Cruyff to Brazil: Fluminense & Flamengo’s Bid

Fluminense and Flamengo, who meet at 18:00 on Sunday in the fourth round of the Campeonato Carioca at the Maracanã, both tried to lure Johan Cruyff at different moments last century.

Reflecting on Flamengo’s pursuit in 1980, former vice-president Eduardo Motta said: ‘He asked for an amount far above what we can pay. The contract length was not settled either.’ He told Jornal do Brasil in October 2020.

The Dutchman, a symbol of Total Football and later a transformative coach at Barcelona, first came onto Fluminense’s agenda in 1975. President Francisco Horta saw him play for Paris Saint-Germain on a two-game loan from Barcelona and opened talks.

In 1976 Fluminense helped bring Cruyff to Brazil for two exhibitions, leaving him to enjoy Rio while sounding out a deal to join Rivellino the following season. His Barcelona contract was due to expire in April 1977 and Horta prepared to act.

Cruyff said he would consider Brazil if an offer outweighed his European commitments, which included business and advertising deals. The first friendly finished 1-1 at the Morumbi, goals from Cruyff and Toninho. Three days later at the Maracanã, the Brazilians won 2-1, Rodrigues Neto and Ziza scoring, with Doval netting for the foreigners, and he left that day.

President Márcio Braga then targeted the 33-year-old in late 1980, while he was with Washington Diplomats, to keep crowds engaged as Zico and others faced Brazil call-ups. A phone meeting was planned but did not happen, and reports from his earlier visit suggested his wife had not enjoyed Rio.

Cruyff chose a European return in 1981 with Levante. Without him, Flamengo won the Libertadores and the world title with Zico at the helm.