Fluminense Football Club was founded on 21 July 1902, in the neighborhood of Laranjeiras, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, by a group of young football enthusiasts led by Oscar Cox. Let's dive deep into the Fluminense history. The first official match was played against the now-abandoned Rio Football Club, and Fluminense won 8–0. The club's first title came in 1906, when Fluminense won the state championship. By 1922, Fluminense had 4,000 members, a stadium for 25,000 people, and facilities that impressed clubs in Europe. From the 1960s onwards, the first national championships were played in Brazil, so that the country could send representatives to the Copa Libertadores. Fluminense's first national title came in 1970; At that time, Brazil had the best players in world football, and they all played for Brazilian clubs.
Fluminense became Brazilian champions again in 1984, playing in the final against Rio rivals Vasco da Gama. During the decade, they also won three state championships in a row, in 1983, 1984, and 1985, defeating their main rival, Flamengo, in the final of the first two. A disastrous campaign led to Fluminense's relegation from the Brasileirão Série A in 1996.
However, a set of off-field political problems not performed by the club allowed them to remain in Brazil's top domestic league, only to be relegated the next year. Completely out of control, the club was relegated from Série B to Série C in 1998. In 1999, Fluminense won the Série C championship and were to be promoted to Série B when they were invited to take part in the Copa João Havelange, a championship that replaced the traditional Série A in 2000.
Fluminense is recognized as the birthplace of the Brazilian national football team, which played its first-ever match at the club’s Estádio de Laranjeiras in 1914, during Fluminense’s 12th anniversary celebrations. Fluminense ranks among the top contributors to the national team, having provided the fifth most players in Brazil’s history.
Fluminense is one of the top clubs in the Brazilian league; however, in the past few seasons, the performance of Fluminense have been in turmoil. But this new season comes with new hope, as they are focused on growing their academy. However, their main focus is on growing their revenue with player sales and broadcasting, and becoming a bigger and better club than its fierce rivals.