Maricá FC Makes Carioca Debut with Reinaldo as Coach

Maricá FC, a young club from the Região dos Lagos, will make its debut in the Campeonato Carioca‘s elite division this Saturday, January 11, 2025, against Botafogo. Founded in 2017, the club’s rise to prominence has been led by head coach Reinaldo, a former striker for Flamengo, São Paulo, Santos, and PSG, among others. The match will take place at the Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Reinaldo, who began his coaching career in 2020 after retiring as a player, has been instrumental in Maricá’s recent success. Under his leadership, the club won the Série A2 title in 2024, securing promotion to the top tier of the Carioca Championship. Additionally, Maricá claimed the Copa Rio, earning a spot in the 2025 Série D of the Campeonato Brasileiro.

The club’s mascot, the “Lobisomem do Bambuí,” is inspired by a local folklore tale about a werewolf that allegedly appears in the rural Bambuí neighborhood during full moons. The legend has even inspired a funk song by local MC Meia Noite. “This story was the inspiration for the mascot, which will haunt our opponents,” said Douglas Oliveira, Maricá’s football director.

Maricá’s president, Arlen Pereira, emphasized the club’s humble approach to its debut season. “I always say: a new duck doesn’t dive deep. We arrive with our feet on the ground, believing in our work. We work extremely hard,” Pereira told UOL. The club has retained 80% of its 2024 squad, which achieved a “Triple Crown” by winning the Taça Santos Dumont, Série A2, and Copa Rio.

Reinaldo’s connection to Maricá is deeply personal. Douglas Oliveira, the club’s football director, was the same man who discovered Reinaldo as a young player and brought him to Flamengo’s youth academy. “It’s a movie-like story. Douglas is a fantastic professional who coordinates our football operations. He was the first coach to discover Reinaldo and take him to Flamengo,” Pereira added.

Despite a challenging start in 2023, when the team narrowly avoided relegation in Série A2, Reinaldo’s consistent work ethic and tactical acumen earned the trust of the board. “The biggest success was keeping him during that difficult period. His serious and consistent work was fundamental to our achievements in 2024,” Oliveira said.

Maricá’s modest budget of R$550,000 per month is supported by sponsorships, broadcasting rights, and merchandise sales. The club has also received municipal support, including the recent inauguration of the João Saldanha Stadium, which seats 3,000 spectators. While the stadium won’t host matches against Rio’s traditional powerhouses, it symbolizes the club’s growing ambitions.

Looking ahead, Maricá aims to maintain its position in the Carioca elite and compete for promotion to Série C in the Campeonato Brasileiro. With 11 new signings, including four foreign players, the club is poised for a strong season. “Our goal is to stay in the top division and, if possible, reach the semifinals,” Oliveira said.