Bap moved to tears recalling Flamengo’s struggles, shares a lesson | OneFootball

Flamengo President, Bap, Highlighted the Club's Dry Spell Period

The Flamengo fan between 30 and 40 years old got used to watching the team fight against relegation and celebrating a title just for qualifying for the Libertadores. During a ceremony at the Legislative Chamber of the Federal District, this Wednesday (12th), the red-black president Luiz Eduardo Baptista even cried in Brasília as he recalled the ‘dark times’.

— So, what made me get involved with Flamengo was a combination of passion and indignation. I was always calculating to avoid relegation. We celebrated when we survived the drop. The fans sang ‘Libertadores, any day we'll see you around’. And when I see today that year after year we are there competing, it fills me with pride —, Bap began.

WHAT LESSON DID THE FLAMENGO PRESIDENT LEAVE?

If the Flamengo that fought to avoid relegation no longer exists, today, the club is heading to its fourth Libertadores final in six years. Thus, the turnaround serves, in Bap's view, as an inspiration for any segment of society, even outside of football.

— Pass this message on to your children. No matter what your situation is. If you get indignant, if you work hard, you will overcome it. So today I am the president of Flamengo, but I am not really, it is Flamengo, like each one of you —, said Bap.

HOW IS FLAMENGO WITH BAP?

President of Flamengo since 2025, Bap had his first experience at the club with the management of Eduardo Bandeira de Mello, in 2013, the year the financial restructuring of the Rubro-Negro began. However, now as the leader, Luiz Eduardo Baptista has already won two titles: the Supercopa do Brasil and the Campeonato Carioca.

Now, Bap hopes to have reasons to cry tears of joy with the competitions of the Brasileirão and the Libertadores. The Flamengo shares the lead in the national championship and is in the final of the continental tournament, both with Palmeiras as the main rival.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.