S.C. Corinthians Paulista

History

In 1910, several professional football clubs were formed among the higher echelons of São Paulo society. Among them were Club Athletico Paulistano, São Paulo Athletic Club, & Associação Atlética das Palmeiras. The lower classes, excluded from these clubs due to socioeconomic division, founded their own clubs and only played "floodplain" football.

Bucking the trend, a group of five workers of the São Paulo Railway, them being, Joaquim Ambrose and Anthony Pereira (wall painters), Rafael Perrone (shoemaker), Anselmo Correia (driver) and Carlos Silva (general laborer), residents of the neighborhood of Bom Retiro. It was 31 August 1910 when these workers were watching a match featuring a London-based club touring Brazil, Corinthian F.C. After the match, while the group returned home, the men talked about partnerships, business ideas, and general dreams of grandeur. They each surfaced one idea: the foundation of a club, after several exchanges in a lively argument, a common ground led those athletes the same dream. The arguments led to the conclusion that they would meet the next day to make their dream into reality.

On 1 September 1910, the group agreed to meet after sundown in public sight. That night at 20:30 BRT (23:30 GMT), on Rua José Paulino ("Rua dos Imigrantes"; Immigrants Street), the five workers reunited alongside their guest and neighbors from Bom Retiro. That night the club was founded, alongside its board of directors, who elected Miguel Battaglia as the first Club President.

Corinthians played their first match on 10 September 1910, away against União da Lapa, a respected amateur club in São Paulo, and they were defeated by 1–0.

On 14 September, Luis Fabi scored Corinthians' first goal against Estrela Polar, another amateur club in the city, and Corinthians won their first game (2–0).

With good results and an increasing number of supporters, Corinthians joined the Liga Paulista, after winning two qualifying games, and played in the São Paulo State Championship for the first time, in 1913. Just one year after joining the league, Corinthians was crowned champion for the first time (in 1914), and were again two years later. There were many fly-by-night teams popping up in São Paulo at the time, and during the first practice held by Corinthians a banner was placed by the side of the field stating "This One Will Last".

Visual identity

Colours

Even though the club has been recognized by the colors black and white for most of their history, the first Corinthians' kit originally consisted of cream shirts and black shorts. Back then, the choice of colors proved wrong, as the cream color would gradually fade white when the shirts were washed, representing a cost a recently created club could not afford. Thus, early after the foundation, the official shirt colors were changed to white. In 1954 the traditional black with thin white stripes uniform was introduced, and became the alternative uniform since then.

Badge

The Corinthians shirt had no badge or crest until 1913, when the club joined the Liga Paulista, that mandated that every club in the competition should have one in their uniforms. A simple composition of the letters C (Corinthians) and P (Paulista) was hastily created and embroidered on the players uniforms for the upcoming matches, thus being considered the club's first de facto badge.

Unlike the kit, the badge went through several changes over the years. In 1914, lithographer Hermogenes Barbuy, brother of then-player Amilcar Barbuy designed the club's first official badge, which premiered at a friendly against Torino (Italy), in São Paulo. In 1919, the round shield with the São Paulo state flag was introduced, and modified in 1939 by modernist painter Francisco Rebolo, a former reserve player of the club in the 1920s, to include a string, an anchor and two oars, representing the early success the club achieved in nautical sports. Thereafter, the badge passed through small changes over time, specifically in the flag and in the frame.

In 1990, a yellow star was added above the badge to celebrate Corinthians' first national title. The same would occur when achieving the national titles in 1998, 1999 and 2005, and a larger star was introduced in 2000 after winning the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup. The stars remained as part of the badge until 2011, when the board decided the badge would not present any stars in the future.

Badge evolution

Kit suppliers and sponsors

Nike is the manufacturer of the club's kit since 2003. Previous manufacturers have been: Topper (1980–1989, 1999–2002), Finta (1990–1994) and Penalty (1995–1998).

In 2023, Corinthians and Nike have reached a 12-year U$115 million deal to renew their partnership until 2029.

Previous main sponsors have been: Bombril (1982), Cofap (1983), Citizen (1984), Bic (1984), Corona (1984), Kalunga (1985–1994), Suvinil (1995–1996), Banco Excel (1996–1998), Embratel (1998), Batavo (1999–2000; 2009), Pepsi (2000–2004), Samsung (2005–2007), Medial Saúde (2008), Hypermarcas (2009–2012), Iveco (2012), Caixa (2012–2017), Banco BMG (2019–2021), Neo Química (2021–2024), Vaidebet (2024), and Esportes da Sorte.

Facilities

Stadiums

The first playing ground Corinthians used was located in the neighborhood of Bom Retiro (where the club was founded in 1910), in a vacant lot owned by a firewood seller, from which it got its nickname: Campo do Lenheiro ("Lumberjack's field"). It was the time of the floodplain and the players themselves had to clean and flatten the lawn.

In January 1918, Corinthians inaugurated its first official football field, Ponte Grande, on the banks of Tiete River. The land was leased from the municipality under the influence of the intellectual Antonio de Alcantara Machado, one of the first to approach the club workers. It was built by the players and fans in a community helping system. The Corinthians played their games there until 1927, upon the completion of their first stadium. It was then donated to São Bento.

In 1926, the club purchased Parque São Jorge ("Saint George's Park"), located within the Tatuapé district of the city, belonging to then rivals Esporte Clube Sírio, After purchasing, President Ernesto Cassano decided to reform the stage, with financial support from the members.

The renovated Parque São Jorge, still without floodlights, was inaugurated on 22 July, in a friendly game against América-RJ that ended in a 2–2 draw. The land purchased included a Syrian farm - hence the nickname Fazendinha ("Little Farm"), still used today. It was from here that the Corinthians began to develop and could build up its headquarters.

Due to their growing number of fans, Estádio Alfredo Schürig (the official name of "Fazendinha") and the commissioning of city-owned Pacaembu in the 1940s, from the 1950s the stadium was mostly used for Academy level competitions and friendly matches. The last first team match played there was a friendly against Brasiliense on 3 August 2002. Since 1997, it is also the home ground of the professional women's football team.

The club has established a relationship with Paulo Machado de Carvalho Stadium, which belongs to the municipality of São Paulo and is best known as Pacaembu Stadium, inaugurated in 1940 as the largest stadium in Latin America with a capacity of more than 70,000 people, in a double-fixture that pitted rivals Palestra Italia against Coritiba in the preliminary match and then current three-time state champion Corinthians against Atlético Mineiro, in a match Corinthians won by 4–2. Currently, the Pacaembu has capacity for up to 40,000 spectators.

Training facilities

Corinthians inaugurated their state-of-the-art training facilities in September, 2010 during the celebrations of the club's 100th anniversary. The training facilities were named after long-time associate and consulting medical doctor, Joaquim Grava, that oversaw the medical department construction.

The training facilities feature a 32 bedroom hotel for the players, a bio-mechanics complex (Lab Corinthians-R9. named after Brazilian legend Ronaldo), a center for player rehabilitation and therapy (CePROO, named after fan and journalist Osmar de Oliveira), basketball and volleyball courts (approved by FIBA and FIVB for official matches), as well as other amenities.

An extension to be used by the academy teams is currently under construction.

Club culture

Supporters

The Corinthians fan base is called the Fiel ("Faithful"), starring in memorable moments like the "Corinthian Invasion" (pt / Invasão Corinthiana) in 1976, when more than 70,000 Corinthians Fans traveled from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro to watch the match against Fluminense at Maracanã Stadium, in that year's national championship semifinals, as well as having one of the biggest average attendances in the country. The passion and loyalty the fans had for the team motivated the club to make a tribute documentary to their fans, named "Faithful" (pt / Fiel), highlighting the fans' support in one of the most difficult moments in the club's history: the relegation to national second division in 2007. Similar initiatives would be made in the next years, reflecting other moments in the club's history in that the fanbase was essential.

Integral to the club culture are the fan organizations ("torcidas organizadas") such as Gaviões da Fiel ("The Hawks of the Faithful"), founded in 1969 by fans attempting to recover political and administrative control of the club and now the largest of such organizations in Brazil with almost 100,000 associates. Camisa 12 ("The 12th Shirt", founded in 1971), Estopim da Fiel ("Faithful's Fuse", 1979), Coringão Chopp ("Corinthians Draught Beer", 1989), Pavilhão Nove ("Pavilion Nine", 1990), and Fiel Macabra ("Macabre Faithful", 1993) are other important fan organizations that have been actively supporting social and cultural activities representing the club.

Many of the groups above have established branches for fans living outside of São Paulo city, out-state and even internationally. Most are also involved in the Brazilian Carnival festivities, most famously Gaviões da Fiel, one of the most important Carnival of São Paulo samba schools, having won the contest 4 times, the most among groups of football supporters.

Politics

Between 1964 and 1985, Brazil was under a military dictatorship that restricted civil liberties and suppressed democratic participation. It was against this backdrop that Sport Club Corinthians Paulista became the centre of a rare political experiment known as Democracia Corinthiana. Initiated in 1981 by sports director Adílson Monteiro Alves and embraced by players such as Sócrates, Wladimir and Casagrande, the movement implemented direct democratic practices within the team, allowing players and staff to vote on all decisions, from training schedules to club policy. In 1982, the squad wore shirts printed with the slogan “Dia 15 Vote” to promote participation in Brazil's first multiparty elections since the coup. In 1983, after winning the São Paulo state championship, the team unfurled a banner reading “Ganhar ou Perder, Mas Sempre com Democracia” ("Win or Lose, But Always with Democracy"). In April 1984, Sócrates addressed a crowd of over two million at a Diretas Já rally and pledged to leave Brazil if Congress failed to approve direct presidential elections. The amendment was defeated, and Sócrates transferred to ACF Fiorentina in Italy. The military regime in Brazil collapsed in 1985, and the Democracia Corinthiana movement remains one of the most significant examples of political activism within football, and a defining period in Corinthians’ history.

Rivalries

Derby Paulista is a crosstown fixture between Corinthians and Palmeiras, consistently cited as one of the greatest rivalries worldwide by sources including FIFA and CNN. Palmeiras was founded by a group of Italians who were formerly members of Corinthians. Since 1914, when that act was taken, a deep rivalry was born. The Derby atmosphere is fierce on and off the pitch, as violence is common between the clubs.

Clássico Majestoso is a crosstown fixture between Corinthians and São Paulo. The Derby dates back to 1935, at the final re-founding São Paulo after being thrice defunct. Corinthians possesses the largest number of supporters in the state (25 million), whereas São Paulo's lies in second place (16 Million). The Clássico's most memorable match for Corinthians is the 1990 Campenato Brasileiro finals, which led to Corinthians first national title.

Clássico Alvinegro is a regional fixture between Corinthians and Santos. 'Alvinegro' is given after the colors worn by both teams, black and white (Alvi, from Latin albus, white, and negro, black). The Classico reached one of its highest stages for Corinthians supporters when Corinthians met Santos in the Semi-Finals of Libertadores 2012. Corinthians won 2–1 on aggregate.

Derby dos Invictos (Derby of the Undefeated), Corinthians and Portuguesa is a crosstown rivalry. Corinthians vs Ponte Preta is an in-state rivalry that peaked in the 1977 Campeonato Paulista final, which led to Ponte Preta's greatest Paulista Finish (runner-up). Classico das Multidões (Classic of The Masses) is an inter-state rivalry pegging the two most supported teams in Brazil: Corinthians and Flamengo. Corinthians and Vasco led to great match ups and some rivalry recently, mostly after Vasco winning the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 1997 and 2000, and Corinthians in 1998 and 1999. Their greatest match coincided with the 2000 FIFA Club World Cup final, with a Corinthians victory in the penalty shootout. Corinthians also won the 2011 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in the last round of the season, two points over Vasco. Corinthians and Vasco arrived as favorites to win the 2012 Copa Libertadores, but ended up facing each other in the quarterfinals, won by Corinthians and who would eventually win the competition.

Symbology

Corinthians' official mascot is the Musketeer, a symbol of bravery, audacity and fighting spirit. The adoption of that character recalls the first years of the club.

In 1913 most of the leading football clubs in São Paulo State founded the APEA (Paulista Athletic Sports Association). The depleted Paulista League was left with only Americano, Germania and Internacional, known as the "three musketeers" of São Paulo football. Corinthians joined the three as D'Artagnan, being the fourth and most adored musketeer, just like in Alexandre Dumas, père's novel The Three Musketeers. To be accepted in that "musketeers universe", Corinthians had to show their bravery. As there was many other teams who coveted the spot in the Liga Paulista, Corinthians participated in a selective tournament against Minas Gerais and São Paulo, two other great teams of Paulista amateur football at that time. The Corinthian team beat Minas 1–0 and São Paulo 4–0, earning acceptance into the group and acquiring the right to participate in the Special Division of the Paulista League in the following year.

An important symbol for Corinthians is Saint George/(Ogum). Saint George is one of the most revered Catholic Saints in Brazil, a nation with a blend of cultures. The collusion between African & European cultures is seen in Brazil's definition of São Jorge as a mash between Catholicism & Western African Mythology. The comparison may be drawn the entities similar characteristics; St George, the soldier who protects those who pray to him; Ogum God of War who serves the communities who believe in him. it is this warrior demeanor that made Corinthians fans indebted to São Jorge.

Corinthians began as a small team for the lower classes of São Paulo, even though they obtained initial success. Lack of respect for the working class forced Corinthians to leave their São Paulo State Football League in protest. after multiple championships Timão made its largest leap in prestige in the founding of a Corinthians' Headquarters, 1926. The creation of said headquarters became the first fusion of Timão & São Jorge. The land purchased for the headquarters was formerly Parque São Jorge (St. George Park) at 777 Rua São Jorge, Tatuapé, São Paulo, SP.

Corinthians support for São Jorge became fanatical during the decade of the 60's, Between 1954 and 1977, Corinthians failed to add to its gallery of conquests and the Corinthian Nation lived the hardest moments of its history. While the stream struggled in the 60's, fan recanted that they were blessed by a "Santo Guerreiro" (Warrior Saint). In the early 60's the lack of success lingered in the minds of fans & gave birth to a utilization of the blessings of São Jorge. this caused Corinthians to erect a chapel in honor of the saint, in order to strengthen the clubs resolve via mysticism. 1969, after the death of two players Lidu & Eduardo, the funeral was held in Capela São Jorge, & strengthened the clubs identity at a time when championships were non-existent. 1974 Paulista Final, after a heart-wrenching loss to arch-rival Palmeiras, composer Paulinho Nogueira recorded "Oh Corinthians", a song that had popular commercial success at the time. In the verses of the composition dedicated to the suffering Corinthians could not miss the quote to the patron Saint George:

Board of directors

Players and staff

First-team squad

As of 13 September 2026

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Academy

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Honours

Official tournaments

s shared record

Others tournaments

Small Club World Cup (1): 1953

Torneio Internacional Charles Miller (1): 1955

Copa do Atlântico (1): 1956

City of Turin Cup (1): 1966

Apollo V Trophy (1): 1969

Trofeo Costa del Sol (1): 1969

Copa Cidade de São Paulo (1): 1975

Hidalgo Fair Trophy (1): 1981

Los Angeles Nations Cup (1): 1985

Torneio Internacional de Verão Cidade de Santos (2): 1986, 1987

Ramón de Carranza Trophy (1): 1996

Troféu Sócrates (1): 2015

Char de la Victoire e Taça Vada (1): 1928

Taça Apea (1): 1930

Taça dos Campeões Estaduais Rio–São Paulo (2): 1929, 1941

Taça Aliança da Bahia (1): 1936

Taça Prefeitura de Salvador (1): 1936

Taça Linha Circular (1): 1938

Taça Supremacia/Torneio Quinela de Ouro (1): 1942

Taça o Mais Querido do Brasil (1): 1955

Torneio de Brasília (1): 1958

Runners-up

Copa Rio (1): 1952

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (3): 1976, 1994, 2002

Copa do Brasil (4): 2001, 2008, 2018, 2022

Torneio Rio–São Paulo (3): 1951, 1963, 1993

Campeonato Paulista (21): 1918, 1925, 1936, 1942, 1943, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955, 1962, 1966, 1968, 1974, 1984, 1987, 1991, 1993, 1998, 2005, 2011, 2020

Campeonato Paulista Extra (1): 1938

Youth team

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

Awards

Fita Azul (1): 1952

Fita Azul do Futebol Brasileiro (Brazilian Football Blue Ribbon) was an award given for the club which succeeds in an excursion out of the country.