Flamengo was founded not because of football, but because of rowing, a very popular sport in Brazil at the end of the 19th century. So popular that the Rio population gathered on Sundays to watch the rowing performances. Of course, in this context, the girls were there sighing for the strong and tanned rowers, usually athletes from Botafogo, a club already in operation in the city of Rio de Janeiro.
Aiming to win over women and, therefore, dissatisfied with the disadvantage they had in relation to rowers, some young people from Praia do Flamengo decided to found a new regatta club. Thus, in 1895, José Agostinho Pereira da Cunha, Mário Espíndola, Augusto de Figueira Lopes and Nestor de Barros got together to start the club project. It was decided that the first step would be the acquisition of a vessel that, due to the state it was in, needed a renovation to be used. In its first use, due to bad weather, the vessel overturned and had to be towed. As if that wasn't enough, it was stolen right away.
However, the young people did not give up and after getting more money to buy another vessel, a new meeting was held. On November 17, 1895, at Nestor de Barros' house, were: José Agostinho Pereira da Cunha, Mario Espínola, Napoleão Coelho de Oliveira, José Maria Leitão da Cunha, Eduardo Sardinha, Carlos Sardinha, Desidério Guimarães, Maurício Rodrigues Pereira, George Leuzinger, Augusto Lopes da Silveira, José Augusto Chauréu and João de Almeida Lustosa, who elected Domingos Marques de Azevedo as President, Francisco Lucci Colás as Vice-President, Nestor de Barros as Secretary and Felisberto Cardoso Laport as Treasurer. Furthermore, it was decided that the official foundation date would be November 15, in honor of the proclamation of the republic.
The first representative colors of the club, chosen by the founders, were blue and gold. However, as the fabrics were imported, it was difficult at the time to find the colors for the manufacture of uniforms. So it was decided to change the uniform to a horizontally striped shirt in black and white, black shorts and a white belt.
It was only in 1911 that football arrived at Flamengo. Even without having an adequate place for terrestrial training, Flamengo ended up joining football. That's because the Fluminense team had a disagreement with the club's board and ended up migrating to the tutorship of Flamengo. Thus, football stood out at the club and won many titles since then:
- International bonds:
- Interclub World Cup – 1981;
- Libertadores Cup of America – 1981;
- Mercosur Cup – 1999;
- South American Gold Cup – 1996.
- National Titles:
- Brazilian Championship – 1980, 1982, 1983, 1987*, 1992 and 2009.
- Copa do Brasil – 1990, 2006 and 2013.
- Champions Cup – 2001.
- State and Interstate Titles:
- Rio-São Paulo Tournament – 1961;
- World Champions Brazilian Clubs Cup – 1997;
- Campeonato Carioca – 1914, 1915 (undefeated) 1920 (undefeated), 1921, 1925, 1927,1939 1942 1943 1944, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1963, 1965, 1972, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1979, 1981, 1986, 199.1 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2014.
- Guanabara Cup – 1970, 1972, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1980,1981, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2014.
- Rio de Janeiro Cup – 1978, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2000, 2009 and 2011.
- Capital Championship – 1991;
- Rio de Janeiro State Cup – 1991;
- Extra Tournament in Rio de Janeiro – 1934;
- Rio de Janeiro Open Tournament – 1936;
- Lightning Tournament of Rio de Janeiro – 1943;
- People's Tournament – 1972.
The anthem of the Clube de Regatas Flamengo is well known. Still, it follows the lyrics so sung at Maracanã:
Anthem of Flamengo:
Once Flemish,
Always Flemish.
Flamengo always, I will be.
It's my greatest pleasure to see you shine,
Whether on land or at sea.
Win, Win, Win!
Once Flemish,
Flamengo until death!
In the race, he kills me,
It mistreats me, takes me away.
What a thrill in the heart!
Enshrined on the lawn;
Always loved;
The most popular in fla-flus is the 'ah, jesus!'
I would have a deep dislike,
If the world lacked Flemish.
It vibrates, it's fiber,
Many pounds have already weighed.
Flamengo to death I am!
By Paula Rondinelli
Brazil School Collaborator
Graduated in Physical Education from the São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP
Master in Motricity Sciences from the São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP
Doctoral Student in Integration of Latin America at the University of São Paulo - USP
*Officially, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) recognizes Sport Recife as the 1987 Brazilian champion
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/educacao-fisica/flamengo.htm
