If football is religion in Brazil, then Flamengo is its loudest church.
With over 45 million fans, Flamengo isn’t just a club—it’s a mass movement, a pop culture powerhouse, and sometimes, a circus of controversy. From presidents being booed mid-game to fans rioting in celebration (yes, celebration), everything about Flamengo is larger than life.
🔴 Who Are They?
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Full Name: Clube de Regatas do Flamengo
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Founded: 1895 (originally a rowing club!)
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Stadium: Maracanã (shared with Fluminense)
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Fan Base: Largest in Brazil—and one of the biggest globally
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Colors: Red and Black (and lots of passion)
😲 Weird & Wild Flamengo Facts
1. Started as a Rowing Club
Yup. Flamengo wasn’t even a football club until 1911. It began as a rowing team—because football wasn’t “macho” enough for Rio’s elite at the time.
2. Fans Celebrate by Breaking Things
Flamengo fans once set off fireworks INSIDE the stadium during a title win and ripped off seats to take home as souvenirs.
3. Owns the Maracanã (Sort of)
Flamengo co-hosts the iconic Maracanã Stadium, one of the largest in the world and the site of Brazil's most heartbreaking and glorious football moments.
4. Rivalries Are Ruthless
The Flamengo vs. Fluminense derby is called the Fla–Flu, and it's so historic that Brazilian newspapers prepare headlines even before kickoff, expecting chaos, fights, and record-shattering goals.
5. Signed Players via Fan Poll
In 2012, Flamengo let fans vote online on who the club should sign. The internet chose a third-choice goalkeeper... who ended up winning them matches.
🌎 Flamengo's Global Explosion
Thanks to social media, Flamengo’s fan base is going international. The club has:
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TikTok dances going viral
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Collabs with Nike and Adidas
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Gaming and Esports divisions
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A YouTube channel with more views than some European clubs
They’re also in talks to build a Flamengo-themed amusement park near Rio 👀
📉 Not All Carnival
Flamengo also has a drama per day reputation:
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Presidents being ousted
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Managers being fired after winning trophies
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Fans demanding changes via Twitter hashtags… during matches!
In 2020, Flamengo changed managers four times in a single season—and still won a title.
🤯 What's Weird
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Brazil’s most loved (and hated) team
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Football club that started with boats
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Home to both saints and scandals
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Celebrated so hard they damaged their own stadium
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The only team where chaos = normal
