Based in Rio de Janeiro, Flamengo is the most popular team in Brazil, with an estimated 35 million fans. The club was formed in November 1895, originally as a rowing club, but began to play football in 1911 when a group of unhappy Fluminense players broke away wanting to form a new team.
The club’s best period of success came in the 1980s. The won the Brasileirão four times, as well as the Copa Libertadores once. In 1981, they hammered the great Liverpool side, managed by Bob Paisley, 3-0 in Tokyo. They also won the Rio State Championship in 1981 and 1986.
While the 90s did not see as many trophies, Flamengo still achieved some notable triumphs, winning the Copa do Brasil in 1990 and the Brasileirão again in 1992. They won two competitions which have since been discontinued, the Copa de Oro in 1996 and the Copa Mercosur in 1999, and were undefeated in winning the 1996 Rio State Championship.
Flamengo’s greatest recent success was winning the top division for the sixth time in 2009. It added to a Copa do Brasil win in 2006, and since the turn of the Millennium the club has won its State Championship seven times out of twelve. In 2007, they were second bottom at the half way stage of the Serie A, but ultimately finished third in the table.
There have been some famous names in the history of the club. Perhaps the biggest is Zico, who played for the Seleção 72 times and is often referred to as the best player never to win the World Cup. They have also fielded at one time or another Leonidas, top scorer at the 1938 World Cup, Mario Zagallo, Bebeto and Romario.
The most famous player at the club these days is undoubtedly Ronaldinho. The former Barcelona and AC Milan star helped Flamengo to win the 2011 Campeonato Carioca and scoring the only goal in the final of the Taça Guanabara. With his skills and ability, Flamengo will hope to return to the top this season.
