Fortaleza is one of the most traditional clubs in the Northeastern region of Brazil alongside Bahia, Vitria, Santa Cruz, Sport, Nutico and Cear, its biggest rival. The club's colors are red, blue and white.

Flamengo's fiercest and longest-standing rivalries are with the other "Big Four" of Rio de Janeiro: Fluminense, Botafogo and Vasco da Gama; as well as interstate rivalries with Atletico MG and Palmeiras.

Clube de Regatas do Flamengo (Brazilian Portuguese: [klubi di eaataz du flamau]; English: Flamengo Rowing Club), more commonly referred to as simply Flamengo, is a Brazilian sports club based in Rio de Janeiro, in the neighborhood of Gvea, best known for their professional football team that plays in Campeonato ...

Flamengo was first founded in 1895 during the proclamation of the Brazilian republic, not as a footballing team  but as a rowing club. They didn't play their first official match until 1912 where they beat the now non-existent club Mangueira 16-2. That remains Flamengo's largest numerical victory in their history.