THE MAGIC OF THE MARACANÃ

Culture & Lifestyle, Feature, Sport
C.S

September 2, 2024

“In my family, I like to think that the greatest legacy that was passed on to me is Fluminense, that’s why it is so special to me, it’s in my blood.“

Born into a family where red and green coursed through their veins, it was only ever going to be Fluminense for Rafael.

The love of the club was passed onto him from previous generations and it is a love he carries with him every day.

Born in the city of Rio de Janiero the Maracanã, a place where Fluminense call home, has loomed large over his life.

It is there he has witnessed the magic of one of the world’s most mythical sporting venues in all its glory, as Fluminenese lifted their first-ever Copa Libertadores in 2023.

He has also watched on in awe as heroes Marcelo and Thiago Silva returned to their rightful home, and it is a place where he saw the curtain close on the career of his idol Fred.

The Atlantic Dispatch sat down with Rafael as he spoke about his love for the club and the many magical moments he has captured on camera in the Maracanã.

FOR A CHILD WHO LOVES FOOTBALL, THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN HIS TEAM

I was born and raised in the City of Rio de Janeiro. I like to think that my relationship with Football and Fluminense started before I was born.

My grandparents on my father’s side moved in the 60s, from Ceará (northeast of Brazil) to Rio de Janeiro, in the Laranjeiras neighbourhood, just a few metres from the Fluminense headquarters. Then my grandfather started supporting the club and passed this passion on to my father, who then passed it on to me.

THE MARACANÃ

I grew up going to see Fluminense games at the Maracanã with my father and his friends almost every weekend for as long as I can remember.

The most memorable moments of my childhood were in the stands. For a child who loves football, there is nothing more important than his football team.

In my family, I like to think that the greatest legacy that was passed on to me is Fluminense, that’s why it is so special to me, it’s in my blood.

IT’S STILL A DREAM TO THINK THAT I PHOTOGRAPHED THAT DAY

My best memories as a Fluminense fan were when we won the Copa do Brasil in 2007, it was the first important title I saw Fluminense win. I was only 8 years old when I came to understand the inexplicable feeling of being a champion.

But the most memorable was seeing Fluminense win their first Libertadores in 2023 at Maracanã, it was the most incredible day of my life and I think about it often during the week

There is a memory that comes close though! In 2022, I worked at Fluminense and I was at the last game of my biggest idol, Fred.

I was on the field so it’s a very special memory, I just don’t know how to thank the people who opened the doors for me at Fluminense, for this special day.

It is one of the greatest moments of my life. It’s still a dream to think that I photographed that day.

SHOWING LOVE AND GRATITUDE TO THE CLUB THAT FORMED THEM

In a country that is based on an agro-exporting economy, it is not very difficult to imagine that the same relationship is repeated in Football. But there’s nothing we can do, the European leagues have more money and organisation.

I can’t blame a player for wanting a better personal and professional life. Seeing players like Thiago Silva and Marcelo returning is, above all, a way of showing love and gratitude to the club that formed them and the fans that always supported them.

Keeping our best players here in Brazil is still a far-away dream.

CAPTURE PEOPLE BEING WHO THEY ARE

One day I borrowed a camera from my Aunt and things started happening, it was never a goal in my life. I have always preferred to observe rather than speak, so it was a relationship that worked.

I can’t imagine my life without photography. I’ve only been taking photos for 5 years, I still have a lot to understand, learn and evolve, so I don’t like to think that I have a defined style.

I think a photographer’s greatest quality is the ability to capture people being who they are, human, fragile, but above all, passionate. Then, just fit it into the rectangle.

Besides football, I also really enjoy photographing the people in my life, fashion and music projects with my incredibly talented friends! I’m very happy that so many people can relate to my photos.