André Savastano


Nelson Rodrigues, the great Brazilian playwright and a supporter of Fluminense, once said "Everyone is born Flamengo, some deteriorate". The late writer, even though a fan of Flamengo's great rivals Fluminense, knew how to define the Vultures in a way few did and do. Rodrigues also said, "For anyone the shirt is as good as tie. Not for Flamengo. For Red and Black fans the shirt is everything".

The playwright lived to see Flamengo lift the Brazilian title just once, in 1980. Rodrigues wasn't alive to witness the titles that followed, or the Copa Libertadores triumph in 1981, or the Club World Cup victory. But certainly the Rio de Janeiro resident had an idea those days would some day come for Flamengo. He understood intimately the value of the club and its importance for Brazilian football as a whole. Indeed, Rodrigues stated, "Flamengo is a force of nature. When Flamengo sneezes, it is Brazilian football which catches a cold."

What Rodrigues could not have predicted however was that Flamengo would have to wait 17 years between their last title, in 1992, and the manic scenes which greeting their victory in this year's Serie A. Even more unrealistic in the playwright's mind would be that the club would battle against relegation for a number of seasons, even, in 2005, needing to win all their last seven league games to survive. It happened. And they did.

Roared on by the Maracanã crowd, with a red-hot atmosphere, and 35 million fans across Brazil, Flamengo found even this was not enough to stop their slide. A lack of leadership off the pitch and a poorly run club all led to a slurry of recent disappointments as the Vultures struggled to fight their way back into the Brazilian elite.

In 2004 Flamengo lost out in the final of the Copa do Brasil. Their conquerors? Small second division side Santo Andre. In 2007 the club started strongly, surging towards the top of the league table. But then they wilted, and a third placed finish, even though an achievement after the previous years of struggle, was a disappointment. 2008 seemed better. Again the club challenged for the title, until a 3-0 defeat to Atletico-MG shook them to the core. They never recovered. In the Copa Liberatdores more bad news was just around the corner. After outplaying Mexican's Club America on their home patch, leaving with a 4-2 win, hopes were high that Flamengo would progress in the competition. But what awaited the fans was a shock 3-0 home reverse, and continental dreams had to be shelved for another season.

2009 has been different. Flamengo learnt the lessons of previous campaigns, of previous failures, and produced the perfect season. It is true that the team began badly, but over the course of the league season they grew in stature. Once sitting in 11th place, Flamengo timed their run to perfection, hitting top spot in the 37th round of a 38 game championship as Sao Paulo lost to Goias and the Red and Blacks defeated Ronaldo's Corinthians. Nelson Rodrigues would, were he alive, surely write something poetic about it. As Goias were taking the wind out of Sao Paulo's sails, and the crowd celebrated with the score relayed over Corinthians' speaker system, Flamengo took the lead through Ze Roberto, eventually winning 2-0.

Going into their final match, the destiny of the title was still undecided. Besides Flamengo another three clubs (Internacional, Sao Paulo, Palmerias) all went into that final weekend with a chance of winning this year's Serie A. The Red and Blacks faced Gremio at home though, knowing a win was enough. In the week leading to the game a raft of pundits and critics declared that Gremio would not treat the game seriously, as their fierce rivals Internacional were also fighting for the title. But despite missing a number of key players Gremio took the lead, threatening to derail Flamengo's dreams and silencing the 84,000 capacity Maracanã crowd. But just as quickly as they had conceded, Mengo bounced back, scoring through David, and the crowd breathed slightly easier.

In the dressing room at half-time, coach Andrade laid into his team. Understandably the 52-year-old was not satisfied with the performance. Andrade told the players that should they continue as they were, then the title would not be returning to Flamengo. His pep-talk had the desired effect. In the second-half Mengo were a changed side, and even without hitting top gear were able to impose themselves on the game. The crucial strike came in the 73rd minute and Flamengo were heading for the title. Yet even as the minutes of injury-time ticked down, and Ronaldo Angelim began to realise he had scored the goal which would win the title, the crowd celebrated in a shy fashion, almost afraid to anger the football gods by cheering a title not yet officially won. Then the final whistle blew, and the crowd exploded. The Vultures were champions once again.

There were many heroes in the title triumph, chief amongst them the infamous Adriano, top scorer in the Brasileirão and now looking a thoroughly happy figure in Brazil amongst friends and family: All a far cry from his misery in Milan. Also worthy of a mention is Serbian Dejan Petkovic – undoubtedly at 37 enjoying his swansong – who saw his return to the club opposed by some members of Flamengo's board who felt it was simply a move to eliminate debt owed to the player from a previous spell. At the back Alvaro and the Chilean Claudio Maldonado – freshly returned from Fenerbahce – were rocks, organising the backline and leaving Petkovic free to start attack after attack without fear. Equally as important though was the base built at the club by Jorge Luis Andrade, better known simply as Andrade. Steeped in the history of the club, after winning four titles at Flamengo as a player, Andrade knew what winning the Serie A title meant to the club, and he duly delivered.

So after 17 years of league famine Flamengo are once again the champions of Brazil. For a club which means so much to so many in Brazil, 2009 will not be forgotten and will live long in the memory. The question now is, will this be the start of a new golden age for the club from Rio de Janiero? Over 80,000 fans that packed the Maracanã to see new champions crowned will hope so.

  Related Articles: