- Flamengo had won their only CONMEBOL Libertadores title in 1981 and had to wait 38 years to lift the trophy for a second time.
- Since then, Mengão have become a dominant force on the continental stage and will look to extend their golden era in the 2026 edition.
After their unforgettable 1981 triumph, inspired by an irrepressible Zico, on a journey that culminated in a world title against Liverpool in Tokyo, Flamengo had to wait 38 years to lift the CONMEBOL Libertadores trophy again. To be reunited with 'Eternal Glory', Mengão were pushed to the limit in the memorable 2019 decider against River Plate in Lima and, since then, have become a constant presence at the highest level of continental football.
Seven years later, with a Semi-final meeting against Estudiantes awaiting them in the 2026 edition, the side now coached by Leonardo Jardim will look to defend their crown and emulate Palmeiras, the most recent team to win back-to-back titles, in 2020 and 2021. Whatever the outcome, with three triumphs in the last seven editions, one thing is undeniable: Flamengo are living through a golden era in the continent's most prestigious club competition.
The team that rediscovered 'Eternal Glory'
Thirty-five years had passed since Flamengo had last gone beyond the Quarter-finals of the CONMEBOL Libertadores. Following their 1981 triumph, they took part in the semi-final group stages in 1982 and 1984, the latter representing their last appearance at that stage until 2019. Under Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, the 'Rubro-Negro' made the most of a squad packed with players of international pedigree, including goalkeeper Diego Alves, full-backs Rafinha and Filipe Luís, Spanish centre-back Pablo Marí, a memorable midfield featuring Willian Arão, Gerson and Giorgian de Arrascaeta, and an attacking trio of Éverton Ribeiro, Bruno Henrique and Gabriel Barbosa. There was plenty of quality on the bench too, including Diego Ribas, who played a decisive role in the comeback against River Plate.
Flamengo faced a demanding campaign from the outset, finishing top of Group D level on points with Ecuador's Liga de Quito and Uruguay's Peñarol. In the Round of 16, after losing the first leg 2-0 away to Emelec in Guayaquil, they levelled the tie through a 'Gabigol' brace before advancing on penalties. An all-Brazilian clash followed in the Quarter-finals: Bruno Henrique scored twice in a 2-0 first-leg victory before Gabriel Barbosa struck in the return as Flamengo eliminated Internacional of Porto Alegre 3-1 on aggregate.
In the Semi-finals, while River and Boca contested another edition of Argentina's biggest rivalry to decide the other finalist, Mengão swept Grêmio aside with a devastating display of attacking power from a team that would also win the Brasileirão with 90 points and 86 goals. After a 1-1 draw at the Arena do Grêmio in the first leg, Flamengo produced an emphatic 5-0 victory in the return, with goals from Bruno Henrique, Pablo Marí, Rodrigo Caio and a brace from 'Gabigol'.
The single-match final was played at the Estadio Monumental in Lima, where River Plate — the reigning champions after defeating Boca Juniors in 2018 and led by Marcelo Gallardo during an unforgettable era — went ahead through Rafael Santos Borré in the 14th minute. The 'Millonario' were closing in on back-to-back titles after an impressive performance, but Flamengo produced a dramatic late response for the ages: Gabriel Barbosa scored in the 89th minute and again in stoppage time to complete a comeback that returned the Brazilian giants to the summit of South American football.
The triumph in Lima changed Flamengo's expectations for the years ahead. In 2020, they added the CONMEBOL Recopa to their trophy cabinet after defeating Independiente del Valle and also retained the Brasileirão, although Jorge Jesus' departure ushered in a period of instability in the dugout. With Rogério Ceni in charge, their defence of the continental title came to an end in the Round of 16 against Racing, on penalties, after Willian Arão had levelled the tie in the 48th minute of second-half stoppage time in the return leg at the Maracanã. Arão missed in the shootout and Sebastián Beccacece's Racing knocked 'Fla' out, but Mengão would soon return to the biggest match on the South American calendar.
In 2021, with Renato Gaúcho at the helm, Flamengo reached another Final after eliminating Defensa y Justicia, Olimpia and Barcelona of Ecuador. The outcome at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, however, was very different from Lima. Although 'Gabigol' once again scored in a final, cancelling out Raphael Veiga's opener, Palmeiras won 2-1 after extra time through Deyverson. Flamengo were forced to watch their rivals celebrate, but they were left with one conviction that would be vindicated the following year: they had a team capable of coming back.
An unbeaten campaign to conquer South America
Their response came in 2022. After beginning the season under Paulo Sousa, Flamengo found in Dorival Júnior the coach capable of getting the best out of a squad that still retained many of its key figures. One of his most important decisions came in attack: Pedro and Gabriel Barbosa could play together, complement one another and broaden the possibilities of a side that would go unbeaten on its way to a third CONMEBOL Libertadores title.
Flamengo cruised through Group H of the Group Stage, dropping only two points in an away draw against Talleres in Córdoba. The Round of 16 provided the first emphatic demonstration of their strength. After a 1-0 victory over Deportes Tolima in Colombia, 'Fla' ran out 7-1 winners at the Maracanã, with Pedro scoring four times. The striker was embarking on an extraordinary campaign and would finish as the competition's top scorer with 12 goals, as well as being named the tournament's best player.
Corinthians and Vélez Sarsfield were also unable to stop an irresistible Flamengo side. They overcame the São Paulo club in the Quarter-finals with a 2-0 away win followed by a 1-0 victory at home, before taking a huge step towards the Final with a commanding 4-0 victory over Vélez at the Estadio José Amalfitani in Buenos Aires, where Pedro scored a hat-trick. Flamengo then completed the job with a 2-1 win in Rio de Janeiro. They had reached their third Final in four editions, combining experience, attacking depth and confidence to become a formidable opponent.
Athletico Paranaense, coached by Luiz Felipe Scolari, awaited them in Guayaquil. And, just as in 2019, 'Gabigol' delivered: the striker scored the only goal of the Final and once again ensured his name would forever be associated with a continental triumph. Flamengo ended the campaign with 12 wins and one draw from 13 matches, remaining unbeaten throughout, and added the CONMEBOL Libertadores to the Copa do Brasil they had also won that season.
Filipe Luís, from champion on the pitch to champion as a coach
The years that followed that triumph also brought their share of obstacles. In 2023, Flamengo were eliminated by Olimpia in the Round of 16 and ended the year without a trophy. In 2024, their continental campaign was halted by Peñarol in the Quarter-finals. Having reached three finals in four editions, the club turned to one of the key figures behind its recent successes in an effort to rediscover its best form.
The answer was Filipe Luís, a South American champion as a player in 2019 and 2022, who took charge of the first team in September 2024 after working in the club's youth ranks. His impact brought an immediate reward with the Copa do Brasil title and reached its fullest expression the following season.
In the 2025 CONMEBOL Libertadores, he found a formula that took Flamengo back to 'Eternal Glory'. Flamengo once again overcame Internacional in the Round of 16, but their resilience was pushed to the limit against Estudiantes in the Quarter-finals. After a 2-1 victory at the Maracanã and a 1-0 defeat in La Plata, Agustín Rossi emerged as the hero of the penalty shootout that kept the Brazilian side in the competition.
Another Argentine opponent awaited in the Semi-finals: Racing. Mengão won 1-0 in Rio de Janeiro and held on for a goalless draw in Avellaneda, where they played much of the second half with ten men. Unlike the emphatic displays of 2022, that run to the Final was also built on defensive solidity and the resilience to overcome moments of adversity.
Fate took Flamengo back to Lima and brought them face to face with Palmeiras, the team that had denied them the title in 2021. This time, the outcome belonged to Flamengo: Danilo headed home from a Giorgian de Arrascaeta corner to seal a 1-0 victory and make 'Fla' the first Brazilian club to win the CONMEBOL Libertadores four times.
Filipe Luís thus completed an extraordinary journey: he lifted the trophy as coach of the same club with which he had already won it twice as a player. He also guided Flamengo to another Brasileirão title, repeating the league-and-Libertadores double he had celebrated on the pitch under Jorge Jesus in 2019.
A golden era looking for new chapters
Following defeat to Lanús in the CONMEBOL Recopa, Flamengo's board decided to replace Filipe Luís in the dugout, a decision that underlined the ambition behind the Mengão project. The responsibility for extending this successful cycle fell to Leonardo Jardim. The Portuguese coach inherited a squad that blends key figures from the club's earlier triumphs with players brought in to maintain its competitive edge. De Arrascaeta and Bruno Henrique remain decisive, while Rossi, Pedro and others continue to add their own chapters to this period in the club's history.
The qualification against Independiente del Valle once again highlighted that blend. Flamengo won 2-0 in Ecuador and secured their place among the final four with a 1-1 draw at the Maracanã. The goal that effectively settled the tie brought together two of their leading figures: a long ball from Rossi found De Arrascaeta, who headed home to put Flamengo firmly on course for the Semi-finals.
Estudiantes will provide the next challenge, one year after a tie between the sides required a penalty shootout to determine the winner. Mengão will be chasing a fifth Final since 2019 and the opportunity to successfully defend the title for the first time in the club's history.
