Rio de Janeiro is historically one of the most traditional cradles of Brazilian football. A large part of the achievements of our country’s clubs is divided among the teams from the state. As known, Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafogo, and Vasco are the teams that have always stood out on the national and international stage.
In recent years, however, it is Flamengo that has been leading in terms of the number of titles won. From 2019 onwards, the Rubro-Negro has been the champion of the Copa Libertadores twice, the Brazilian Championship, the Copa do Brasil, and also clinched the state championship three times in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
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Flu’s Unprecedented Title
The Tricolor Carioca has had two great seasons, winning the Campeonato Carioca in 2022 and 2023. Furthermore, under the guidance of coach Fernando Diniz, Fluminense secured an unprecedented title last season: the Copa Libertadores. In the final held at Maracanã, the team defeated Boca Juniors 2-1.
The team also won the 2024 Recopa.
Important Histories
Despite not having major achievements in recent years, Vasco and Botafogo are also very important for Rio de Janeiro and Brazilian football. It is worth noting that Botafogo is one of the clubs that has provided the most players for the Brazilian National Team in history.
Major Clubs in Rio de Janeiro
Flamengo
- Intercontinental Cup – 1981
- Copa Libertadores – 1981, 2019, and 2022 (undefeated)
- Copa Mercosur – 1999
- Copa Ouro – 1996 (undefeated)
- Recopa Sudamericana – 2020
- Brazilian Championship (8 titles) – 1980, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1992, 2009, 2019, and 2020
- Copa do Brasil – 1990 (undefeated), 2006, 2013, and 2022
- Supercopa do Brasil – 2020 and 2021
- Rio-São Paulo Tournament – 1940 and 1961
- Copa dos Campeões Regionais – 2001
- Copa dos Campeões Mundiais – 1997 (undefeated)
- Torneio do Povo – 1972
- Campeonato Carioca (37 titles)
Fluminense
- Four-time Brazilian Champion – 1970, 1984, 2010, and 2012
- Copa do Brasil – 2007
- Rio/São Paulo Tournament – 1940, 1957, and 1960
- Primeira Liga Cup – 2016
- 33 Campeonato Carioca titles
- Copa Libertadores – 2023
Vasco
- 1 Copa Libertadores – 1998
- 1 South American Champions’ Cup – 1948
- 1 Copa Mercosur – 2000
- 4 Brazilian Championships – 1974, 1989, 1997, and 2000
- 1 Brazilian Serie B Championship – 2009
- 1 Copa do Brasil – 2011
- 24 Campeonato Carioca titles
Botafogo
- 1 Copa Conmebol – 1993
- 2 Brazilian Championships – 1968 and 1995
- 2 Brazilian Serie B Championships – 2015 and 2021
- 21 Campeonato Carioca titles
- 4 Rio-São Paulo Tournaments – 1962, 1964, 1966, and 1998
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
Binge the episodes available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel. Stay tuned for upcoming releases as we keep telling this legend’s life story.
