The First Golden Age under Zizinho (1930s-40s)
Professionalism, Leônidas, Domingos da Guia and Zizinho made Flamengo the country's most popular club.
Flamengo's football team turned professional after its last amateur match in May 1933. Under president José Bastos Padilha (1934–1937) the club grew hugely popular across Brazil, signing Domingos da Guia and Leônidas da Silva in 1936; Leônidas was top scorer at the 1938 World Cup as a Flamengo player.
Quick Facts
- Key figures
- José Bastos Padilha
- Leônidas da Silva
- Domingos da Guia
- Zizinho
- Dori Kürschner
- State title drought ended
- 1939
Lore & Background
In 1937 the club hired the Hungarian coach Izidor "Dori" Kürschner, who brought the WM system to Brazil, and the Estádio da Gávea opened on 4 September 1938. In 1939, after twelve years without a title, Flamengo won the state championship with a team that became the basis of the three-time state champions of the 1940s.
Reader's Guide
In 1942 Flamengo fans founded Charanga Rubro-Negra, the first organised supporters' group in Brazil.
Zizinho, developed at the club, was the key player of the 1940s side and is considered Flamengo's first idol. Success in the war years with Zizinho and Domingos da Guia, together with radio broadcasts reaching the North and Northeast, spread support for the club nationwide.
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