Grêmio
Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense, commonly known as Grêmio, is a Brazilian professional football club founded in 1903 and based in Porto Alegre, the capital city of Rio Grande do Sul state. The club plays at the modern Arena do Grêmio, which opened in 2013 with a capacity of over 55,000. Currently competing in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and Campeonato Gaúcho, Grêmio has achieved remarkable success throughout its history, including winning the Intercontinental Cup in 1983, three Copa Libertadores titles (1983, 1995, 2017), two Campeonato Brasileiro championships, and five Copa do Brasil trophies. The club is recognized as one of the most successful teams in South American football and maintains one of Brazil's fiercest rivalries with Internacional in matches known as Grenais.
History
Overview
General information about the club
Grêmio was founded on September 15, 1903, by businessman Cândido Dias da Silva and 32 other men, mostly from Porto Alegre's large German immigrant community. The club's formation was inspired by a football exhibition match played by Sport Club Rio Grande on September 7, 1903. When the ball deflated during the match, Cândido Dias lent his own football to continue the game, sparking conversations about establishing a local football club. The founding meeting took place at Salão Grau restaurant, where Carlos Luiz Bohrer was elected as the first president.
Most recent season and achievements
In 2024, Grêmio won the Campeonato Gaúcho for the seventh consecutive time under manager Renato Gaúcho. The club's recent years have been marked by significant achievements, including the signing of international star Luis Suárez in December 2022, who helped the team secure the 2023 Campeonato Gaúcho and achieve second place in the 2023 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, qualifying for the 2024 Copa Libertadores.
History
Early years
Grêmio's first match took place on March 6, 1904, against Fuss Ball Porto Alegre, which they won 1-0. The club quickly established itself in local football, inaugurating the Baixada stadium within five months of its founding. A memorable early moment came on July 18, 1909, when Grêmio defeated Internacional 10-0 in their rival's debut game, with goalkeeper Kallfelz reportedly leaving his post to chat with fans during the match. This victory marked the beginning of one of football's most intense rivalries.
The club became a founding member of the Porto Alegre football league in 1910 and won their first league title in 1911. On August 25, 1912, Grêmio achieved their biggest victory ever, defeating Sport Clube Nacional 23-0, with Sisson scoring 14 goals. In 1918, the club helped establish the Fundação Rio-Grandense de Desportes and won their first state championship in 1921.
Successful period
The 1980s marked Grêmio's golden era in South American football. In 1981, the club won their first Campeonato Brasileiro, defeating São Paulo in the final with striker Baltazar scoring the decisive goal. The pinnacle came in 1983 when Grêmio won the Copa Libertadores, overcoming Peñarol in the final with César scoring the winning goal. Later that year, they captured the Intercontinental Cup, defeating Hamburger SV 2-1 with Renato Portaluppi scoring both goals.
Under coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, Grêmio won their second Copa Libertadores in 1995, defeating Atlético Nacional of Colombia. The tournament featured an epic quarter-final against Palmeiras, where Mário Jardel scored a hat-trick in a 5-0 first-leg victory. The club also won their second Campeonato Brasileiro in 1996 and captured multiple Copa do Brasil titles in 1989, 1994, 1997, and 2001.
Crisis and recovery
The early 2000s brought financial difficulties when sports marketing firm International Sport and Leisure (ISL) went bankrupt in 2001, leaving Grêmio with substantial debt. Poor performance led to relegation to Série B in 2004. The promotion battle culminated in the famous "Battle of the Aflitos" against Náutico on November 26, 2005, where Grêmio had four players sent off but won 1-0 through 17-year-old Anderson's goal, securing promotion back to the top division.
In 2007, Grêmio reached the Copa Libertadores final but lost to Boca Juniors despite massive fan support. The team's resilient home performances during this campaign earned them the nickname "Imortal Tricolor."
Current period
Renato Portaluppi returned as coach in 2016 and led Grêmio to their fifth Copa do Brasil title. In 2017, the club won their third Copa Libertadores, defeating Club Atlético Lanús in the final, with Luan named player of the tournament. They subsequently reached the FIFA Club World Cup final, losing to Real Madrid.
After a brief relegation to Série B in 2021, Grêmio returned to the top flight in 2023. The signing of Luis Suárez brought global attention, and the Uruguayan striker scored a hat-trick on his debut, helping secure another Campeonato Gaúcho title.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
Grêmio has won two Campeonato Brasileiro Série A titles (1981, 1996), one Campeonato Brasileiro Série B championship (2022), and five Copa do Brasil trophies (1989, 1994, 1997, 2001, 2016). At the state level, they have captured 43 Campeonato Gaúcho titles, demonstrating their dominance in Rio Grande do Sul football. The club has also won one Supercopa do Brasil and one Copa Sul.
Continental and global competitions
Internationally, Grêmio has achieved remarkable success with three Copa Libertadores titles (1983, 1995, 2017), tying them with São Paulo, Santos, Palmeiras, and Flamengo for the most among Brazilian clubs. They won the prestigious Intercontinental Cup in 1983 and have captured two Recopa Sudamericana titles. The club also won the Sanwa Bank Cup in 1995 and reached the FIFA Club World Cup final in 2017.
Symbols and Colors
Current logo and logo history
According to the club, Grêmio's stars represent different achievements: the gold star symbolizes their World Club Championship victory, the silver star represents their three South American competition victories, and the bronze star represents their national competitions. Additionally, a gold star on the club's flag honors Everaldo, the sole Grêmio player in Brazil's 1970 World Cup-winning team.
The club's first flag was unveiled during the opening ceremony of the Baixada stadium, featuring horizontal stripes of blue, black, and white with a medallion. From 1918 to 1944, the Brazilian flag inspired Grêmio's standard design.
Traditional home and away kits colors
Grêmio's tricolor scheme consists of blue, black, and white - an unusual combination for football shirts. The original kit was inspired by English club Exeter City and included a black cap, striped shirt in blue and havana (brown), white tie, white shorts, and black socks. The uniform evolved to blue and black due to fabric availability, with vertical white stripes added later to create the distinctive pattern used today.
The club statute defines the official colors as: home colors featuring vertical stripes of light blue and black with white piping; away colors in white with blue and black details; and alternative colors in dark blue or blue with white details.
Traditional club anthem
Grêmio's anthem is considered one of the most critically acclaimed in Brazilian football. Composed by renowned musician Lupicínio Rodrigues, it features a vivid melody in march style with famous verses: "Até a pé nós iremos / para o que der e vier / mas o certo é que nós estaremos / com o Grêmio onde o Grêmio estiver" (Even on foot we will go / against all obstacles / but we sure will be / with Grêmio wherever Grêmio may be). The anthem immortalizes goalkeeper Eurico Lara, calling him the "craque imortal" (immortal idol).
Traditional Rivals
Internacional
The rivalry between Grêmio and Internacional is widely regarded as one of the fiercest in Brazil and the world. Matches between these Porto Alegre clubs are known as Grenais (or Grenal in singular form). The rivalry began with Grêmio's historic 10-0 victory in Internacional's debut match on July 18, 1909. This rivalry divides Rio Grande do Sul state and Porto Alegre city in half, accompanied by high levels of emotion, competition, and occasional violence.
A tragic moment in this rivalry occurred in 1935 when Grêmio goalkeeper Eurico Lara made a spectacular penalty save against Internacional despite his doctor's warnings about overexertion. Though Grêmio won the match, Lara died two months later from fatigue related to that game, becoming immortalized in the club's anthem.
Juventude
The Gre-Ju rivalry exists between Grêmio and Juventude from Caxias do Sul. While historically one-sided due to Juventude's traditionally weaker status, the rivalry intensified in the 1990s as Juventude emerged as Rio Grande do Sul's third powerhouse.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Sponsors
Grêmio received their first official sponsor in the early 1980s with Brazilian company Olympikus. The partnership was followed by a brief stint with German brand Adidas in 1983, then Penalty from 1985. In 1987, Coca-Cola became the first shirt sponsor, notably changing their traditional red logo to black to avoid Internacional's colors. Subsequent sponsors have included Tintas Renner, General Motors, Banrisul, and equipment suppliers like Kappa, Puma, Topper, and Umbro.
Nicknames
Grêmio is commonly referred to as "Tricolor" due to their three-colored kit. The club's mascot is the Musketeer, created by cartoonist Pompeo in 1946, inspired by Alexandre Dumas's "The Three Musketeers." The mascot symbolizes unity between players, management, and fans, representing bravery and determination. In December 2023, the club introduced a second mascot, "Flecha Negra," inspired by club legend Tarciso Flecha Negra.
Ownership and finances
In 2017, Grêmio was ranked first in the CBF club rankings and listed by Forbes as the third most valuable football club in the Americas with an estimated value of $295.5 million. The club has faced financial challenges, particularly following the ISL bankruptcy in 2001, but has maintained its status as one of Brazil's premier football institutions.
Traditions and culture
Grêmio fans are called "gremistas" or "tricolores." The club originally drew heavy support from Rio Grande do Sul's German immigrant community, though the fan base has diversified over time. The club motto "com o Grêmio onde o Grêmio estiver" ("with Grêmio wherever Grêmio may be") first appeared in 1946 and was later incorporated into the official anthem. Grêmio supporters boast that their team has never played without fan support anywhere in the world.
The largest supporter group is Geral do Grêmio, Brazil's first barra brava movement, created in 2001. This group is known for their "avalanche" celebration, running down the stands when goals are scored. Other notable supporter groups include Torcida Jovem do Grêmio, founded in 1977, and historically important groups like Coligay, recognized as Brazil's first LGBT supporter group.
Stadium
Grêmio's current home is the Arena do Grêmio, inaugurated in 2013 with a capacity of 55,225. This modern venue is one of the most advanced in South America and hosted the 2017 Copa Libertadores final first leg. The club previously played at Estádio da Baixada (1904-1954) in the Moinhos de Vento neighborhood and Estádio Olímpico Monumental (1954-2013) in Azenha, which had an attendance record of 98,421 for a match against Ponte Preta in 1981.
The club also operates the CT Luiz Carvalho training center, located adjacent to Arena do Grêmio with scenic views of the Guaíba River, and rents Estádio Antônio Vieira Ramos in Gravataí for their women's team.