Rank 25, WorldCupStory Club Index 17,447
Flamengo World Cup XI Dream Team
| Flamengo | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Country | WCups | Games | Mins | Goals | Capt | |
| GK | Walter Goulart | Brazil | 1 | 3 | 300 | 0 | 0 |
| RB | Toninho | Brazil | 1 | 6 | 526 | 0 | 0 |
| CB | Júnior Baiano | Brazil | 1 | 7 | 660 | 0 | 0 |
| CB | Brito | Brazil | 1 | 6 | 540 | 0 | 0 |
| LB | Juvenal | Brazil | 1 | 6 | 540 | 0 | 0 |
| MF | Júnior | Brazil | 1 | 5 | 450 | 1 | 0 |
| MF | Sócrates | Brazil | 1 | 5 | 458 | 2 | 0 |
| MF | Zico | Brazil | 3 | 14 | 743 | 5 | 0 |
| MF | Mário Zagallo | Brazil | 1 | 6 | 540 | 1 | 0 |
| ST | Moderato | Brazil | 1 | 1 | 90 | 2 | 0 |
| ST | Leônidas | Brazil | 1 | 4 | 420 | 7 | 2 |
| 13 | 63 | 5267 | 18 | 2 |
Flamengo is a club based in Rio, whose greatest day was beating Liverpool 3-0 in December 1981 to become world club champions, led at the time by Zico.
The Flamengo World Cup dream team is an eclectic mix of eras, with probably Brazil’s most stylish midfield from the 1980s mixed with strikers from the 1930s and a defence which spans some 60 years.
In goal Walter Goulart hails from the 1938 tournament, a survivor of the infamous Battle of Bordeaux against Czechoslovakia. At right back, Toninho played for the unbeaten 3rd placed side of 1978, whereas left back, Juvenal, represented Brazil at the 1950 home trounament. At centre back we have 1970 winner, Brito, alongside Junior Baiano from the 1998 runners-up.
Moving into midfield, we find 4 of Brazil’s all-time greats. Junior, Socrates and Zico were true stars of the 1980s, and Mario Zagallo was the chief strategist in the first tournament win in 1958. He went on to become the first man to win the World Cup as both a player and manager, coaching the great 1970 side to victory in Mexico. All these players contribute goals as well as cultured play, and Zico, in particular will terrify opposition defences.
The strike force comprises the interestingly named Moderato, with 2 goals from his only game in 1930, paired with another great, Leonidas from 1938. Top scorer in the 1938 tournament, he was known as the ‘black diamond’ and the ‘rubber man’ due to his remarkable agility.
With Leonidas up front, this team is capable of anything, especially with the classy midfield supplying the chances. Perhaps there is a slight lack of steel in the team, but with the drums beating out the rhythm, you can be this side will see the lion’s share of possession.
