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A meeting for eternity at the Flamengo Museum
Club idols Zico, Evaristo de Macedo, Nélio and Sávio got together for a recording of number ten shirts in Gávea
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The clock was pointing to 11 a.m. when Evaristo de Macedo and Nélio met at the Flamengo Museum. The reunion—for a recording session with the Museu da Pelada—was filled with hugs, affection, and recognition. They had one thing in common: pride in having worn and made history with the Sacred Mantle. Our second skin.
As soon as he saw Nélio, Evaristo didn't miss the opportunity to joke: "Where's the number ten shirt?" he asked, drawing a hearty laugh. Nélio responded affectionately, and that was the beginning of a long and excellent conversation. Soon after, Sávio appeared. With all the mastery that still recalls the player's days, the Blond Angel of Gávea, feeling right at home, joined the conversation, greeted his friends, and heaped praise on the legendary Evaristo.
"These generations and the entire history of Flamengo transcends sport. Evaristo was one of the greats. Not just here, but at Barcelona and Real Madrid as well. Then came other greats, like Zico, and when I moved up and looked at Nélio's generation, I wondered where I would play, but they made room for me, and I managed to get in," he commented.
Like a father looking at his son, Evaristo didn't hide his happiness, and Nélio mentioned the responsibility of wearing Flamengo's number ten jersey. And speaking of the number ten jersey...
Exactly ten minutes later, Zico appeared. It was the icing on the cake. With his usual friendliness and utmost respect, he looked at Evaristo and smiled broadly: "It's so good to see you, great master," he said. The embrace between the pair symbolizes the word mastery in its literal sense. It was spine-chilling.
The sequence of this entire story is a representation of the red-and-black aura. The one that accompanies our people in stadiums across Brazil and the world. The Nation.
Holding the Mantle, Quintino's Little Rooster spoke about Evaristo's legacy. Consequently, Nélio and Sávio praised Zico. Lucky were those who visited the Museum at that moment and saw it all up close. A privilege for the few who, of course, were ecstatic. It could have been anything but a normal day.
The report, which will air next Sunday (16), at 9 am, on the Museu da Pelada channel on Youtube, was an immersion into our culture, with spectacular details and emotional statements, such as that of our greatest idol.
"Wearing that jersey was the greatest gift from God I ever received. When I was still a kid at América, during Evaristo's time, Zizinho turned to me and said, 'Kid, that jersey is different. It's not enough to just know how to play soccer, you have to get there, run, fight, and struggle. If you're not feeling well, go out there and tackle." Can you imagine Zizinho, my father's idol and the greatest player in history, saying that to me? I was fifteen and just starting out at Flamengo's academy. I kept that in mind and only passed it on to the next generations," he commented, with a look that only a Flamengo fan can understand.
In front of visitors, family, presenters, and producers, the quartet continued talking as if tomorrow didn't exist. The generational and nostalgic tone set the tone for a relaxed, lighthearted, and educational conversation. Children in attendance, who hadn't had the opportunity to see them in action, left with fond memories. And, without a doubt, more fans than ever. And that's what drives us.
Before filming ended, Evaristo de Macedo, Nélio, Sávio, and Zico posed for a photo together. They had one thing in common, once again. The number ten jersey. Each with their own. The now-eternalized photo proves how great they all are and how much Flamengo is in their DNA. In their very essence.
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