Rio's Portuguese ancestors, Vasco da Gama football club
Vasco da Gama was well known in Portugal, so immigrants joined upon arrival. The club's ready-made community eased their entry by providing contacts for those who came alone and a place to socialize for those with extended family and friends already in Rio.
The Vasco football team is now one of Brazil's richest soccer clubs. The $20 million the club claims in assets has come mostly as gifts, in the form of city properties, from wealthy members of the Portuguese community. It has more than 2,000 "owner-members" (proprietários) holding titles worth $2,5000 each.
The fotball team now holds third place in Rio de Janeiro popularity.
Home stadium of Vasco da Gama football team is the São Januário, capacity 31,000, but some games are played at the Maracanã (capacity 120,000).
The Vasco soccer players wear white shirts with a black diagonal stripe that contains a Order of Christ cross, white shorts and white socks.
Vasco da Gama soccer Club has 60,000 general members and has fielded so many great winning teams that even those not of Portuguese descent have declared themselves Vasco fans.
The Carnival celebration at Vasco's club grounds attracted 150,000 members and friends. Every Saturday night 5,000 teenagers come for their "Hi-Fi" dances. More than 2,000 watch players train before a Flamengo vs. Vasco match.
In addition to the professional players, approximately 700 amateur athletes wear the Vasco da Gama uniform.
Vasco da Gama Football Club Merrits:
· Brazilian Champions 1974, 89, 97, 2000 Vasco da Gama Football Club Famous players:
· Ademir |