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 | |||
| Head coach | Ramón Díaz | |||
| 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 (soccer) team. This team plays in Brazil's top league, the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, and also in the Campeonato Paulista Série A1, which is the main state competition.
The club was started in 1910 by five railway workers. They were inspired by a team from London called Corinthian Football Club. Corinthians' home kit is white and black. Their crest, designed in 1939, shows the São Paulo state flag, 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 São Paulo teams: Palmeiras, São Paulo, and Santos.
Corinthians is one of the most popular teams in the world. It has over 30 million fans, making it the second most supported club in Brazil. It's also one of Brazil's most successful clubs. They have won seven national titles, three Copa do Brasil trophies, one Supercopa do Brasil title, and a record 30 São Paulo State championships.
Internationally, Corinthians won the first-ever FIFA Club World Championship in 2000. They won it again in 2012 after winning the Copa Libertadores de América 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: A Journey Through Time
How Corinthians Started (1910-1920s)
In 1910, most top football clubs in Brazil were for wealthy people. Workers and lower-class people were often left out. They had to create their own small teams.
Five railway workers from São Paulo decided to change this. Their names were Joaquim Ambrose, Anthony Pereira, Rafael Perrone, Anselmo Correia, and Carlos Silva. On August 31, 1910, they watched a London team called Corinthian F.C. play. Inspired, they decided to start their own club.
On September 1, 1910, they met with friends and neighbors. That night, they officially founded Sport Club Corinthians Paulista. Miguel Battaglia was chosen as the first president.
Corinthians played its first game on September 10, 1910. They lost 1-0 to União da Lapa. A few days later, on September 14, Luis Fabi scored the club's first goal. Corinthians won that game 2-0 against Estrela Polar.
The team quickly became popular and joined the Liga Paulista in 1913. Just one year later, in 1914, Corinthians won its first state championship. They won again in 1916. A banner at their first practice said, "This One Will Last," and it certainly did!
Becoming a Champion Team (1920s-1950s)
In 1922, Brazil celebrated 100 years of independence. This year also marked the start of Corinthians' dominance in the São Paulo State Championship. 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 a bit harder for the club. They won a championship in 1941 but then had to wait until 1951 for their next one.
The early 1950s were a golden age for Corinthians. In 1951, the team scored an amazing 103 goals in 30 matches. They won the São Paulo Championships in 1951, 1952, and 1954. During this time, they also won the Rio-São Paulo Championship three times (1950, 1953, and 1954). This tournament was becoming very important in Brazil.
In 1953, Corinthians won the Small Cup of the World in Venezuela. Many people see this as an early version of the Club World Cup. They won six games in a row against strong teams like Roma and Barcelona.
Breaking the Drought and New Success (1970s-2000s)
After 1954, Corinthians went through a long period without winning major titles. This "drought" lasted 23 years. Finally, in 1977, they won the São Paulo state championship again. This was a huge moment for the club and its fans.
In the early 1980s, players like Sócrates, Wladimir, and Casagrande led the team. They were known for their "Corinthians Democracy," where players had a say in club decisions. This was important during a time when Brazil was ending its military rule. In 1982, before an election, the team even wore jerseys that said "VOTE ON 15TH" to encourage people to vote.
In 1990, Corinthians won its first-ever 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. The club also won the state championship in 1995, 1997, and 1999. They won the national championship again in 1998 and 1999.
In 2000, Corinthians made history by winning the first FIFA Club World Cup. They beat Real Madrid in the semifinals and then won against Vasco da Gama in the final on penalties.
Ups and Downs, and More Glory (2000s-Present)
In 2002, Corinthians won the Torneio Rio-São Paulo and the Copa do Brasil. However, in early 2004, the club faced financial problems and poor performance. A new manager, Tite, and young players helped them improve.
In 2005, Corinthians signed a deal with a group of investors called Media Sports Investment (MSI). This brought many talented players like Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano to the team. Despite a slow start, they won their fourth Brazilian Championship in 2005.
The partnership with MSI ended, and in 2007, Corinthians was relegated to the second division for the first time. But they quickly bounced back! In 2008, they won the Serie B tournament and returned to the top division.
In 2009, the famous Brazilian player Ronaldo joined Corinthians. Led by Ronaldo, the club won its 26th Campeonato Paulista and its third Brazilian Cup. To celebrate 100 years, Corinthians also announced plans for a new stadium, the Arena Corinthians. In 2011, they won their fifth national title.
A huge moment came on July 4, 2012. Corinthians won its first-ever Copa Libertadores title! They were undefeated in the tournament and beat six-time champions Boca Juniors in the final. Later that year, on December 16, 2012, they won their second FIFA Club World Cup by defeating English club Chelsea 1-0 in the final.
Corinthians continued to win. They secured their sixth league title in 2015. In 2017, they won the Campeonato Paulista for the 28th time and their seventh league title. They had a historic season, not losing in their first 20 games. They won the state championship again in 2018 and 2019, making it 30 titles!
Recent years have seen mixed results. In 2020, they lost the state final to rivals Palmeiras. In 2022, they had a strong league season, finishing 4th. They reached the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals and the Brazilian Cup final, making it their best season since 2017. In 2023, they reached the Copa Sudamericana semifinals.
Club Identity: Colors and Badges
Team Colors
Corinthians is known for its black and white colors. But when the club first started, their shirts were cream-colored with black shorts. The cream color would fade to white after washing, which was too expensive. So, the official shirt color was quickly changed to white. In 1954, the traditional black uniform with thin white stripes was introduced. It has been the team's alternate uniform ever since.
Club Badge
The Corinthians shirt didn't have a badge until 1913. That's when the league required every team to have one. A simple design with the letters "C" (for Corinthians) and "P" (for Paulista) was quickly made. This was the club's first badge.
The badge has changed many times over the years. 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 it to include a rope, an anchor, and two oars. These symbols represent the club's early success in water sports.
Stars were added above the badge to celebrate national titles. A yellow star appeared in 1990 for their first national title. More stars were added for wins in 1998, 1999, and 2005. A larger star was added in 2000 for winning the first FIFA Club World Cup. 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 Makers and Sponsors
Nike has been making Corinthians' kits since 2003. Before that, other companies like Topper, Finta, and Penalty made their uniforms.
In 2023, Corinthians and Nike agreed to continue their partnership until 2029. This deal is worth a lot of money!
Corinthians has also had many different main sponsors over the years. These include companies like Bombril, Pepsi, Samsung, and Caixa. Since 2021, Neo Química has been a major sponsor, and Vaidebet.com joined in 2024.
Club Facilities: Where They Play and Train
Corinthians' Stadiums
Early Playing Fields
Corinthians first played in a vacant lot called Campo do Lenheiro ("Lumberjack's field"). The players themselves had to clean the field!
In 1918, Corinthians opened its first official football field, Ponte Grande. Players and fans helped build it. They played there until 1927.
Parque São Jorge: The Little Farm
In 1926, the club bought a new area called Parque São Jorge ("Saint George's Park"). This place was nicknamed Fazendinha ("Little Farm"). It became the club's main headquarters.
Over time, as Corinthians grew, the Fazendinha stadium became too small for big games. From the 1950s, it was mostly used for youth teams and friendly matches. Today, it's also the home ground for the women's football team.
Pacaembu Stadium
Corinthians also played many important matches at the Paulo Machado de Carvalho Stadium, better known as Pacaembu Stadium. It opened in 1940 and was once the largest stadium in Latin America. Corinthians played the opening match there and won 4-2. Pacaembu can now hold about 40,000 fans.
Neo Química Arena: The Modern Home
In 2010, it was announced that a new Corinthians stadium would be built. This stadium, the Arena Corinthians, would host the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. It's located in the Itaquera district of São Paulo.
On September 1, 2020, Corinthians' 110th anniversary, the stadium was officially renamed Neo Química Arena. This was part of a 20-year deal with Hypera Pharma, a large pharmaceutical company.
Training Facilities: CT Joaquim Grava
Corinthians opened its amazing training center in September 2010. It was named after Joaquim Grava, a long-time medical doctor for the club.
This training center has a 32-bedroom hotel for players. It also has a special complex for player movement studies (Lab Corinthians-R9, named after Ronaldo). There's also a center for player recovery and therapy. It even has basketball and volleyball courts! An extension is being built for the youth academy teams.
Club Culture: Fans and Rivals
The Faithful Fans
Corinthians fans are known as Fiel ("The Faithful"). They are famous for their passion and loyalty. One memorable moment was the "Corinthian Invasion" in 1976. Over 70,000 Corinthians fans traveled from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro to watch a semifinal match.
Fans are known for their strong support, even in tough times. When the club was relegated in 2007, fans showed incredible loyalty. This inspired a documentary called "Faithful" about their support.
Many fan groups, called "torcidas organizadas," are part of the club's culture. The largest is Gaviões da Fiel ("The Hawks of the Faithful"), founded in 1969. Other important groups include Camisa 12 and Coringão Chopp. These groups often support social and cultural activities and are involved in the Brazilian Carnival festivities.
Big Rivalries
Derby Paulista: Corinthians vs. Palmeiras
The Paulista Derby is a huge match between Corinthians and Palmeiras. It's considered one of the biggest rivalries in the world. Palmeiras was founded by former Corinthians members, which created a strong rivalry. The atmosphere at these games is always intense.
Clássico Majestoso: Corinthians vs. São Paulo
The Clássico Majestoso is another big rivalry, between Corinthians and São Paulo. Corinthians has the most fans in the state (25 million), while São Paulo is second (16 million). A memorable match for Corinthians fans was the 1990 Brazilian Championship final, which Corinthians won for their first national title.
Clássico Alvinegro: Corinthians vs. Santos
The Clássico Alvinegro is a regional rivalry between Corinthians and Santos. "Alvinegro" means "black and white," which are the colors both teams wear. A highlight of this rivalry was when Corinthians beat Santos in the 2012 Copa Libertadores semifinals.
Other Rivalries
Corinthians also has rivalries with Portuguesa (the "Derby of the Undefeated") and Ponte Preta. The "Classic of The Masses" is a rivalry with Flamengo, as they are the two most supported teams in Brazil. Corinthians and Vasco also have a rivalry, especially after their exciting match in the first FIFA Club World Cup final in 2000, which Corinthians won.
Club Symbols: The Musketeer and Saint George
The Musketeer Mascot
Corinthians' official mascot is the Musketeer. This symbol represents bravery and a fighting spirit. In 1913, when Corinthians joined the main São Paulo football league, three other teams were 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. Corinthians had to prove its bravery to join this group, which it did by winning important games.
Saint George: The Warrior Saint
Saint George is a very important symbol for Corinthians. He is a highly respected saint in Brazil. Fans see him as a "Warrior Saint" who protects those who believe in him. This warrior spirit is why Corinthians fans feel connected to Saint George.
The club's headquarters, bought in 1926, is located at Parque São Jorge (St. George Park) on Rua São Jorge. This created a strong link between the club and the saint.
During a long period without championships (1954-1977), fans felt blessed by Saint George. In the early 1960s, a chapel was built at the club in honor of the saint. This helped strengthen the club's spirit. In 1974, after a tough loss, a popular song about Corinthians mentioned Saint George, asking him for strength. In 2011, Corinthians even had a special burgundy kit with an image of Saint George on it.
Club Leadership
Current Board of Directors
| Country | Name | Position |
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Augusto Melo | President |
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Osmar Stabile | Vice-President |
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Armando José Terreri Rossi | Vice-President |
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Wesley Melo | Financial Director |
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José Colagrossi Neto | Marketing Director |
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Herói Vicente | Legal Director |
Team Players and Staff
First-Team Squad
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Academy Players
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Players on Loan to Other Teams
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Coaching and Management Team
| Coaching Staff | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | ||
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Ramón Díaz | Head coach | |
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Emiliano Díaz | Assistant coach | |
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Juan Romanazzi | Assistant coach | |
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Damian Paz | Performance analyst | |
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Diego Pereira | Fitness coach | |
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Leandro Serafim da Silva | Assistant fitness coach | |
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Marcelo Carpes | Goalkeeping coach | |
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Bruno Mazziotti | Medical Consultant | |
| Management Staff | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | ||
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Mauro da Silva | Technical Supervisor | |
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André Figueiredo | Academy Manager | |
Club Achievements: Trophies and Titles
Corinthians has won many important titles throughout its history. Here are some of their biggest achievements:
| Worldwide Titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| FIFA Club World Cup | 2 | 2000, 2012 |
| Continental Titles | ||
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| Copa Libertadores | 1 | 2012 |
| Recopa Sudamericana | 1 | 2013 |
| National Titles | ||
| 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 Titles | ||
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| Torneio Rio-São Paulo | 5s | 1950, 1953, 1954, 1966, 2002 |
| State Titles | ||
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| Campeonato Paulista | 30 | 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 |
| Copa Paulista | 1 | 1962 |
- record
- s shared record
Other Trophies
Corinthians has also won several other cups and friendly tournaments:
- Taça dos Campeões Estaduais RJ/SP (2): 1929, 1941
- Torneio Início (9): 1919, 1920, 1921, 1929, 1936, 1938, 1941, 1944, 1955
- Taça Competência (3): 1922, 1923, 1924
- Taça Cidade de São Paulo (5): 1942, 1943, 1947, 1948, 1952
- Torneio das Missões (1): 1953
- Taça Charles Miller (2): 1954, 1958
- Taça Piratininga (1): 1968
- Torneio Laudo Natel (1): 1973
- Copa Bandeirantes (1): 1994
- Small Club World Cup (1): 1953
- Torneio Internacional Charles Miller (1): 1955
- Copa do Atlântico (1): 1956
- Coppa Città di Torino (1): 1966
- Apollo V Trophy (1): 1969
- Trofeo Costa del Sol (1): 1969
- Copa Cidade de São Paulo (1): 1975
- Troféu Feira de Hidalgo (1): 1981
- Los Angeles Nations Cup (1): 1985
- Ramón de Carranza Trophy (1): 1996
- Torneio do Povo (1): 1971
Images for kids
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Rivellino, considered by many the greatest Corinthians' player of all time.
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Teleco was a superb Corinthians scorer, with 251 goals in 246 matches. He became the top scorer of the Paulista Championships of 1935, 1936, 1937, 1939 and 1941. His nickname was "O rei das viradas" (The king of comebacks).
In Spanish: Sport Club Corinthians Paulista para niños
- Corinthians (women's football)
- Corinthians (youth)
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- Corinthians (beach soccer)
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- Corinthians Steamrollers (american football)
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- List of world champion football clubs
