Celso Barros, ex-Fluminense sponsor, dies aged 73 | OneFootball

Doctor Celso Corrêa de Barros, former president of Unimed Rio and one of the most influential figures in the modern history of Fluminense, passed away this Saturday at the age of 73, a victim of a sudden heart attack. Barros was a pre-candidate for the club's presidency in the election scheduled for November 29 and was preparing to officially announce his candidacy this very afternoon.

According to reports, the doctor felt unwell during his granddaughter's First Communion mass. He was to head to Laranjeiras after the ceremony to register his candidacy for the 2026–2028 term.

Career in Medicine and National Projection

A pediatrician by training, Celso Barros built a distinguished career before gaining visibility in football. He was director of the Rio de Janeiro Medical Union, a councilor of CREMERJ, and director of the Brazilian Medical Association, holding significant positions in the health sector over decades.

The Leader Who Changed Fluminense's Recent History

The relationship between Barros and Fluminense began in 1999 when he took over the presidency of Unimed Rio and structured the partnership that would mark an era in Brazilian football. With the cooperative's sponsorship on the tricolor jersey, the club rose from Série C to reclaim the national spotlight.

During the 15-year partnership, Fluminense won the Copa do Brasil in 2007, the Brazilian Championships in 2010 and 2012, as well as the Carioca titles in 2002, 2005, and 2012. The period was also marked by the presence of great names in world football, hired thanks to the company's financial support, such as Romário, Edmundo, Fred, Deco, and Conca.

Despite the titles, the partnership also faced turbulent times, such as the dramatic fight against relegation in 2009. In 2014, Unimed's financial crisis ended the relationship in a troubled manner, but it did not keep Barros away from the club's political life.

Celso Barros was a partner of Fluminense in the 2012 Brazilian title (Photo: Divulgação/Photocamera)

Political Role in the Club and Return to the Electoral Race

Five years after the end of the partnership, Celso Barros returned to a central role in Laranjeiras by being elected vice-president general on Mário Bittencourt's ticket in 2019. However, the relationship deteriorated at the beginning of the administration, and Barros became one of the main voices of the opposition.

A pre-candidate with the “Flu é dos Tricolores” ticket, he sought to consolidate his candidacy this Saturday (the final deadline for the official registration of tickets). With his death, the other pre-candidates, Mattheus Montenegro and Ademar Arrais, announced the suspension of their campaign agendas in respect for the leader.

Mourning at Fluminense and Tributes

Fluminense declared official mourning and made the Laranjeiras Noble Hall available for the wake, which will be held this Sunday, from 9 am (Brasília time) to 12 pm. In an official note, the club highlighted Celso Barros's importance to its history:

Fluminense Football Club expresses deep sorrow over the passing of the great tricolor Celso Barros. A figure of great significance in the club's history, Celso played a pivotal role as president of the team's sponsor, which won titles of national relevance, such as the Copa do Brasil in 2007 and the Brazilian Championships in 2010 and 2012, as well as the runner-up position in the 2008 Copa Libertadores.

Passionate from the start, the pediatrician lived intensely the discussion about the club's future. He remained active in Fluminense's politics and was, at this moment, a pre-candidate for the Presidency for the next term. Fluminense stands in solidarity at this moment of sadness with his family, friends, and all the tricolors who admired him over the years.

The club declares official mourning for his passing and makes the Laranjeiras Noble Hall available to his family for the wake and due tributes.

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