Flamengo fans took over central Rio on Sunday morning (30), braving the sun and sweltering heat as they waited for the electric trio that would bring in the champions’ Libertadores players.
Before 9 a.m. (Brasilia time), Primero de Marco Street was already packed, with reds and blacks singing the national anthem and songs from the stands as they tried to secure a spot to see the actors. There are fans in marquees, hanging in windows, and huddled on sidewalks and corners, looking for a unique view.
On Saturday (29), the team became the first Brazilian team to win the continental championship title four times, with a 1-0 victory over Palmeiras, scored by Danilo, at the Monumental de Lima Stadium in Peru.
The temperature was expected to reach a maximum of 34 degrees Celsius, and it was already very hot late in the morning. However, excitement remains high, with flags raised, families gathering and groups of friends celebrating as if the team were just meters away.
The red and black delegation disembarked at 9:38 a.m. at Galeão International Airport, after departing from Lima, Peru, shortly after midnight. The players will travel on an executive bus towards the center, where they will board the electric trio that will carry the fourth Libertadores trophy.
The planned route is approximately 850 meters long, starting from the Primeiro de Marco, on Buenos Aires Avenue, to the area adjacent to Araujo Porto Alegre Avenue, also passing through President Antonio Carlos Avenue.
Three sound towers have been installed along the route, and the trio will stop on Avenida Almirante Barroso to greet fans. According to the city council, the number of people is expected to reach about 500,000 people.
Mayor Eduardo Paes made a plea on social media for fans to leave marquees and other buildings free while waiting for the players. “Dear Flamengo fans, get off the marquees and other structures that were not built to support this weight. Celebrate responsibly,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The municipal public order secretary, Markus Belchior, also boosted demand on site, using an electric triple sound system. He advised the public to leave the marquees and search for safe areas, warning of the risk of accidents due to large crowds and high temperatures.
Since five in the morning, roads in the area have been closed. Primeiro de Março was closed between Avenida Presidente Vargas and Rua da Assembleia, while President Antonio Carlos closed all lanes up to Avenida Beira-Mar. Parking has been banned since Saturday night (29), and CET-Rio plans to open the roads at 4 p.m.
The monitoring takes place at Rio City Hall’s operations center, in Ciudad Nova, where 50 operators monitor images from about a hundred cameras and two drones to direct traffic and public movements.