Fluminense FC
Brazilian football team.
Fluminense Football Club, commonly known as Fluminense or simply Flu, is a professional football club based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Founded on July 21, 1902, Fluminense is one of the oldest and most traditional clubs in Brazilian football. The club's nickname is "Tricolor," referring to their iconic three-colored (maroon, green, and white) shirts. Fluminense plays its home games at the Maracanã Stadium, which has a capacity of 78,838 spectators, sharing the venue with their city rivals Flamengo.
Throughout its history, Fluminense has achieved significant success both domestically and internationally. The club has won the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (Brazilian national league) four times, in 1970, 1984, 2010, and 2012. They have also claimed the Copa do Brasil once, in 2007. At the state level, Fluminense has been a dominant force in the Campeonato Carioca (Rio de Janeiro State Championship), winning it 31 times, making them one of the most successful clubs in the competition's history.
On the international stage, Fluminense has also left its mark. The club won the Copa Rio Internacional in 1952, which is considered by some as a precursor to the Intercontinental Cup. More recently, Fluminense reached the final of the Copa Libertadores in 2008, narrowly missing out on South America's most prestigious club trophy.
Fluminense's most celebrated periods came in the early 1970s and the 2000s. In the 1970s, led by players like Rivelino and Dirceu, the club won its first national title. The 2000s and early 2010s saw a resurgence for Fluminense, with multiple league titles and strong performances in continental competitions. The club has produced numerous legendary players throughout its history, including Telê Santana, Castilho, Assis, and more recently, Fred, who became one of the club's all-time top scorers.
Fluminense's biggest rivalry is with Flamengo, another major club from Rio de Janeiro. Their matches, known as the Fla-Flu derby, are among the most intense and widely followed derbies in Brazilian football. The club also maintains strong rivalries with other Rio de Janeiro teams, Vasco da Gama and Botafogo.