Founded in 1898, Clube de Regatas Vasco da Gama is a titan of Brazilian football, based in Rio de Janeiro and competing in the top-flight Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. The club plays its home matches at the iconic Estádio São Januário, one of the nation's most historic football cathedrals. Vasco da Gama was established as a rowing club, with its name honoring the famed Portuguese explorer, and it quickly embraced football, becoming a symbol of inclusivity by fielding players of all backgrounds during an era of social exclusion. The club's golden era is intrinsically linked to the late 1990s, when a squad featuring stars like Romário and Edmundo, known as the "Expresso da Vitória" revival, conquered the Copa Libertadores in 1998 and the Brazilian championship shortly thereafter. In the modern era, Vasco has experienced fluctuating fortunes, oscillating between Serie A and Serie B, but remains a massive institution with a fiercely loyal fanbase known as the "Vascaínos." The club's culture is defined by its motto, "Victory is our duty," and the deep, historic rivalry with Flamengo, Fluminense, and Botafogo that defines the Rio de Janeiro football landscape. Vasco da Gama stands as a club of immense tradition, social significance, and enduring passion.