Flamengo's Historic Auction honours Arrascaeta and Bruno Henrique, unites legends across generations and raises R$2.2 million for legacy initiatives

The Maracanã, home to countless triumphs, hosted an evening unlike any other on Friday, October 30. Rather than a ball in play, passion for Flamengo took centre stage at the Historic Auction, a charity fundraiser that raised R$2.2 million and brought together approximately 500 guests in a celebration marked by tributes, solidarity and deeply moving moments.

The Maracanã Mais venue was transformed into an elegant hall, complete with a red carpet, bespoke décor and dinner catered by Casa Aquim. Among the guests were the evening's honourees, Arrascaeta and Bruno Henrique, alongside squad-mates Alex Sandro, Andrew, Joaquim Freitas, Rossi and Varela, and football director José Boto. Legends from other eras also attended, including Andrade, Júlio César, Petkovic and Raul Plassmann.

Photo: Gilvan de Souza/CRF

The Historic Auction marks the flagship initiative of Nação Legado, a platform created by Flamengo to celebrate the club's history, honour its idols and invest in the next generation of Rubro-Negro supporters.

During the event, club president Luiz Eduardo Baptista, known as Bap, underscored the importance of the initiative and thanked all participants for their commitment.

"The greatness of Flamengo is measured by its history, its titles and its achievements, but we cannot forget the people who built all of this. We must recognise and support the players who have worn this shirt and today face difficulties, honour those who continue to write our history, and invest in those beginning their journey at the club. We also have a social responsibility, which translates into projects like Jogaremos Juntos, present in eight communities across Rio de Janeiro, transforming children's lives through sport. Thank you to everyone here tonight supporting these causes", the president said.

Photo: Julliana Nascimento/CRF

A tribute worthy of legends

One of the evening's most emotional moments came when Arrascaeta and Bruno Henrique were honoured. The pair, protagonists of some of Flamengo's greatest recent achievements, were given a standing ovation. Taking to the stage, both players made a point of calling their squad-mates to share in that special moment.

The players will be immortalised in bronze busts at the club's headquarters in Gávea, with an unveiling scheduled for November 15, Flamengo's 131st birthday. The works will join the club's gallery of legends, alongside other great names in Rubro-Negro history.

Photo: Adriano Fontes/CRF

The evening also included a special tribute to Buck, one of rowing's greatest figures in Flamengo's history, a true Rubro-Negro legend. A video recounting his legacy moved guests on a day marking 30 years since his passing.

Thrilling bidding and R$2.2 million raised

While the tributes moved the audience, the auction itself took the guests' adrenaline to new heights. Led by auctioneer Henri Zylberstajn, who waived his fee for the cause, the event saw eight lots sold, totalling R$2.2 million.

Among the experiences on offer were an exclusive dinner with Zico, a football match at the Ninho do Urubu training ground for the winner and 35 friends, complete with a barbecue, and the chance to watch a Flamengo fixture from the Maracanã's Presidential Lounge.

Shirts worn and signed by Arrascaeta and Bruno Henrique were also auctioned, along with a limited-edition Hublot watch created to commemorate 30 years since the 1981 World Club Cup triumph.

Photo: Paula Reis/CRF

Yet it was the final lot that sparked the evening's most heated bidding war. The right to have a name engraved on the pedestals of both Arrascaeta and Bruno Henrique's busts drew an extended and emotional round of bids from participants.

In the end, 21 Rubro-Negros claimed the privilege of immortalising their names alongside the idols. The highest bidder will have their name inscribed on both pedestals, with the remaining 20 winners split between the two tributes, placing 11 names on each bust—a symbolic reference to the 11 players in a football side.

Photo: Gilvan de Souza/CRF

An evening that leaves a legacy

Beyond the financial outcome, the Historic Auction's success represents the power of a mobilisation that will have far-reaching impact across Flamengo.

Part of the funds raised will support former players who helped build the club's history and today face financial hardship. The identification of beneficiaries has involved Fla Legends, chaired by idol Andrade.

Photo: Adriano Fontes/CRF

Another portion will contribute to building a mini stadium at Ninho do Urubu, with a capacity of 4,000 spectators, which will host matches from the club's youth categories and can also be used by the women's football side.

The proceeds will also benefit Jogaremos Juntos, a project run by Flamengo's Social Responsibility area across eight Rio de Janeiro communities, using sport as a tool for inclusion, development and social transformation.

The event's success was built long before the gala evening. In the digital phase of the auction, 131 Rubro-Negros, aged between 19 and 74, secured the right to attend the live event. Representing 27 cities across 11 Brazilian states, they demonstrated that passion for Flamengo transcends generations and borders.

Photo: Gilvan de Souza/CRF

As an evening marked by applause, tributes and thrilling bids drew to a close, the Historic Auction left one certainty: Flamengo's greatness rests not merely in the achievements of its past, but in its Nação's capacity to mobilise and build the future.

The auction has ended. Its legacy is only beginning.

The Historic Auction was sponsored by FutebolCard, End to End, Ademicom, Be Pass, Globalsys, Wine and Casa Aquim.