Palmeiras
Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras, commonly known as Palmeiras, is a Brazilian professional football club founded on 26 August 1914 in São Paulo, Brazil. The club plays at the Allianz Parque stadium and competes in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Brazil's top football division. Palmeiras is one of the most successful clubs in Brazilian football history, having won 18 top-tier national competitions including a record 12 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A titles, 4 Copas do Brasil, and multiple international trophies including three Copa Libertadores titles (1999, 2020, 2021). The club was originally founded by Italian immigrants as "Palestra Itália" before changing its name to Palmeiras in 1942 due to Brazil's involvement in World War II.
History
Overview
General information about the club
Palmeiras is based in the district of Perdizes in São Paulo and is one of the most popular clubs in South America, with approximately 21 million supporters and 198,656 affiliated fans. The club competes in both the Campeonato Paulista (São Paulo state championship) and the Brasileirão Série A. Beyond football, Palmeiras maintains athletic departments in more than a dozen different sports including basketball, roller hockey, American football, archery, and karate.
Most recent season and achievements
In recent years, Palmeiras has established itself as a dominant force in South American football. The club currently occupies the second position in CBF rankings and first position in CONMEBOL rankings. In 2021, Palmeiras became the first Brazilian club to win the IFFHS Men's Club World Ranking. The club has maintained a tradition of having players in every Brazilian World Cup squad and Olympic gold medal team, an honor shared only with cross-city rivals São Paulo.
History
Early years
At the beginning of the 20th century, several young Italians decided to start a club to represent the Italian community in São Paulo football. After numerous meetings, 46 individuals led by Luigi Marzo and Luigi Cervo gathered at the Alhambra Room and founded "Palestra Italia" on 26 August 1914. Ezequiel Simone was named the first club president. The Italian Consulate in São Paulo supported the new club as it would help spread awareness among Italians about their unified country.
After initial difficulties, Palestra Italia played its first game in Votorantim, defeating Savoia 2–0 to win the Taça Savoia, the club's first title. In 1916, the team joined the city's main sports league, and by 1917 reached the São Paulo State Championship final as runner-up, facing Corinthians for the first time. In 1920, Palestra Italia captured its first São Paulo State championship with a victory over Paulistano.
Successful period
The club continued to grow throughout the 1920s and 1930s. Estádio Palestra Itália was purchased in 1920 and remodeled in 1933, becoming the first Brazilian stadium with concrete grandstands and barbed-wire fences. By the early 1930s, Palestra had become three-time São Paulo State football and basketball champion, prompting fans to chant: "With the feet or with the hands, Palestra is the best in the land."
In 1942, during World War II, President Getúlio Vargas issued a decree banning organizations from using names related to Axis Powers. Palestra Italia was forced to change its name twice, first to Palestra São Paulo, then finally to Palmeiras. During the heated board meeting, Dr. Mario Minervino declared: "They don't want us to be Palestra, so then we shall be Palmeiras – born to be champions." The name change occurred the night before the final state championship match, which Palmeiras won against São Paulo Futebol Clube.
Crisis and recovery
The 1980s proved to be a difficult decade for Palmeiras, with the club going without major championships. Despite fielding competitive teams and reaching finals, including the 1986 São Paulo State Championship final against Inter de Limeira, success eluded them. During this period, fans adopted the pig as their mascot after rival supporters chanted "pig" at a 1986 game against Santos, with Palmeiras fans responding enthusiastically.
The drought ended in 1992 when Palmeiras signed a sponsorship deal with Italian dairy giant Parmalat. This eight-year partnership transformed Palmeiras into Brazil's richest club and ushered in a golden era of success throughout the 1990s.
Current period
Under Parmalat sponsorship, Palmeiras won numerous titles including the 1993 and 1994 Campeonato Brasileiro, multiple state championships, and their first Copa Libertadores in 1999 under coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. After Parmalat's departure in 2000, the club faced financial difficulties and was even relegated to Série B in 2002, though they returned immediately in 2004.
The 2010s brought renewed success with the construction of Allianz Parque stadium and multiple Copa do Brasil victories in 2012 and 2015. Under Portuguese coach Abel Ferreira, Palmeiras achieved unprecedented success from 2020-2022, winning back-to-back Copa Libertadores titles (2020, 2021), multiple domestic championships, and reaching the FIFA Club World Cup final in 2021.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
Palmeiras is the most successful club in Brazilian domestic competitions with 18 top-tier national titles. Their achievements include a record 12 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A titles (1960, 1967, 1967, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1993, 1994, 2016, 2018, 2022, 2023), 4 Copa do Brasil titles (1998, 2012, 2015, 2020), 1 Copa dos Campeões (2000), and 1 Supercopa do Brasil (2023). At state level, they have won 26 Campeonato Paulista titles and 5 Interstate titles (Torneio Rio–São Paulo).
Continental and global competitions
Internationally, Palmeiras has won three Copa Libertadores titles (1999, 2020, 2021), one Recopa Sudamericana (2022), and one Copa Mercosul (1998). The club also claims the 1951 Copa Rio title, which they consider their first world championship, though FIFA recognition remains disputed. They reached the FIFA Club World Cup final in 2021, finishing as runners-up to Chelsea.
Symbols and Colors
Current logo and logo history
The club's current logo features a green shield with the letter "P" representing Palmeiras. The original Palestra Italia logo included Italian symbols, but these were changed when the club was forced to adopt the Palmeiras name in 1942. The logo has undergone several modifications throughout the club's history while maintaining its distinctive green color scheme.
Traditional home and away kits colors
Palmeiras' traditional home kit consists of green jerseys, white shorts, and green socks. The club's first jersey was actually blue as a tribute to the Italian National Team, followed by green with a horizontal white band. Throughout their history, Palmeiras has occasionally worn blue shirts as homage to Italy. From 2007-2009, they used a popular light yellow third kit with dark green shorts and socks. Their supporters are known for creating the "mancha verde" (green stain) of fog and smoke when the team enters the pitch.
Traditional club anthem
Palmeiras' anthem was composed in 1949 by conductor Antonio Sergi, who also wrote the lyrics under the pseudonym Gennaro Rodrigues. The anthem reflects the club's proud history and traditions.
Traditional Rivals
Corinthians
Palmeiras' biggest rival is Corinthians, with their matches known as the Paulista Derby. This rivalry is considered Brazil's greatest and most intense, ranking among the biggest rivalries in world football. Historic encounters include the 1999 Copa Libertadores quarterfinals and 2000 semifinals, both won by Palmeiras on penalties, and the 1994 Campeonato Brasileiro final won by Palmeiras 4–2 on aggregate. Notable derby results include Palmeiras' 8–0 victory in 1933 and crucial championship-deciding matches in 1974 and 1993.
Santos
Santos FC is another major rival, with matches called the Clássico da Saudade (The Good Times Classic). Located 76 km from São Paulo, Santos is one of the four big clubs in São Paulo state. Important encounters include the 2020 Copa Libertadores Final and 2015 Copa do Brasil Final, both won by Palmeiras.
São Paulo
São Paulo FC represents another significant local rivalry, with matches known as the Choque-Rei (Clash of Kings). Key encounters have occurred in Copa Libertadores competitions, with Palmeiras winning the 2021 quarterfinals 4–1 on aggregate, while São Paulo eliminated Palmeiras in 1994, 2005, and 2006. The most recent final was the 2022 Campeonato Paulista, won by Palmeiras after a comeback victory.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Sponsors
Crefisa, a Brazilian bank, became Palmeiras' main sponsor in 2015, later increasing funding to R$90 million annually. The sponsorship deal with Crefisa and FAM (Faculdade das Américas), controlled by José Roberto Lamacchia and Leila Pereira, made Palmeiras' uniform among the most valuable in South America since 2016.
Nicknames
The club is commonly known as "Verdão" (Big Green One) due to their green colors. Fans also enthusiastically embrace the "Porco" (Pig) nickname, which was adopted in 1986 when rival supporters chanted "pig" at Palmeiras fans, who responded by embracing the term. The pig became an official mascot alongside the traditional green parakeet named Periquito.
Ownership and finances
Palmeiras operates under a traditional Brazilian club structure with associates electing a Deliberating Council every four years, who then choose a president for a two-year mandate. The club has maintained financial stability through strategic sponsorship deals and successful commercial operations.
Traditions and culture
The club maintains strong traditions rooted in its Italian immigrant heritage. Palmeiras' largest supporter groups include Mancha Alvi-Verde, TUP (the oldest group), and Acadêmicos da Savóia. According to journalist Joelmir Beting, "it is unnecessary to explain the emotion of supporting Palmeiras to its fans, and impossible to do it to the non-fans" – a motto reflected in Allianz Parque's dressing room walls.
Stadium
Palmeiras played at Estádio Palestra Itália from 1917 to 2010, a venue with 27,640 seats that hosted numerous important matches including Copa Libertadores and Copa Mercosur finals. The current Allianz Parque, opened in November 2014, features 43,713 covered seats and modern facilities including VIP areas, restaurants, media center, and a heliport. The multipurpose stadium represents a significant upgrade in infrastructure and fan experience.