Sport Club Corinthians Paulista facts for kids
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| Full name | Sport Club Corinthians Paulista | |||
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| Nickname(s) | Timão (Reference to the club crest's naval elements) Coringão (Big Joker) Campeão dos Campeões (Champion of Champions) Time do Povo (The People's Team) Todo Poderoso (The Almighty) Alvinegro do Parque São Jorge (Black and White of Saint George Park) |
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| Founded | 1 September 1910 | |||
| Ground | Neo Química Arena | |||
| Capacity | 49,205 | |||
| President | Augusto Melo (suspended) Osmar Stabile (interim) |
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| Head coach | Dorival Júnior | |||
| League | Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Campeonato Paulista |
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| 2022 2023 |
Série A, 4th of 20 Paulista, 7th of 16 |
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Sport Club Corinthians Paulista is a famous Brazilian sports club from São Paulo. It's best known for its men's football team. This team plays in Brazil's top league, the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, and also in the main state competition, the Campeonato Paulista Série A1.
The club was started in 1910 by five railway workers. They were inspired by a team from London called Corinthian Football Club. Corinthians usually plays in white and black uniforms. Their badge, created in 1939, shows the São Paulo state flag, two oars, and an anchor. These symbols represent the club's early success in water sports.
Since 2014, Corinthians has played its home games at the Neo Química Arena. This stadium was used for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and hosted the opening match. Corinthians has big rivalries with other teams like Palmeiras, São Paulo, and Santos.
Corinthians is one of the most popular teams in the world, with over 30 million fans in Brazil. It's also one of Brazil's most successful clubs. They have won seven national titles, three Copa do Brasil trophies, and a record 31 São Paulo State championships.
Internationally, Corinthians won the first FIFA Club World Championship in 2000. They won it again in 2012 after becoming Copa Libertadores de América champions for the first time that same year. They also won a Recopa Sudamericana title. In 2017, Forbes magazine said Corinthians was the most valuable football club in the Americas.
Contents
Club History
How Corinthians Started
In 1910, many football clubs in São Paulo were only for rich people. Workers were left out. So, five railway workers from the Bom Retiro neighborhood decided to create their own club. Their names were Joaquim Ambrose, Anthony Pereira, Rafael Perrone, Anselmo Correia, and Carlos Silva.
On August 31, 1910, they watched a game played by a London team called Corinthian F.C.. After the game, they talked about their dream of starting a club. They decided to meet the next day to make it happen.
On September 1, 1910, at 8:30 PM, the five workers met with friends and neighbors. That night, they officially founded Sport Club Corinthians Paulista. Miguel Battaglia was chosen as the first club president.
Corinthians played its first game on September 10, 1910, against União da Lapa. They lost 1–0. A few days later, on September 14, Luis Fabi scored Corinthians' first goal. They won that game 2–0 against Estrela Polar.
Early Success and Growth
Because they played well and gained many fans, Corinthians joined the Liga Paulista in 1913. They played in the São Paulo State Championship for the first time. Just one year later, in 1914, Corinthians won its first championship. They won again two years later. When the club first started, a banner was put up saying, "This One Will Last," showing their determination.
In 1922, Brazil celebrated 100 years of independence. This year also marked the start of Corinthians' strong run in the São Paulo State Championship. Back then, football was mostly played in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. So, the champions of these two states were seen as the best in Brazil. Corinthians beat América, the Rio de Janeiro champion, and became one of Brazil's top teams.
They won three state championships in a row from 1922 to 1924. This happened again from 1928 to 1930 and from 1937 to 1939. The 1940s were harder, and they only won one championship in 1941 before winning again in 1951.
The Golden Fifties
In the early 1950s, Corinthians made history in the São Paulo Championship. In 1951, the team scored 103 goals in 30 matches, averaging 3.43 goals per game. They also won the São Paulo Championships in 1952 and 1954.
In this decade, Corinthians won the Rio-São Paulo Championship three times (1950, 1953, and 1954). This tournament was becoming very important because it included the best clubs from Brazil's two biggest football states.
In 1953, Corinthians won the Small Cup of the World in Venezuela. Many people see this as an early version of the FIFA Club World Cup. Corinthians won six games in a row against teams like Roma and Barcelona.
Breaking the Drought
After winning titles in 1954, Corinthians went a long time without a major championship. This "drought" finally ended in 1977 when they won the São Paulo state championship. This was a huge moment for the club and its fans.
Corinthians Democracy
In the early 1980s, Brazil was ending a military dictatorship. During this time, Corinthians players like Sócrates, Wladimir, and Casagrande started a movement called "Corinthians Democracy." The players and staff voted on all club decisions, from training to club policies.
In 1982, before an important election, the team wore jerseys that said "DIA 15 VOTE" (Vote on 15th). This encouraged more people to vote. In 1983, after winning the São Paulo state championship, they showed a banner saying, "Win or Lose, But Always with Democracy." This movement showed how football could be used to promote important ideas.
National and International Triumphs
In 1990, Corinthians won its first Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Brazil's national league title. They beat their rivals, São Paulo, in the final. The next year, they won the Supercopa do Brasil. In 1995, they won the Copa do Brasil for the first time.
In the 1990s, they also won the state championship in 1995, 1997, and 1999. They won the national championship again in 1998 and 1999. In 2000, Corinthians won the first-ever FIFA Club World Cup. They beat Real Madrid and then Vasco da Gama in the final.
In 2002, the club won the Rio-São Paulo Tournament and the Copa do Brasil.
Ups and Downs
In 2004, Corinthians faced tough times with financial problems and poor performance. However, new young players and a new coach, Tite, helped the team improve. They finished 5th in the Brazilian championship, earning a spot in the Copa Sudamericana.
The club then made a deal with an investment group called Media Sports Investment (MSI). This brought in talented players like Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano. In 2005, Corinthians won their fourth Brazilian Championship.
However, the partnership with MSI ended, and in 2007, Corinthians was relegated to the second division for the first time.
Return to Glory
Corinthians quickly bounced back, winning the Serie B tournament in 2008 and returning to the top division. In 2009, they signed the famous player Ronaldo. With Ronaldo, Corinthians won their 26th Campeonato Paulista and their third Brazilian Cup.
In 2011, Corinthians won its fifth national title. On July 4, 2012, Corinthians won its first Copa Libertadores title, beating Boca Juniors. Later that year, on December 16, 2012, they won their second FIFA Club World Cup by defeating English club Chelsea 1–0.
In 2015, the team won its sixth league title. In 2017, they won the Campeonato Paulista for the 28th time and their seventh league title. They continued their success by winning the Campeonato Paulista in 2018 and 2019, making it 30 state titles.
In 2020, Corinthians lost the state final to Palmeiras. In 2021, former player Willian returned to the club. In 2022, Corinthians had a strong season, finishing 4th in the league and reaching the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals and the Copa do Brasil final. In 2023, they reached the Copa Sudamericana semifinals.
Club Identity
Team Colors
Corinthians is known for its black and white colors. However, the first uniform was cream shirts and black shorts. The cream color faded when washed, so the club changed to white shirts. In 1954, the black uniform with thin white stripes was introduced as the away kit.
Club Badge
The Corinthians shirt didn't have a badge until 1913. A simple "C" and "P" (for Corinthians Paulista) was first used. In 1914, Hermogenes Barbuy designed the first official badge.
In 1919, a round shield with the São Paulo state flag was added. In 1939, artist Francisco Rebolo updated the badge to include a rope, an anchor, and two oars. These symbols represent the club's early success in water sports. The badge has had small changes since then.
For a while, yellow stars were added above the badge to celebrate national titles. A larger star was added for the 2000 FIFA Club World Cup win. However, in 2011, the club decided to remove all stars from the badge.
Badge evolution
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The first badge adopted by Corinthians (1913)
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The second badge, re-discovered by historians in 2011 (1914)
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The first official badge, designed by lithographer Hermogenes Barbuy (1914–1916)
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A first revision of the Barbuy's badge (1916)
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A second revision of the Barbuy's badge (1916–1919)
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Current version (1979–present)
Kit Sponsors
Nike has been making Corinthians' kits since 2003. They recently renewed their partnership until 2029. Many different companies have sponsored the club's jerseys over the years, including Pepsi, Samsung, and Caixa.
Club Facilities
Stadiums
Early Grounds
Corinthians first played in a field called Campo do Lenheiro in the Bom Retiro neighborhood. The players themselves had to prepare the field. In 1918, they opened their first official field, Ponte Grande, which was built by players and fans.
Parque São Jorge
In 1926, the club bought Parque São Jorge, also known as Fazendinha ("Little Farm"). This became the club's main headquarters. Over time, as the club grew, bigger stadiums were needed for most games. The Fazendinha is now mostly used for youth team matches and the women's football team.
Pacaembu
From the 1940s to 2014, Corinthians often played at the Paulo Machado de Carvalho Stadium, known as Pacaembu. It was once the largest stadium in Latin America.
Neo Química Arena
In 2010, it was announced that a new Corinthians stadium would be built in Itaquera, São Paulo. This stadium, the Arena Corinthians, would host the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
On September 1, 2020, the stadium was officially renamed Neo Química Arena as part of a long-term partnership with Hypera Pharma, a big pharmaceutical company.
Training Facilities
CT Joaquim Grava
Corinthians opened its modern training center in September 2010, for the club's 100th anniversary. It's named after Joaquim Grava, a long-time medical doctor for the club.
The facility has a hotel for players, a special complex for player movement studies, and a center for player recovery. It also has courts for basketball and volleyball.
Club Culture
Supporters
Corinthians fans are known as the Fiel ("Faithful"). They are famous for their passion and loyalty. A great example is the "Corinthian Invasion" in 1976, when over 70,000 fans traveled from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro for a match.
The club even made a documentary called "Faithful" to honor their fans' support during tough times, like when the team was relegated in 2007.
There are many fan organizations, like Gaviões da Fiel ("The Hawks of the Faithful"), which is one of the largest in Brazil. These groups actively support the club and are involved in social and cultural activities, including the Brazilian Carnival.
Politics and the Club
Between 1964 and 1985, Brazil was under a military dictatorship. During this time, Sport Club Corinthians Paulista became known for a unique political movement called Democracia Corinthiana. Starting in 1981, players like Sócrates and Wladimir decided that everyone in the team, including players and staff, would vote on all club decisions.
In 1982, the team wore shirts saying “Dia 15 Vote” to encourage people to vote in Brazil’s first multi-party elections in a long time. In 1983, after winning a championship, they held a banner that read “Win or Lose, But Always with Democracy.” This movement is a famous example of how sports can be used to promote important ideas like democracy.
Rivalries
Derby Paulista
The Derby Paulista is a huge rivalry between Corinthians and Palmeiras. It's considered one of the biggest rivalries in the world. This rivalry started in 1914 when a group of Italians left Corinthians to form Palmeiras. The games are always very intense.
Clássico Majestoso
The Clássico Majestoso is another big rivalry, between Corinthians and São Paulo. This rivalry began in 1935. Corinthians has the most fans in the state, and São Paulo is second. A memorable match for Corinthians fans was the 1990 Brazilian Championship final, which Corinthians won for their first national title.
Clássico Alvinegro
The Clássico Alvinegro is a rivalry between Corinthians and Santos. "Alvinegro" means "black and white," which are the colors both teams wear. A very important game in this rivalry was the 2012 Copa Libertadores Semi-Finals, which Corinthians won.
Other Rivalries
Corinthians also has rivalries with Portuguesa (Derby dos Invictos) and Ponte Preta. There's also the Classico das Multidões (Classic of The Masses) with Flamengo, as they are the two most supported teams in Brazil. Corinthians and Vasco da Gama also have a strong rivalry, especially after their exciting matches in the 2000 FIFA Club World Cup final and the 2012 Copa Libertadores.
Club Symbols
The Musketeer
Corinthians' official mascot is the Musketeer. This symbol represents bravery and a fighting spirit. In 1913, when Corinthians joined the Liga Paulista, there were three other main clubs known as the "three musketeers." Corinthians joined them as D'Artagnan, the fourth and most loved musketeer, just like in the famous book The Three Musketeers.
Saint George
Saint George (or Ogum in some Brazilian cultures) is a very important symbol for Corinthians. He is seen as a warrior saint who protects those who believe in him. This warrior spirit connects with Corinthians' history as a team for the working class.
The club's headquarters, bought in 1926, is located at Parque São Jorge (St. George Park). This helped connect the club even more to Saint George. During a tough period from 1954 to 1977, when Corinthians didn't win many titles, fans felt blessed by their "Warrior Saint." In the 1960s, a chapel was built at the club in honor of Saint George.
A famous song from 1974, "Oh Corinthians," mentions Saint George, asking for strength during difficult times. In 2011, Corinthians even had a special burgundy uniform that featured an image of Saint George.
Players and Staff
First-team squad
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Academy
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Out on loan
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Technical staff
| Coaching Staff | ||
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| Name | Position | |
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Dorival Júnior | Head coach |
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Lucas Silvestre | Assistant coach |
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Pedro Sotero | Assistant coach |
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Celso de Rezende | Fitness coach |
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Leandro Serafim da Silva | Assistant fitness coach |
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Marcelo Carpes | Goalkeeping coach |
| Management Staff | ||
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| Name | Position | |
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Mauro da Silva | Technical Supervisor |
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André Figueiredo | Academy Manager |
Club Achievements
Official Titles
| Worldwide | ||
|---|---|---|
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| FIFA Club World Cup | 2 | 2000, 2012 |
| Continental | ||
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| Copa Libertadores | 1 | 2012 |
| Recopa Sudamericana | 1 | 2013 |
| National | ||
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| Campeonato Brasileiro Série A | 7 | 1990, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2011, 2015, 2017 |
| Copa do Brasil | 3 | 1995, 2002, 2009 |
| Supercopa do Brasil | 1 | 1991 |
| Campeonato Brasileiro Série B | 1 | 2008 |
| Inter-state | ||
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| Torneio Rio-São Paulo | 5s | 1950, 1953, 1954, 1966, 2002 |
| State | ||
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| Campeonato Paulista | 31 | 1914, 1916, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2025 |
| Copa Paulista | 1 | 1962 |
- record
- s shared record
Youth Team Titles
- Copa do Brasil Sub-17 (1): 2016
- Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior (11): 1969, 1970, 1995, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2024
- Taça Belo Horizonte de Juniores (1): 2015
- Copa Rio Grande do Sul de Futebol Sub-20 (1): 2014
- Copa Votorantim Sub-15 (4): 2003, 2004, 2022, 2025
See also
In Spanish: Sport Club Corinthians Paulista para niños
- Sport Club Corinthians Paulista (women)
- Sport Club Corinthians Paulista (youth)
- Sport Club Corinthians Paulista (futsal)
- Sport Club Corinthians Paulista (beach soccer)
- Sport Club Corinthians Paulista (basketball)
- Corinthians Steamrollers (american football)
- Sport Club Corinthians Paulista (Superleague Formula team)
- List of world champion football clubs
