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Born on September 1, 1936, in Rio de Janeiro, Apolinho was always passionate about football
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This Wednesday (15), Brazil lost one of its biggest names in broadcasting: Washington Rodrigues, known affectionately as Apolinho. At the age of 87, the renowned communicator, commentator and presenter of Super Rádio Tupi, passed away at Hospital Samaritano, in Barra da Tijuca, West Zone of Rio de Janeiro, where he was receiving treatment for cancer.
Born on the 1st September 1936, in Rio de Janeiro, Apolinho was always passionate about football. From a young age, he revealed his love for sport, organizing school trips to watch games at the recently opened Maracanã.
While working as a banker, he found time to play indoor football and, as an amateur, sent bulletins about the sport to Rádio Guanabara, which would later hire him.
The nickname Apolinho was given by Celso Garcia, in reference to the equipment used by the astronauts of the Apollo 11 mission, and was soon adopted by everyone.
In the year of its centenary, in 1995, in the midst of a moment of crisis, Flamengo, with then president Kleber Leite, invited Apolinho to take over technical command and tame the attack formed by Sávio Romário and Edmundo. p>
On that occasion, he was runner-up in the Libertadores Super Cup. Three years later, he returned to the club in the role of technical director. Washington often referred to the episode as a “convocation.” Months later he would definitively return to the microphones at Super Rádio Tupi.
Washington Rodrigues leaves an admirable legacy, in addition to three children, seven grandchildren and a legion of fans and co-workers who considered him a true legend of the sports communication.
The club has a big difference in work
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The Sinergia Rubro-Negra Group (SRN), made up of influential partners from Flamengo, held a meeting last Saturday (7), at the club's headquarters, located in Gávea. The main objective of the meeting was to promote fraternization among the participants, but, inevitably, club politics ended up dominating the discussions throughout the event.
The main topic that emerged during the meeting was the support of the SRN to Rodrigo Dunshee's candidacy for president of Flamengo. Dunshee, who currently holds the position of general and legal vice-president of the club, is a prominent figure in the red-black political scene. The group, made up of members who share an aligned vision regarding the club's management, sees in Dunshee a name prepared to take over Flamengo's leadership, especially considering the upcoming electoral cycle.
During the event, members of the SRN highlighted Dunshee's role in the current administration, remembering that he was a fundamental player in several legal achievements of the Flamengo in recent years. The group believes that his experience and proximity to the club's internal processes make him the ideal candidate to succeed current president Rodolfo Landim, whose tenure ends at the end of his term.
Although the initial objective of the meeting was a celebration between the partners, it was inevitable that the conversations turned to Flamengo's political future. The club's presidential elections are approaching, and political groups are already beginning to articulate support and strategies. The SRN, being a strong group within the red-black political structure, has stood out for its organization and capacity to mobilize members.
Those present discussed, among other topics, the possible implications of a possible Dunshee's candidacy. His name has been circulating among members for some time, but now, with the explicit support of the SRN, his candidacy is gaining strength. The members highlighted that Dunshee is a name of continuity, someone who is already part of the current management and deeply knows the challenges and needs of the club. This, in the group's view, represents a positive point, as Dunshee could continue the projects started under the Landim administration.
The club has been in a race against time
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Flamengo continues to debate whether to look for a replacement for Pedro, a striker who is recovering from an injury. The decision is complex, involving several variables ranging from the financial cost to the availability of players on the market. One of the main points under discussion is the high cost of a possible replacement. The club is aware that signing a center forward may require a significant investment, something that needs to be carefully evaluated within the team's current budget.
In addition, Flamengofaces the challenge of downtime of players available on the market. Many of the center forwards who are free for transfer come from long periods without playing, with recent injuries or prolonged absence from the field. This situation represents a risk, as the integration of a player who is not in the rhythm of the game may take longer and be less effective initially.
The club is also considering the limited number of viable options on the market. The scarcity of attackers who meet the criteria required by Flamengo – both in terms of quality and physical readiness – is a factor that further complicates the search for a suitable replacement.
In this scenario, the management of Flamengo assesses whether signing a new player is the best solution or whether there are viable alternatives to deal with Pedro's absence, such as adjusting the tactical formation or promoting youth players. The final decision is still being studied, and the club needs to carefully consider all aspects before making a decision.
'He watched the first half, heard the third goal and gave his last calm and serene breath', said Patrícia during the journalist's wake
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Veiled at Flamengo's headquarters, journalist Washington Rodrigues died precisely while supporting the club. A self-confessed red-black, the 87-year-old sports commentator was fighting liver cancer. Last Wednesday night, he was watching the game between the team and Bolívar-BOL, for the Copa Libertadores. The Rio team won 4-0. P>
According to his daughter, Patrícia, Apolinho followed the match until the team's third goal, scored by Everton Cebolinha. He died afterwards. - He watched the first half, heard the third goal and gave his last calm and serene breath - said Patrícia during her father's wake.
Apolinho's death came to the attention of those present at Maracanã during the second half of the match. The 4-0 victory made the night end with a huge celebration in the stands. Flamengo took the opportunity to remember, on its social networks, that the term "chocolate" to refer to goals was created precisely by the journalist.
- It was a beautiful party at Maracanã, with all the lights on. I think it made him happier in heaven. He died happy with Flamengo - added Patrícia.
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