Clube de Regatas do Flamengo is one of Brazil’s most successful and popular teams, known for its rich history and for having legendary players in every position. Among these players, goalkeepers have played crucial roles in the club’s success. From miraculous saves to decisive moments in championship finals, the best goalkeepers in Flamengo ‘s history have marked their names in the club’s history.
In this article, we’ll explore the careers of the 10 best goalkeepers in Flamengo’s history, highlighting their titles, most memorable moments, unforgettable saves and everlasting legacies. Let’s dive into this journey through Flamengo’s history and celebrate the giants who have protected the nets of the Maracanã and so many other stadiums around the world.
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The 10 Best Goalkeepers in Flamengo’s History
1. Raul Plassmann
Number 1 on the list of best goalkeepers in Flamengo’s history, Raul Plassmann was born in 1944 in Antonina, Paraná. He began his career at Atlético Paranaense and made a name for himself at Cruzeiro before joining Flamengo.
Titles with Flamengo:
- Carioca Championship: 1978, 1979, 1979 (Special), 1981
- Brazilian Championship: 1980, 1982, 1983
- Copa Libertadores: 1981
- Interclub World Cup: 1981
Raul was instrumental in winning the 1980 Brazilian Championship, making decisive saves in the final moments of matches.
One of his most memorable saves came in the final of the 1981 Copa Libertadores, securing victory against Cobreloa.
Raul was also the goalkeeper who led Flamengo to their first world title in 1981, a historic milestone for the club.
2. Júlio César
Born in 1979 in Rio de Janeiro, Júlio César started out in the youth ranks at Flamengo, where he quickly made a name for himself.
Titles with Flamengo:
- Carioca Championship: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004
He was essential in Flamengo’s three-time Carioca championship campaign (1999-2001), being a wall in defense.
He stood out in the 2001 Carioca final with spectacular saves against Vasco da Gama.
One of the best goalkeepers in Flamengo’s history, Júlio César is remembered for his consistent performances that led him to become a starter for the Brazilian national team.
In 2023, he came 9th in the list of the best goalkeepers of the 21st century made by the British magazine FourFourTwo.
Read also: The 20 best goalkeepers in history: heroes between the posts
3: Zé Carlos
Zé Carlos was born in 1962 in Rio de Janeiro. He began his professional career at Flamengo and became an idol of the fans.
Titles with Flamengo:
- Brazilian Championship: 1987 and 1992
- Brazilian Cup: 1990
- Carioca Championship: 1986, 1991
He was vital in winning the 1992 Brazilian Championship, especially in the final phase of the tournament.
His saves in the 1992 Brasileiro final against Botafogo were crucial to the title.
Zé Carlos is one of the few goalkeepers to have won two Brazilian titles for Flamengo.
4. Diego Alves
Born in 1985 in Rio de Janeiro, Diego Alves spent his career mainly in Spain before returning to Brazil to play for Flamengo during the team’s golden era, especially in 2019, an unforgettable year for the red-black team.
With Diego and Everton Ribeiro, he shared the team’s captaincy in several games.
Titles with Flamengo:
- Brazilian Championship: 2019 and 2020
- Copa Libertadores: 2019
- Brazilian Super Cup: 2020, 2021
- South American Cup: 2020
- Carioca Championship: 2019, 2020, 2021
He was essential in the 2019 Libertadores campaign, with decisive saves in crucial moments.
His penalty saves against Emelec in the 2019 Libertadores round of 16 were legendary.
Diego Alves is known for being one of the greatest penalty takers in Flamengo’s history.
5. Cantarelli
Born in 1953 in Rio de Janeiro, Cantarelli dedicated almost his entire career to Flamengo, being one of the club’s longest-serving goalkeepers.
Titles with Flamengo:
- Carioca Championship: 1972, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1979 (Special), 1981, 1986
- Brazilian Championship: 1980, 1982, 1983
- Copa Libertadores: 1981
- Interclub World Cup: 1981
He was part of the legendary 1981 team that won the Libertadores and the World Cup, establishing himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Flamengo’s history.
He played in decisive games in the 1980 Brasileiro, with confident performances and important saves.
Cantarelli is the player with the most games played for Flamengo, and remained at the club after retiring from the pitch as Flamengo’s goalkeeping coach.
6. Ubirajara Alcântara
Born in 1936 in Belém, Ubirajara began his career at Remo before moving to Flamengo.
Titles with Flamengo:
- Carioca Championship: 1963, 1965
- Rio-São Paulo Tournament: 1961
Ubirajara was crucial in winning the Carioca Championship in 1965, securing the title with his saves.
His performance in the 1961 Rio-São Paulo Tournament was marked by decisive saves that led Flamengo to the title.
Ubirajara was Flamengo’s first-choice goalkeeper during one of their most successful spells in the early 60s.
7. Santos
An absolute starter under Dorival Júnior, Santos made Flamengo’s history with his great performances in the Copa do Brasil and Libertadores titles.
Titles with Flamengo:
- Copa Libertadores: 2022
- Brazil Cup: 2022
Born in Campina Grande in 1990, he made his professional debut on August 10, 2011, for Atlético Paranaense.
In 2022, Santos enjoyed the best season of his life, playing in 37 games for the regro-negro, conceding 24 goals and keeping a clean sheet in 18 matches.
8. Rossi
Flamengo’s current goalkeeper is already part of this list of the best goalkeepers in Flamengo’s history, especially as he became the team’s goalkeeper with the most minutes without a clean sheet in official matches in the 21st century!
In 2022, he won the Alumni Award as “best footballer of the year” in Argentina.
Titles with Flamengo:
- Carioca Championship: 2024
9. Dorival Knipel
Born in 1917 in Corumbá, Dorival Knipel, better known as Yustrich, began his career with América-MG before moving to Flamengo.
He earned the nickname Yustrich because he was similar in physique and style to Yustrich, who played for Boca Juniors (ARG).
Titles with Flamengo:
- Carioca Championship: 1939, 1942, 1943, 1944
Yustrich was crucial in Flamengo’s triumph in the Carioca Championship (1942, 1943, 1944), being a reference point in goal.
His performance in the 1939 Campeonato Carioca was marked by decisive saves that led Flamengo to the title.
Yustrich was Flamengo’s first-choice goalkeeper during one of the club’s most successful periods in the 40s.
10. Gilmar Rinaldi
Gilmar Rinaldi was one of the foundations of the 1991 Carioca and 1992 Brazilian champions.
He was Flamengo’s representative in the Brazilian national team that won the four-times championship in 1994.
Titles with Flamengo:
- Brazilian Championship: 1992
- Carioca Championship: 1991
- Rio Cup: 1991
- Rio Cup: 1991
List of the 10 best goalkeepers in Flamengo’s history
- Raul Plassmann
- Júlio César
- Zé Carlos
- Diego Alves
- Cantarelli
- Ubirajara Alcântara
- Santos
- Rossi
- Dorival Knipel
- Gilmar Rinaldi
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