in Feira de Santana, Bahia, Nunes moved to Rio de Janeiro in 1970. That same year, he joined Flamengo's youth academy. He spent five years in the club's youth ranks, but when he came of age, he was dismissed by club officials, who didn't see any potential in him. He ended up traveling the world before returning to Gávea in 1980 to fulfill his longtime dream of wearing the Flamengo jersey as a professional. 

His most notable victims were Atlético-MG, Liverpool, and Grêmio, who respectively lost to Flamengo in the 1980 Brazilian Championship, the Interclub World Cup, and the 1982 Brazilian Championship, all thanks to Nunes' goals in the finals. Now, the former player hopes Adriano and company can live up to Flamengo's tradition of always beating Galo in decisive matches and secure three more points, even playing in a packed Mineirão stadium.

"I hope this next game goes smoothly, both on and off the field. I'm sure it will be an excellent match, and I hope Flamengo comes out with a strong attitude, seizes their opportunities, and isn't afraid of any kind of pressure at Mineirão. Atlético's fans are huge, they're beautiful, but that can't happen. Flamengo is Flamengo anywhere and has every chance of coming out with a win. You always need confidence and character. The first goal we set was to reach the top four; we got there. Now we need to stay in the top four until the final round and, then, focus on the title. But it's possible," said Nunes, who sees Adriano as a good chance of becoming Flamengo's new decisive goalscorer.

"Adriano is a kid who was raised in the club's youth academy, ended up leaving early, but came back to succeed, realized his dream of being back and now he just has to continue the work. I hope he uses his head, he had head, and uses his talent to help Flamengo. He's a great player, who makes the defense tremble when he's in the box, like I used to do," he added.