If you happened to catch any of BBC Three's coverage of this season's Copa Libertadores final- South America's answer to the Champions League, for the layman- you may well be aware that this season's was yet another all- Brazilian affair. Continuing an incredible run for the country of having at least one finalist in every tournament since 2019, when Flamengo dispatched River Plate thanks to an incredible late double from Gabriel Barbosa.
In 2020 there was the first all-Brazilian showpiece as Palmeiras beat Santos 1-0, thanks to another at the death strike, this from the boot of Breno Lopes. The following year saw them lift the trophy for a third time, getting the better of Flamengo thanks to an extra time winner from Deyverson...
It would be a hat-trick of Libertadores lifts for Brazil by 2022, when Flamengo made it three continental titles in squeaking past Athletico Paranaense, that man Gabriel Barbosa netting again having by now made his initial loan move from Inter Milan permanent. He now has 77 goals from 165 games as an Urubu (Vulture) having found his feet at the Maracana, 32 in 41 while on loan evidently enough to convince president Rodolfo Landim to open his chequebook!
But it's possibly the most famous dugout in the country we can turn to, to look for the roots of an extraordinary spell of domestic success, all the more remarkable for its brevity. Which has seemingly prompted envious rivals from across the Brasileirao to attempt to copy the formula. Abel Braga's resignation as Flamengo manager, in 2019, ushered in the coming of Jorge Jesus after a single season with Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia- into whose arms he's since returned following his solitary, successful season at Flamengo. His spell in charge started as he no doubt meant to go on with a 6-1 hammering of Goias.
Less than a day after his first domestic trophy, the Copa Libertadores, he led them to a first Campeonato (league title) since 2009 with four games to spare. Gremio's win against Palmeiras making it a double and adding considerable sheen to the season as they'd already won the Campeonato Carioca (Rio's state championship crown) for a record- busting 35th such triumph!
To some degree Jesus owed it to his tactical acumen fine-tuned back in Portugal, as noted by Total Football Analysis-
“The starting eleven is filled with players familiar with European football. In goal, there is Valencia’s ex keeper, Diego Alves. The full-backs are Brazilian internationals Rafinha and Felipe Luis- two attacking players that contribute to the build-up phase in attack with their experience from the top European leagues.
The centre-back partnership of Rodrigo Caio and Pablo Mari is also a key aspect of Flamengo’s incredible run of form, with only two opposition teams scoring more than a goal against them since Jesus took over.“
In fact, it was a season of records tumbling as they bulldozed their way to 90 points, 86 goals scored, 24 games unbeaten and a +49 goal difference. Only the second team to do similar after the Santos vintage of 1962, helped along by some bloke called Pele. Whatever happened to him, eh?
While he may have hung up his boots a long while ago, there was still time for his fellow countrymen to remind everyone else they remain a bit decent at the whole football malarkey, as 2023's Libertadores final saw Fluminense beating Boca Juniors 2-1 after extra time. John Kennedy's 99th minute goal was enough to hand the Fluzao- Big Flu- their first intercontinental title.
Which probably played a big part in the national FA handing gaffer Fernando Diniz, now of Cruzeiro, the Selecao job on an interim basis. Although his intended one year deal ended mere months short- a first ever home World Cup qualifying defeat hardly helped his cause and a rather terse statement was issued by the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) when they gave him the push...
"The CBF thanks Fernando Diniz for the work he has done, for all his dedication and seriousness, and for the challenge of renewing the Brazilian national team during his tenure. We wish Fernando Diniz the best of luck."
His permanent successor, Dorival Junior has been in the hot seat for a year now, handed the task of getting them over the line to the next World Cup! In a busy twelve months Brazil have won six of their fourteen fixtures and sit in an unprecedented fifth spot (out of ten) for their World Cup qualifying. So, still very underwhelming.
Onward then, from something of an own goal by those in charge of the national game to this year's domestic grand day out for Brazil, and quite the 120th anniversary celebration for Botafogo, who swept aside Atletico Mineiro 3-1 having lost midfielder Gregore after just 29 seconds of play following a horror challenge on Fausto Vera. Luiz Henrique getting the party started around ten minutes before half time and former Manchester United left-back Alex Telles converting a penalty a minute before the interval to hand the Fogo (Fire) a bit of a cushion. Putting Artur Jorge- like the aforementioned Jesus, on the brink of a first trophy since taking over at the Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos in April of last year.
The Portuguese gaffer was tempted to try his luck in South America after the club agreed two million Euros worth of compensation to get him over from Braga. Majority shareholder John Textor- who also owns Crystal Palace and Lyon whilst making eyes at Everton- was most likely positively purring as at least one of his investments looked like paying off two years after agreeing to put his hands in his pockets for a 90 per cent stake.
Little wonder he was so choked up in the aftermath of the final, though he might have upset any curious Eagles or Les Gones fans with what might come across as a curious at best observation (given his extensive involvement and indeed investments in football across Europe). Belgium's RWD Molenbeek also part of his portfolio-
“They worked so hard and they won it! I love them! They said we weren’t mentally strong and our boys proved otherwise. They were wrong. But we have done more good things than bad.
I grew up in Florida, which has strong relations with South America. For me, that is more important than anything that happens in Europe. It is phenomenal.”
His temptation to samba in the stands on his visits to the Nilton Santos can only be growing, as they finished top of the Campeonato tree last month on 79 points-helped by two loanees via the Parc Olympique Lyonnais. The brilliantly named winger Jeffinho, returning for the season after a ten million Euro move in January 2023, and defender Adryelson, also back on a temporary basis after a move to France for 3.58 million Euros in January last year. Botafogo ended up six points clear of nearest challengers Palmeiras and with a first trip to the bloated/expanded, depending on point of view, FIFA- sanctioned “reward” of a place in the newly expanded Club World Cup to follow.
The draw saw them lumped in with PSG, Atletico Madrid and Seattle Sounders in Group B, although they’ll make the trip without Artur Jorge after he left on January 3rd to take the job at Al-Rayyan SC in Qatar! A far cry from Flamengo's trip to Qatar for the 2019 edition when they beat Al Hilal 3-1 in the semi final then lost 1-0 to Liverpool in the final after Roberto Firmino bagged an extra time winner. The game served as a sort of repeat of its predecessor, 1981's Intercontinental Cup final- though on that occasion Flamengo won 3-0, two goals for Nunes and a topper from Adilio sealing it for their Zico-era vintage.
And as a special treat for the bored/curious, again depending on point of view, they'll be joining Botafogo in the USA for next year's spiritual successor to the Intercontinental, now under the leadership of Filipe Luís. who's been given the chance after success with their under seventeen and twenty sides and secured them third in the league this past season. Group A meetings with former club Chelsea, Esperance of Tunisia and Mexico's Club Leon possibly more hindrance than incentive, though you'll be able to watch it all online via DAZN Sports streaming for free if you're that way inclined.
Boom time, nevertheless, for Brazil, their near neighbours probably spitting blood...