22 – STORIES, HISTORY, FACTS, CASES AND “STORIES”

EDSON GONZAGA LUÍS DA SILVA

IT ONLY TOOK 1 TRAINING SESSION TO BE ENROLLED IN FLAMENGO

On January 1, 1976, we began our career at Clube de Regatas do Flamengo as a Professional Football Coach in the Children’s Category and Physical Trainer of Coach Jayme Valente of the Juvenile. Jayme Pimenta Valente and Sebastião Barroso Lazaroni recommended me to the President of Flamengo, Dr. Hélio Maurício.

In 1976, we took over the selection of new players for Mengão, previously carried out by Plínio Simões Guedes. We used the facilities of the Esporte Clube Cocotá, on Ilha dos Governados, for training. One of the young players registered was Edson Gonzaga Luís da Silva, who showed his technical, physical and tactical skills during training.

At the end of the session, we gathered everyone and announced those approved for the next training. We asked Edson and his guardian to wait, as we decided to register the player immediately due to his potential.

Edson quickly stood out, being nicknamed “MAGU”. He was champion of Infanto Juvenil in 1978, promoted to Juvenil in 1979, becoming two-time champion in this category. He was part of Flamengo’s “Golden Era”, culminating in the world title in 1981 in Japan.

Years later, I found Edson coaching the Youth Categories at Coritiba. He had a prominent career, playing as a left winger in clubs such as Flamengo, Coritiba, Cruzeiro and Internacional.

At Flamengo, Edson won important titles, including the 1981 Campeonato Carioca and the 1982 and 1983 Brazilian Championships. At Coritiba, he was Brazilian champion in 1985. At Cruzeiro, he accumulated achievements such as the 1992 Supercopa Libertadores and several Minas Gerais Championships.

Long life, Edson!

P.S. – He played as a left winger and had a prominent career in clubs such as Flamengo, Coritiba, Cruzeiro and Internacional.

At Flamengo, Édson won important titles, including the 1981 Campeonato Carioca and the 1982 and 1983 Brazilian Championships. At Coritiba, he was Brazilian champion in 1985, being part of the team that beat Bangu in the final, at Maracanã. In addition, at Cruzeiro, he accumulated achievements such as the 1992 Supercopa Libertadores and several Minas Gerais Championships.

P.S. 2 – As soon as I see how the story went, if I displease or offend someone, I apologize in advance. I always pray for the thousands of young would-be Soccer Players whose dream I have ended, bones of the trade.

P.S. 3 – There were 110 suitors every two weeks, about 2000 youngsters trying to play for Flamengo. In the Junior range (under 20) success rate of 0.001% (maximum 2 players), for the Youth (Under 18) 0.003% (maximum of 6), and a little more for the Child (Under 15). It was like in a Mine, no matter what was not Gold or Diamond, it was important to find that stone that well cut would become a Brilliant. We found few, but good, that made it worthwhile.

P.4. – Later on, the Process required better organization and we brought Professor José Claudinei Georgini, Valinhos (former Player and Teacher) to Coordinate the Process, with Training for 44 (forty-four each week), returning on Wednesday the 22 best, and on Friday the last evaluation between them or against a reserve team of the club.

By Jucele

Julio Leal

April 29th, 2025