The shirts are not just a symbol of the team, but they also carry the history of the club. For every Flamengo supporter, the Flamengo shirt has become a cultural symbol. From the original design to modern models, the Flamengo shirt has always evolved with the club's history.
Next, we will take a look at the five most iconic shirts in Flamengo's history and their stories.
Origin of the Flamengo Shirt
The first Flamengo shirt was launched in 1895. Initially, the shirt was blue and yellow, symbolizing the Guanabara Bay and Brazil's natural wealth. However, due to the fragility of imported fabrics, which faded easily under Brazil's sun and humidity, the club opted for a combination of red and black, which became the symbol of Flamengo, representing strength and glory.
The Classic 1912 Shirt – "Papagaio Vintém"
In 1912, due to the rowers' demand not to wear the same uniform as the soccer players, Flamengo created a new shirt: the red and black striped shirt, which became known as “Papagaio Vintém.” This name was inspired by a shirt similar to a kite, which cost only a coin of one vintém, becoming an icon among both players and fans.
In 1995, to celebrate the club's centenary, this classic shirt “Papagaio Vintém” was relaunched, becoming a symbol of true fans, marking an important milestone in the history of the Flamengo shirt.
Flamengo Shirt in the 1981 Copa
In 1981, Flamengo wore this shirt to win the Copa Libertadores and establish itself as one of the greatest teams of the 1980s. By defeating Liverpool, the shirt became a symbol of the club's historic glory. Centauro launched a special edition in honor of the championship team, featuring the signature of the iconic player Zico, who was a key figure in the victory.
First Flamengo Shirt with Sponsorship
In April 1984, Flamengo made history by becoming the first club in Brazil to place a sponsor on the front of its shirt. Before this, no Brazilian club shirt had a printed sponsor. Flamengo partnered with the state-owned company Petrobras, and the brand Lubrax was the first to appear on the uniform. This partnership continued until 2009.
Up until the 2023 season, the Flamengo shirt has had nine sponsors, including Adidas, Mercado Livre and BRB.
Flamengo Shirt in 2011 – The Rubro-Negro Classic
The match between Flamengo and Santos in the 2011 Brazilian Championship, although just a round of the regular phase, is widely regarded as one of the most classic matches of the 21st century. It was not just a clash between Flamengo and Santos, but also a showdown between two global football stars: Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Neymar. During the game, Ronaldinho shone with an impressive hat-trick, and Flamengo won by 5 to 4 in one of the most thrilling matches in history.
- The shirt worn in that match had the logo of Olympikus (sports material supplier), and on the sleeves and inside the numbers, there were logos of sponsors such as BMG and TIM. That shirt not only symbolized the historic match but also became an icon in the memory of Flamengo fans.
Flamengo Champion Shirt of 2019
For Flamengo, the year of 2019 was a milestone of rebirth and victory. After a period of reorganization, Flamengo showed its strength in various competitions, winning important titles such as the Campeonato Carioca, the Campeonato Brasileiro, and, most importantly, the Copa Libertadores da América. The shirt worn that year became one of the most representative in the club's history, symbolizing the glory and victory of Flamengo.
- Today, this shirt continues to be a symbol of conquest for many fans and is a collector's item for many. On the e-commerce site Netshoes, the champion shirts from 2019 remain highly sought after by fans, with prices starting at 169.00 reais.
