More than just the nickname "Chupeta" (Pacifier), Paulo Teixeira de Sampaio gained an identity and recognition as a player of Brazilian national team level at Riachuelo, Flamengo's opponent this Monday night (September 27.09th) in the State Basketball Championship. It was on the court of this club in Rio's north zone that he took his first steps and began to soar to greater heights in the sport, such as his first call-up to represent Brazil in 1975, under the command of Claudio Mortari. And all of this will return to the Flamengo coach's memory tonight when, on the other side, is the shield of the team that launched him onto the national stage, at 20:30 pm, at the Club Municipal Gymnasium.

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Having been absent from the Rio de Janeiro Men's Adult Basketball Championship for some time, Riachuelo is back in the competition, but still far from being the strong team it was back then. Flamengo, with a star-studded roster, is considered the favorite to win later today, but regardless of the results, Chupeta acknowledges that his heart will tremble when he faces his old club again.

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"I didn't think this match would happen, especially since Riachuelo hadn't been competing in the State Championship in recent years, but now it will, and I have no doubt it will be very different. Everything for me started there, from the pre-youth level. I grew up, reached the Brazilian national team when I played for Riachuelo, and to this day I have a great affection for the club. Regardless of the match result, I know it will stir my heart to see this team again," said the Flamengo coach.

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Besides facing his former club, Chupeta will also have another reunion this Monday night: with the Club Municipal gymnasium in Tijuca. It was there that Flamengo won four of its last five Rio de Janeiro state basketball titles – all under the coach's command. Including the first and unforgettable title in 2005, against the strong Telemar team.

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"The Municipal Arena is a lucky place for us, isn't it? It was there, in 2005, that the whole story of this group we have today began. That title against Telemar was a defining moment for me, and it was from there that we started to evolve until we assembled the excellent team we have, with two national titles and one South American title. Then, we beat Rio Pan in 2006 and won again in 2008 and 2009. It's a gymnasium where the fans always show up and that brings back great memories for all of us," he concluded.

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The nickname "Chupeta" - The coach earned the nickname "Chupeta" (Pacifier) ​​as a child because he was always seen with a pacifier in his mouth at his front door. Then a neighbor, Benedito, started calling him "Paulinho da Chupeta" (Little Paul of the Pacifier). When Chupeta went to play for Riachuelo, his neighbor Benedito showed up to do some work, and when he saw him on the court, he said, "Look, there's Paulinho da Chupeta playing!" With that, everyone present only heard "Paulinho" and "chupeta," and that's how the nickname stuck, remaining to this day.