Coluna do Fla
·8 September 2025
Ex-Flamengo star Rafinha lifts lid on 2019, hails squad's strength

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Yahoo sportsColuna do Fla
·8 September 2025
The Flamengo of Jorge Jesus in 2019 still generates discussions behind the scenes and in sports programs due to the overwhelming way the team played. The former right-back Rafinha mentioned the strength of the group and highlighted that the team would enter the field already knowing they would win.
— There was no match for the Flamengo of 2019. We would enter the field knowing we would win. Everything we trained, we applied in the games. And it didn't go wrong. Our team was very well-aligned, we were dominating — started Rafinha.
“It was very enjoyable. I enjoyed that time a lot. I took advantage of it. I enjoyed that moment a lot, a lot, a lot. I know this doesn't happen all the time”, said the former Flamengo right-back in an interview with ‘ESPN Brasil’.
The Flamengo of 2019 was marked in the history of Brazilian and South American football. First, the red-black team was the champion of the Brasileirão with a record number of points, achieving 90. Additionally, the team led by Jorge Jesus scored 86 goals in the tournament.
Finally, Flamengo also won the Copa Libertadores, a feat that hadn't occurred since 1981, in the Zico era. The red-black team surpassed River Plate (ARG) at the Monumental Stadium in Lima, Peru, by 2-1, with two goals from the forward Gabigol. Thus, Mengão became two-time champions.
Now, Flamengo is in pursuit of the same titles from 2019. This is because the red-black team is leading the Brazilian Championship, with one game less. Additionally, the Most Beloved is in the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores, where they will face Estudiantes (ARG).
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.