Ask any football fan to picture a Brazilian club shirt and chances are they'll see red and black horizontal stripes. Flamengo's jersey is the most recognised in Brazilian football — and one of the most iconic in the world. But almost nobody knows that it was never supposed to look this way.
Born in blue and gold
Flamengo was founded on 15 November 1895 as a rowing club. The colours chosen by its founders were blue and gold. The change came just three years later, in 1898, for a surprisingly practical reason: the metallic combination faded and deteriorated rapidly under Rio de Janeiro's harsh sun and salt-laden sea air. The club needed something more durable — and the red-and-black horizontal stripes took over.
What began as a logistical fix became the most passionate identity in South American football.
The shirt that conquered the world in 1981
Flamengo's jersey became globally famous in December 1981, when the club — fielding Zico, Júnior and Nunes wearing the number 9 — defeated Liverpool 3–0 in the Intercontinental Cup in Tokyo. It was the first time a Brazilian club had won the world title, and the red-and-black stripes appeared on front pages from Japan to Brazil to England.
The kit worn that night was beautifully simple: horizontal stripes, the club crest, no sleeve sponsor. A pure shirt. That purity is exactly what collectors are chasing today.
Zico and the number 10 that became a myth
No Flamengo shirt is more iconic than the number 10 worn by Zico. In just 16 seasons with the club, the Galinho (Little Rooster) won 13 titles — a record that still stands. The number 10 in red and black became synonymous with brilliance in Brazilian football, in the same way that Maradona's 10 defined Argentina and Pelé's 10 defined Santos.
A curiosity: Flamengo's anthem was judged the most beautiful in Rio
The red-and-black shirt carries more than football — it carries culture. According to the Brazilian magazine Placar, nine out of ten cariocas agree that Flamengo has the most beautiful club anthem in Rio de Janeiro. All rival fans unanimously point to Lamartine Babo's lyrics as the finest ever written for a club. In 1996, it was re-recorded by Tim Maia for a CD called Hinos da Placar.
Why original Flamengo jerseys are so sought after
With an estimated fanbase of over 40 million supporters across Brazil, demand for authentic Flamengo shirts has always far outstripped supply. That gap has created a thriving market for counterfeit jerseys — particularly Thai replicas — that look convincing at first glance but fail every quality test on closer inspection.
At Garrincha Shirts, every Flamengo jersey we carry is 100% original. We source directly from verified channels and include provenance documentation where applicable. Whether you are looking for a match-worn rarity or a clean retro edition, you will find nothing but the real thing here.