After six years and many stories, Flamengo fans return to Lima and conquer the Peruvian capital

• Libertadores final: In the arms of the fans, Flamengo arrives at the hotel where he will stay in Lima
• In Lima, Flamengo fans walk to the hotel where the delegation will stay

Upon entering the facility, you may find the club’s shield on the menu and an attendant wearing a uniform with the name Arrascaeta on the back. The final match six years ago is being re-broadcast on television with samba and other Brazilian rhythms in the background, completing the perfect and meaningful package for Flamengo fans.

— In 2019, we were surprised by the number of Flamengo fans and how they took over our house. We knew many would be back this year. As a form of support, all employees wore uniforms, says manager Mario, who prepared the menu especially for the occasion.

– Different athletes and teams always come here, but Flamengo has something special. We welcome them with interest, and play the music they want. There is a lot of affection from every Peruvian towards them – adds Vanessa, the site manager, who says that the people of Palmeiras are also welcome, but the red blacks are the favourite.

Six years ago, Flamengo arrived in the Peruvian capital carrying many historical debts, the most important of which was the 38-year drought broken by Gabigol’s two goals in a 2-1 win over River Plate. This time, a dispute with the current top national contender for the position of the competition’s first four-time Brazilian champion is at stake.

The main resonance of Flamengo in Lima is undoubtedly the presence of the fans who have arrived since the beginning of the week and made the shirts appear in different parts of the city. Yesterday, a group repeated the organization of a march that also took place six years ago, towards the hotel where the delegation stayed at night, after embracing them at Aeroflax Airport in Rio de Janeiro.

It also has the charm of finding establishments and vendors that take advantage of the unique occasion of the final to attract football tourists. It is still surprising to find a flag bearing the words “Race, Love and Passion” in any Peruvian home, or to find a dog owned by a Brazilian woman who could not get a ticket, but who dressed it as her character.

The Monumental Stadium remains quiet in the middle of the desert, not only because it is far from the boiling point in Lima, but also because it is still receiving final preparations.

The truth is that since coming to Lima in 2019, Flamengo has changed its levels within South American football. The fourth final in seven seasons is considered the culmination of a period in which the club entered the Libertadores Stadium 77 times, achieving 48 wins, 16 draws and 13 defeats, with an overall success rate of 69.3%.

Shirt number 10 and captain, Arrascaeta is part of a select group searching for a third continental trophy. He is the player with the most appearances (63 out of 77, 59 as a starter), minutes on the field (4,809) and assists (17). With a difference of ten goals, Gabigol (30), Pedro (24) and Bruno Henrique (19) are behind him and ahead of Everton Ribeiro (9) in the list of top five scorers.

Flamengo faced 30 opponents in these seven editions of the Libertadores, coming from the ten countries that make up the South American confederation. Argentina was the most visited country, with seven different opponents and 19 matches. Next is Ecuador, with five teams in 16 matches, with Racing and LDU the most frequent opponents, with six matches each. Five Brazilian clubs were responsible for 10 matches, completing the top three positions in the main destinations.

There are also favorite rivals: Barcelona de Guayaquil was defeated in all four meetings.

Against Paraguay’s Olympia, Flamengo has its third-best record (75%), but the single defeat was enough to eliminate it from the 2023 tournament in the round of 16, ending the champion’s journey at that time prematurely.