On the morning of this Tuesday (4), the Official Launch event of the 130th Anniversary Celebrations of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo was held in Gávea. The immortal of the Brazilian Academy of Letters Ruy Castro was the special guest and not only recalled moments of the red-black history, but also revealed his unrestricted passion for the club. 

The Director of Communication and Brand, Flávia da Justa, presented the schedule that began with the launch of the Pherusa jersey on the 28th, launched today the Manifesto of the "The Magnetic Way of Being" Campaign, and ends on the 20th of this month with the launch of the Black Diamonds Line. The 15th, the anniversary date, will have two major events: the inauguration of the artistic intervention on the Gávea wall and the premiere of the web series "Being Flamengo" on FlamengoTV.

Ruy Castro has been a writer for 35 years, a journalist for 58, and a Flamengo fan for over 70. Author of around 50 books, he has won an Esso Literature Prize, the Machado de Assis Prize from the Brazilian Academy of Letters, and eight Jabuti Prizes, but the title he is truly proud of is that of Honorary Member of Flamengo.

The writer drew laughter from the audience when he spoke with Desirre Santos, manager of Historical Heritage at Flamengo, and recalled the first game he saw at the Maracanã, at age 10. “It was a Flamengo vs. Botafogo match in the second round of the 1958 Carioca Championship. I sat behind the goal and saw Garrincha dribble past Jordan, Jadir, and Pavão; I was the only one left to defend. I always blamed myself for not having done anything. I left defeated, but it didn't diminish my Flamengo passion at all,” Ruy recounted. 

He was the first to call the Nation the "Greatest Fanbase in the World," and when asked about his favorite game, he didn't hesitate and cited the victory over Vasco in the 1978 Carioca Championship. According to Ruy, the entire Maracanã knew that Rondinelli would score the legendary header that would cement his nickname, "God of the Race."

The writer highlighted the achievements of other State titles, such as the three-peat championships of 1942/43/45 and 1953/54/55, and gave a history lesson. In closing, Ruy recalled the craziest thing he ever did for Flamengo. It was the first leg of the 1984 Libertadores Cup, Flamengo vs. Grêmio, played at Pacaembu Stadium. Since there were no more tickets available, Ruy and a friend jumped over a three-meter wall. "I felt it was my duty, after all, I had to see Flamengo," he concluded.