Soccer

DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS? ROMÁRIO’S LAST GAME WITH THE FLAMENGO MANTO WAS IN CAXIAS DO SUL

In 1999, the star experienced the last act of his history at Mais Querido when he participated in a party with girls after defeat to Juventude

26 Jun 2024 | 08:14 |

This Wednesday (26) Flamengo returns to Caxias do Sul, in Rio Grande do Sul, to face Juventude in the Brasileirão. This confrontation doesn't happen that often in the history of the two teams and it's worth remembering one of them, 25 years ago.

It was in Caxias do Sul that the relationship between Romário and Flamengo came to an end. Younger people may not know, but Baixinho was fired from Rubro-Negro in November 1999, after a 3-1 defeat to Juventude, in the Brasileirão, followed by a visit to the famous Festa da Uva and partying in concentration. The incident marked the troubled end of his time at the Rio club.

Romário arrived at Flamengo in 1995, as the main attraction of the club's centenary. Voted best player in the world and responsible for Brazil's fourth world championship in 1994, Baixinho had the world at his feet and decided to don the Sacred Mantle and return to his beloved Rio de Janeiro. In total, there were 241 games and 204 goals scored. On the field, Shirt 11 did his job. And outside of that, he was the protagonist of a series of confusions.

Romário had three spells at Flamengo (1995/96 – 1997 – 1998/99). In the last one, he arrived from Valencia in January 1998 and stayed until the infamous game with Juventude, on November 10, 1999, for the Brasileirão. The biggest star of that generation and hero of the four, Baixinho didn't like to give satisfaction to anyone. And he rarely did. His attitude has always been one of independence and self-confidence, characteristics that both helped and harmed him.

After the 3-1 defeat at Alfredo Jaconi, in which he scored the red-black goal, Romário decided that he would visit the Grape Festival. He took with him full-backs Maurinho and Fábio Baiano and striker Leandro Machado. According to Maurinho's report, in 2023, everyone was free to leave, but some did not respect the time to return. The nighttime getaway ended up becoming one of the most controversial moments in Romário's career.

According to the former Flamengo full-back, the visit to the Festa da Uva did not yield any results. nothing more than a few hugs, smiles and posing for photos. Maurinho assured that nothing much happened that night, but other reports show that it was not quite like that. An article in IstoÉ magazine, on November 24, 1999, revealed that the case was much more serious. The reports at the time showed a scene of parties and excesses that went against the club's rules.

Upon returning to the Reynolds Hotel, the real party began. According to the IstoÉ report, six girls from the nightclubs Madrigal, in Porto Alegre, and Cassino, in Caxias do Sul, were taken to a “private event”. Around ten players from the squad participated in the party. In times before cell phones and social networks, the scandal exploded on the pages of newspapers and on television programs. The repercussion was immediate and negative, affecting the image of everyone involved.

Romário, as expected, did not deny that he participated in the party. Away from the group that stayed in Rio Grande do Sul to play a selective Copa Libertadores tournament, Baixinho arrived in Rio saying that he had left and that he would continue leaving. President Edmundo Santos Silva confirmed the decision to send the star away, unless Romário apologized, which he did not happen. Camisa 11 ended up signing with Vasco, where he stayed until 2002.

From the episode in Caxias do Sul, there was the famous photo with the Queen of the Grape Festival, Fabiana Koch, from Caxias, who graduated as a dentist and was at the center of a request for impeachment by the mayor of Caxias, Flávio Cassina, in 2020. Romário's dismissal from Flamengo marked the end of an era at the club and highlighted the complexities of managing a player with a strong personality and undeniable talent.

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Soccer

Rossi preaches focus on Flamengo despite dreaming of playing for the Argentine national team

The goalkeeper doesn't deny that reaching the current world champion is a goal, but says it's necessary to keep his head in his work at Mengão

Rossi doesn't deny his dream of wearing the Argentine national team shirt, but he urges focus on Flamengo - Photo: Adriano Fontes/Flamengo

16 Set 2025 | 22:00 |

In a press conference at Ninho do Urubu, goalkeeper Agustín Rossi spoke about his desire to be called up to the Argentina national team , the current world champion. Despite his dream, the goalkeeper made it clear that his priority remains Flamengo.

Rossi on his dream of joining the Argentine national team: "My job is for Flamengo"

"Obviously, I've always wanted to be called up. I think Brazilian football is very strong, not only in South America, but worldwide as well. In the last call-up, there were players from here. But I'm not thinking about that right now . I think that if I do my job well, that call-up could come," Rossi stated.

TOTAL FOCUS ON FLAMENGO

The Argentine stressed that he keeps his feet on the ground and that his main goal is to continue showing consistency for the Rubro-Negro , who have the best defense in the Brasileirão, conceding only 10 goals in 22 games. At Maracanã, the Mais Querido conceded only three goals.

"I'm in no rush, because my job is for Flamengo , day to day, game to game. My biggest focus is to maintain this streak so that the call-up can come. Of course I have that desire, but I don't treat it as a requirement . I'm Flamengo's goalkeeper, I'm responsible for Flamengo. If the call-up comes, I'll welcome it," he added.

INCOME AND TITLES WITH THE MANTLE

Since joining Flamengo in 2023, Rossi has already won four titles. Last season, he was a key player in the undefeated Carioca Championship and also played in the Copa do Brasil victory. In 2025, he maintained his starting spot in the Supercopa do Brasil and the Campeonato Estadual . In total, he has represented Flamengo in 125 official matches, establishing himself as a pillar of the team.

DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS? ROMÁRIO’S LAST GAME WITH THE FLAMENGO MANTO WAS IN CAXIAS DO SUL