This week, the great Flamengo fan Célio Cotecchia left us. He was the club's doctor between 1963 and 1985. He was part of the Flamengo delegation for major victories such as the Copa Libertadores and the Club World Cup in 1981. 

In 2012, during the Brazilian Championship match against São Paulo, Célio led the Flamengo delegation and gave an interview to the official website. He shared a bit about his time at Flamengo.  

"It all started in 1963, when I was still a medical student and was invited to work with Flamengo's rowing team. Soon, I began working as a soccer doctor and never left," he said. 

Mengão was playing in the Taça Brasil in Fortaleza. The Flamengo doctor, who was unable to travel at the time, said coach Flávio Costa wanted to travel with the "new doctor." It was the beginning of a relationship with Flamengo that would last over 60 years.

"It was the first game after Evaristo arrived, having just come from Spain. And Nelsinho, our midfielder, broke his leg in that game. I had to take Nelsinho to the hospital; it was a rush," said Cotecchia. 

The orthopedist, physiatrist and sports medicine specialist also fondly remembered winning the 1981 Libertadores:

- I worked at Flamengo from 1963 to 1985. That Flamengo team was spectacular! The games against Cobreloa, Lico and Adílio injured after being cowardly attacked in the first leg of the final, the victory... wow, it was all very memorable. It truly was a spectacular squad.

Célio Cotecchia left Flamengo's medical department in 1985, but he didn't abandon the club. He became a regular at Gávea as a member. He treated many Flamengo athletes in his practice and became a benefactor. 

Thank you for all your dedication to the club, Célio Cotecchia. Rest in peace.

Subscribers to the FlaTV+ and Globoplay combo can watch the program "Lendas Rubro-Negras" with Célio Cotecchia and learn more about his story by clicking here.