Applying European benchmarks to support strategic planning

Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, one of the most successful and commercially advanced clubs in Brazil, have increasingly looked beyond its domestic market to inform strategic decisions. 

With ambitions to strengthen its position both regionally and in the wider football economy, Flamengo have adopted a more outward-looking approach — using Off The Pitch to benchmark its operations against leading European clubs.

The club’s leadership uses Off The Pitch to better understand how Europe’s top teams approach key areas such as player investment, wage structures, and squad development.

"Off The Pitch provides us with a clear view of how top clubs across Europe are operating. This context is essential as we look to align Flamengo’s strategy with global standards while continuing to lead in Brazil."
— Fernando Goes, CFO, Clube de Regatas do Flamengo

How the insights are used

Flamengo incorporates Off The Pitch’s insights across both football and business operations, supporting more informed and strategic decision-making in several key areas:

• Squad cost benchmarking: Flamengo use wage and transfer spend data from peer clubs across Europe to assess how efficiently it is investing in its squad. This helps the club identify areas where it may be over- or under-investing relative to performance, and to fine-tune its resource allocation accordingly.
• Transfer market analysis: The club track trends in transfer fees by age, position and league to inform both short- and long-term recruitment strategy. This enables Flamengo to identify undervalued markets, anticipate shifts in player value, and stay ahead of competition when targeting international talent.
• Contract planning and wage structure: External benchmarks on salary levels by position and club profile help Flamengo build internal salary models that are competitive but sustainable. This supports negotiations with agents and players, particularly when dealing with returnees from Europe or retaining high-potential talent.
• Board-level financial planning: Financial benchmarks from European clubs are used to contextualise Flamengo’s budgeting, particularly in scenarios such as long-term forecasting, infrastructure investment, or preparing for increased international exposure.
• Market positioning: With greater clarity on how European clubs of a similar size or stature operate, Flamengo can more confidently position itself when speaking with external stakeholders, including sponsors, media partners, and investors.