CR Flamengo facts for kids
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| Full name | Clube de Regatas do Flamengo | |||
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| Nickname(s) | Rubro-Negro (Scarlet and Black) Mengão (Big Mengo) Malvadão (The Evil One) Urubu (Vulture) O Mais Querido (The Most Beloved) |
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| Founded | 17 November 1895 (rowing club) 24 December 1911 (football department) |
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| Stadium | Maracanã | |||
| Stadium capacity |
78,838 | |||
| Stadium coordinates |
22°54′44″S 43°13′49″W / 22.91222°S 43.23028°W | |||
| President | Luiz Eduardo Baptista | |||
| Head coach | Filipe Luís | |||
| League | Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Campeonato Carioca |
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| 2024 2025 |
Série A, 3rd of 20 Carioca, 1st of 12 |
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Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, often just called Flamengo, is a famous Brazilian sports club. It's located in Rio de Janeiro and is super well-known for its amazing football team! Flamengo started way back in 1895 as a rowing club. It was named after the Flamengo neighborhood.
Flamengo is one of the most popular football clubs in Brazil. It has over 46 million fans! That's a huge number of people who love this team. The club has never been moved down from Brazil's top football league, which is a big achievement.
The team's colors are red and black stripes, with white shorts and red and black socks. They usually play their home games at the famous Maracanã Stadium. Since 1969, their fun mascot has been the vulture, called Urubu in Portuguese.
Flamengo is also a very successful club financially. It's one of the richest and most valuable football clubs in Brazil. Many talented players have come from Flamengo's youth academy, like Zico, Vinícius Júnior, and Lucas Paquetá. These players have even played for the Brazilian national team in big tournaments like the FIFA World Cup. For example, Leônidas da Silva and Zizinho, who played for Flamengo, won top awards at the World Cups in 1938 and 1950!
Contents
- Club History: Flamengo's Journey
- Team Image and Identity
- Home Stadiums
- Club Rivalries
- Players
- Club Honours
- Club Records
- Other Sports at Flamengo
- See also
Club History: Flamengo's Journey
How Flamengo Started (1895–1912)
Flamengo began on November 17, 1895. A group of friends who loved rowing met at Nestor de Barros's house. They wanted to create a rowing club on Flamengo Beach in Rio de Janeiro. Rowing was a very popular sport back then.
Their first boat, named Pherusa, had some bad luck. It almost sank in strong winds and was later stolen! But the group didn't give up. They saved money and bought a new boat called Scyra.
On that special night in November, they officially formed the Grupo de Regatas do Flamengo. This name later changed to Clube de Regatas do Flamengo. They even decided to celebrate the club's birthday on November 15, a national holiday in Brazil.
The football team joined later. In 1911, some players left another club, Fluminense, after a disagreement. They decided to join Flamengo because one of their captains was already a Flamengo rower. So, on December 24, 1911, Flamengo officially started its football department!
Early Football Days (1912–1933)
Flamengo's new football team trained near the beach. Locals loved watching them practice! Their first official game was on May 3, 1912. They won by a huge score of 16–2 against Mangueira. This is still their biggest win ever!
Later that year, they played their first match against Fluminense. This game started the famous Fla-Flu rivalry. Fluminense won that first match 3–2. Flamengo finished second in the Campeonato Carioca (Rio de Janeiro State Championship) that year.
In 1914, Flamengo won their first Campeonato Carioca title! They wore a special red, black, and white striped shirt. They won again in 1915, becoming champions two years in a row. They repeated this success in 1920 and 1921.
By 1927, Flamengo was already very popular. A newspaper contest asked people to vote for "the most beloved club in Brazil." Flamengo won, earning the nickname "O mais querido do Brasil" (the most beloved of Brazil). In 1933, the team traveled outside Brazil for the first time. After this, Flamengo's football team became professional.
Becoming Professional (1934–1955)
José Bastos Padilha became the club president in 1934. He helped Flamengo become even more popular across Brazil. He even held a contest for students to create phrases about Flamengo. This led to the famous phrase: "Uma vez Flamengo, Flamengo até morrer" ("Once you are Flamengo, you are Flamengo 'til you die").
In 1936, Flamengo signed amazing players like Domingos da Guia and Leônidas da Silva. Leônidas was the top scorer in the 1938 FIFA World Cup while playing for Flamengo! These players made Flamengo a favorite team for many.
During World War II, Flamengo's popularity grew even more. Radio broadcasts of their successful matches reached many parts of Brazil. From 1942 to 1944, Flamengo won the Rio de Janeiro state championship three times in a row! This was their first tricampeonato Carioca. A key player then was Zizinho, who became a club legend. From 1953 to 1955, Flamengo won the state league three more times!
Zico and the World Champions (1974–1983)
The years from 1978 to 1983 were Flamengo's "Golden Age." With superstar Zico leading the way, Flamengo won the state championship three times in a row. They also won their first Brazilian Championship in 1980.
This national title allowed them to play in the 1981 Copa Libertadores, a big South American tournament. Flamengo reached the final against Cobreloa from Chile. After three exciting matches, Flamengo won and became champions of South America!
This victory meant Flamengo qualified for the Intercontinental Cup in Tokyo. On December 13, 1981, Flamengo faced the European champions, Liverpool F.C.. With amazing play from Zico, Flamengo won 3–0! They became the first Brazilian World Champions since Pelé's Santos.
Flamengo continued their success, winning another state championship in 1981. They also won two more Brazilian Championships in 1982 and 1983.
National Success and Zico's Return (1984–1994)
After playing in Italy, Zico returned to Flamengo in 1986. He helped the team win another state championship. In 1987, Zico was a big part of Flamengo winning the first Copa União. This was a special national tournament.
Zico scored 508 goals for Flamengo during his career, making him the club's all-time top scorer! He retired in 1990.
Even without Zico, Flamengo continued to win. They won the Copa do Brasil in 1990. In 1992, Flamengo won their fifth Campeonato Brasileiro title. Veteran player Júnior, at 38 years old, was a key player in this victory.
Challenges and Comebacks (1995–2005)
After their 1992 national title, Flamengo faced some financial difficulties. They still won some important trophies, like the 1996 Copa de Oro, their first international title since 1981.
In 1999, Flamengo won the 1999 Copa Mercosur and the state championship. They won the state championship again in 2000 and 2001, achieving their fourth tricampeonato (three consecutive titles).
However, the club struggled in the national league during these years. They narrowly avoided being moved down to a lower division in 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005. They also reached the Copa do Brasil finals in 2003 and 2004 but didn't win.
Ending the Title Drought (2006–2018)
In 2006, Flamengo finally won the Copa do Brasil for the third time, beating their rivals Vasco da Gama in the final. From 2007 to 2009, Flamengo won the Campeonato Carioca three times in a row, setting a new record for state titles!
In 2009, Flamengo won the national league title again, for the first time since 1992! This was their fifth league championship. The team won after a dramatic comeback victory in the final game.
The years from 2010 to 2015 were a bit tough in the national league. But in 2013, Flamengo won the Copa do Brasil again, their fourth time! They beat Atlético Paranaense in the final.
In 2018, Flamengo had a strong season in the national league, finishing second. Young players from Flamengo's youth academy, like Vinícius Júnior and Lucas Paquetá, were transferred to big European clubs, showing the quality of Flamengo's training.
New Glory (2019–Present)
A Sad Event and a Triumphant Season (2019)
On February 8, 2019, a very sad event happened at Flamengo's training center, the Ninho do Urubu. A fire broke out, and ten young academy players, aged 14 to 17, tragically passed away. Three others were injured. The club and its fans remember these "Garotos do Ninho" (Nest Boys) with special tributes during home games.
Despite this tragedy, the 2019 season became the most successful in the club's football history. Flamengo signed new talented players like Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Bruno Henrique, and Gabriel Barbosa.
Under Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, Flamengo reached the Copa Libertadores final for the first time since 1981. In a thrilling match in Peru, Gabriel Barbosa scored two late goals to win the title!
Less than a day later, Flamengo also became champions of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A! This meant they won the state championship, the Brazilian league, and the Copa Libertadores all in one amazing season. They were only the second Brazilian club to achieve this, after Pelé's Santos team in 1962. Flamengo broke many records that year, including most points and most goals scored.
Flamengo also played in the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar. They reached the final but lost a close game to Liverpool.
Continued Success (2020–2021)
In 2020, Flamengo continued their winning streak. They won the 2020 Supercopa do Brasil, the 2020 Recopa Sudamericana, and the 2020 Campeonato Carioca. Coach Jorge Jesus then left the club.
Later in 2020, under coach Rogério Ceni, Flamengo won their second consecutive Campeonato Brasileiro championship! In 2021, they won their third consecutive Campeonato Carioca. They also reached the Copa Libertadores Final again but lost in extra time.
More Trophies (2022–Present)
In 2022, under coach Dorival Júnior, Flamengo had another glorious year. They won the Copa do Brasil for the fourth time! Later that month, on October 29, 2022, Flamengo won the Copa Libertadores final against Athletico Paranaense. Gabriel Barbosa scored the winning goal, giving Flamengo their third Copa Libertadores title!
In 2023, Flamengo finished third in the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup. They also reached the 2023 Recopa Sudamericana final and the 2023 Copa do Brasil final, but finished as runners-up in both.
In 2024, Flamengo won the 2024 Campeonato Carioca and their fifth Copa do Brasil title! And in 2025, they won the 2025 Campeonato Carioca and their fourth Copa Libertadores title!
Team Image and Identity
Club Crest
Flamengo's crest has changed a little over the years. The main part is a special design of the letters "CRF" (Clube de Regatas do Flamengo). The football team usually wears this "CRF" monogram on their shirts.
For a while, the club added white stars above the crest to show their state championship wins. Since 2005, they use only a gold star above the "CRF" monogram to celebrate their World Championship win.
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Team Uniforms
When Flamengo first started in 1895, their colors were blue and gold. But they didn't win much, and the colors were expensive. So, a year later, they changed to the red and black colors we know today!
The football team's first uniform in 1912 had red and black quarters, nicknamed "papagaio de vintém" (kite). But it was thought to bring bad luck. In 1913, they switched to red and black horizontal stripes with thin white bands, called "cobra coral" (coral snake).
By 1916, the white bands were removed, and the classic red and black striped shirt with white shorts and red-black socks became the team's traditional look. In 1938, Flamengo also started using a white secondary uniform for better visibility during night games.
          Traditional primary uniform
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 Traditional secondary uniform
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     2015 "papagaio de vintém" kit
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  2010 blue and gold alternative kit
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The Scarlet-Black Nation: Flamengo Fans
Flamengo has the most fans in Brazil, with over 40 million supporters! They are known as Nação Rubro-Negra, which means "Scarlet-Black Nation." You can find Flamengo fans in every state across the country.
The first organized fan group in Brazil, Charanga Rubro-Negra, started for Flamengo in 1942. Many other fan groups have formed since then, like Torcida Jovem-Fla and Raça Rubro-Negra.
In 2007, Flamengo supporters were even recognized as part of Rio de Janeiro's cultural heritage! Flamengo games at the Maracanã Stadium have seen huge crowds. The biggest ever was in 1963, with over 194,000 spectators for a game against Fluminense!
Flamengo's YouTube channel, FLATV, is also very popular. It has over 5 million subscribers, making it one of the most followed football channels in the world.
The Vulture Mascot
Flamengo's first mascot was Popeye the Sailor Man in the 1940s. But he wasn't very popular with the fans.
In the 1960s, rival fans started calling Flamengo supporters urubus (vultures) in a negative way. But Flamengo fans turned this around! On May 31, 1969, a fan brought a real vulture to a game against Botafogo. The vulture landed on the field with a Flamengo flag, and the crowd cheered, "É urubu, é urubu!" (It's a vulture!). Flamengo won that game, and the vulture became their official mascot, a symbol of pride.
In 2000, the mascot got an official design and a name, Samuca. But fans still mostly call him Urubu. Since 2008, a person dressed as the Urubu mascot often appears at Flamengo games and events.
Club Anthems
Flamengo has two anthems. The official one, "Hymno Rubro-Negro", was created in 1920. Its chorus means: "Flamengo! Flamengo! Your glory is to fight, Flamengo! Flamengo! Champion of land and sea."
The more popular anthem, written by Lamartine Babo, was recorded in 1945. Its famous line, "Uma vez Flamengo, sempre Flamengo" (Once you are Flamengo, always Flamengo), is sung by fans everywhere.
Home Stadiums
Rua Paysandu Stadium
Flamengo's first official home field was the Estádio da Rua Paysandu. They played their home games there from 1915 to 1932. Before that, and for a few years after, they played at other clubs' stadiums.
Estádio da Gávea
Flamengo's official home stadium is the Estádio da Gávea. It opened on September 4, 1938, and can hold 4,000 people. It's named after José Bastos Padilha, a former club president.
Today, Flamengo's main team doesn't play matches here. It's mostly used for youth and women's team games and as a training ground. The club's main offices are also located here.
Maracanã Stadium
The Maracanã Stadium is the most famous stadium in Rio de Janeiro. It was built for the 1950 FIFA World Cup. Flamengo and the other big Rio clubs often play their home games here.
The Maracanã has seen some of the largest crowds in football history. In 1963, over 194,000 people watched a game between Flamengo and Fluminense! Flamengo legend Zico scored 333 goals in this stadium, a record that still stands.
The stadium has been renovated several times, including for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. Flamengo and Fluminense now work together to manage the stadium.
Ilha do Urubu
In 2017, Flamengo used the Estádio Luso Brasileiro as their home field. Fans nicknamed it Ilha do Urubu ("Vulture's Island"). The stadium was updated to hold 20,500 fans. Flamengo played there for a while but later returned to the Maracanã.
New Stadium Plans
In December 2024, Flamengo shared plans for a brand new stadium! It will hold 80,000 people and be built in the Gasômetro area. This modern stadium is expected to be the largest in Brazil. It will have special seating for passionate fans, luxury areas, and huge LED screens. It is planned to be finished by November 2029.
Club Rivalries
Rivalry with Botafogo
The games between Flamengo and Botafogo are called the Clássico da Rivalidade (Rivalry Classic). This rivalry started in 1913. Flamengo's vulture mascot became popular during a game against Botafogo in 1969. Fans released a vulture onto the field, turning a rival's insult into a symbol of pride.
Rivalry with Fluminense
The Fla-Flu is a super famous derby between Flamengo and Fluminense. It's also known as the Clássico das Multidões (Derby of the Crowds). This rivalry began in 1911 when some players left Fluminense to join Flamengo's new football team.
The first Fla-Flu game was on July 7, 1912, and Fluminense won 3–2. Over time, Flamengo became known as the team for many people across Brazil, while Fluminense was linked to a wealthier class in Rio.
The Fla-Flu holds the world record for attendance in a club game: 194,603 spectators watched them play at the Maracanã in 1963! Flamengo and Fluminense are the most successful teams in the state championship. Since 2012, the Fla-Flu has been recognized as an important cultural heritage of Rio de Janeiro.
Rivalry with Vasco da Gama
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The Clássico dos Milhões (Derby of Millions) is the rivalry between Flamengo and Vasco da Gama. It's one of the biggest rivalries in Brazilian football. The name comes from the fact that both clubs have huge fan bases in Rio de Janeiro.
From the 1970s to the early 2000s, this was Flamengo's most important rivalry. Legends like Zico for Flamengo and Roberto Dinamite for Vasco often faced each other in thrilling matches. Many great players have played for both teams over the years.
Interstate Rivalry with Atlético Mineiro
Flamengo also has a strong rivalry with Atlético Mineiro from Minas Gerais. This rivalry grew in the 1980s due to many exciting and sometimes controversial games in national and continental tournaments.
Players
First-team squad
Flamengo's first team has many talented players. They work hard to win titles for the club.
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Other players under contract
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Youth players with first team numbers
Flamengo's youth academy is famous for developing future stars. Many young players dream of playing for the first team.
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Players on Loan
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Retired Numbers
- 12 – Club Supporters (the 12th Man) – This number is dedicated to the amazing rubro-negro fans, who are like the team's 12th player!
Club Honours
Official Tournaments
| Worldwide | ||
|---|---|---|
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| Intercontinental Cup | 1 | 1981 |
| Continental | ||
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| Copa Libertadores | 4 | 1981, 2019, 2022, 2025 |
| Recopa Sudamericana | 1 | 2020 |
| Copa Mercosur | 1s | 1999 |
| Copa de Oro | 1s | 1996 |
| National | ||
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| Campeonato Brasileiro Série A | 7 | 1980, 1982, 1983, 1992, 2009, 2019, 2020 |
| Copa União | 1 | 1987 |
| Copa do Brasil | 5 | 1990, 2006, 2013, 2022, 2024 |
| Supercopa do Brasil | 3 | 2020, 2021, 2025 |
| Copa dos Campeões | 1s | 2001 |
| Inter-state | ||
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| Torneio Rio–São Paulo | 1 | 1961(1) |
| State | ||
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| Campeonato Carioca | 39 | 1914, 1915, 1920, 1921, 1925, 1927, 1939, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1963, 1965, 1972, 1974, 1978, 1979 (Special), 1979, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024, 2025 |
| Copa Rio | 1 | 1991 |
- record
- s shared record
(1) In 1940, the competition was stopped. Flamengo and Fluminense were leading, and clubs and newspapers at the time considered them joint champions. The club still counts this title as one of its achievements.
Youth Team Honours
- U20 Intercontinental Cup (2): 2024, 2025
- U-20 Copa Libertadores (2): 2024, 2025
- Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-20 (2): 2019, 2023
- Supercopa do Brasil Sub-20 (1): 2019
- Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-17 (2): 2019, 2021
- Copa do Brasil Sub-17 (2): 2018, 2021
- Supercopa do Brasil Sub-17 (1): 2021
- Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior (4): 1990, 2011, 2016, 2018
- Taça Belo Horizonte de Juniores (3): 1986, 2003, 2007
- Copa Macaé de Juvenis (2): 1999, 2006
- Copa Votorantim Sub-15 (2): 2015, 2017
Awards
- IFFHS The World's Club Team of the Year: 2022
Club Records
Flamengo has consistently had high attendance at its home games. For example, in 2019, the average attendance for league matches at the Maracanã was over 59,000 fans! In 2023 and 2024, it was still over 54,000 fans per game.
Other Sports at Flamengo
Flamengo is a multi-sports club, meaning it has teams in many different sports!
Men's Basketball
Flamengo's basketball team is very successful. They have won six Brazilian Championships and a record 44 Rio de Janeiro State Championships! They also won the FIBA Americas League in 2014.
In 2014, Flamengo won the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, becoming world champions in basketball! They are one of the few clubs, along with Real Madrid and Barcelona, to win Intercontinental Cups in both football and basketball. They won the Intercontinental Cup again in 2022.
Women's Football
Flamengo's women's football team was re-established in 2015. They quickly became champions, winning the state championship every year from 2015 to 2019. In 2016, they also won the Campeonato Brasileiro de Futebol Feminino, the national league title! They won the state championship again in 2021, 2023, and 2024.
Women's Basketball
Flamengo's women's basketball team also has a rich history. They won back-to-back Brazilian championships in 1954 and 1955, and again in 1964 and 1965. In 1966, they won the Inter-club Basketball World Championship!
Rowing
Rowing is where Flamengo started! It was the club's very first sport in 1895. They won their first title in 1900. Flamengo's rowing teams have won many state and national titles over the years, including 45 Carioca state titles.
Water Polo
Water polo is Flamengo's second oldest sport. The team played its first game in 1913. Flamengo's water polo team won nine consecutive Rio de Janeiro championships from 1985 to 1993! They also won the South American Club Championship in 1985. A women's water polo team was started in 1987 and also won championships.
American Football
In 2013, Flamengo started an American football team, partnering with the Rio de Janeiro Emperors. They compete in the BFA (Brasil Futebol Americano) league.
Tennis
Flamengo began playing tennis championships in 1916. They won three Rio championships soon after. The club's most famous tennis player is Thomas Koch.
E-sports
In 2017, Flamengo entered the world of e-sports! They started with a League of Legends team and later a PES team. They even have a special "gaming office" in São Paulo for their League of Legends team.
Other Sports Departments
- Artistic gymnastics
- Auto racing (Flamengo Superleague Formula team)
- Beach soccer
- Bocce
- CP football
- Futsal
- Indoor soccer
- Judo
- Swimming
- Synchronized swimming
- Volleyball
See also
In Spanish: Clube de Regatas do Flamengo para niños
- CR Flamengo (women)
- CR Flamengo (youth)
- Flamengo Basketball
- Clube de Regatas do Flamengo (beach soccer)
- CR Flamengo (Superleague Formula team)
- Flamengo Esports
- Clássico dos Milhões
- Fla-Flu
- Flamengo–Atlético Mineiro rivalry
- List of world champion football clubs
