In many regions in South America football had a similar introduction, as it was imported by European immigrants.
The sport began being played in factories, companies, ports and local clubs, eventually being adopted by the people of the city. In São Paulo it was no different, but uniquely, football had set its roots also in the varzea: the flat area that during the rainy season gets filled by the river, and during the dry season stays empty. There, people used to play the game and even developed a unique varzeano style.
From this complex scenario, 7 professional clubs have emerged: Comercial, Juventus, Nacional, Ypiranga, Portuguesa, Corinthians, Palmeiras and São Paulo. Those last three, are part of the 12 biggest Brazilian football clubs.
O Trio de Ferro
Corinthians, São Paulo and Palmeiras form the Iron Trio, which virtually sums up the city professional football. Each of them three, is carrying rich and diverse history.
The oldest one is Corinthians. Founded in 1910, the club always was related to the lower economic classes due to its origins - it was founded by a group of simple workers. The club have a massive fan base, ‘torcida’, as it is the 2nd largest crowd in Brazil, after Flamengo’s. Palmeiras, the alviverde, was founded by the Italian colony of São Paulo, probably the biggest one in the city, in 1914 as Palestra Italia. In 1942 the team was forced to change their name when Brazil joined the Allies during the 2nd World War, and became Palmeiras.
São Paulo is the youngest one, and their initial history is about overcoming the two established rivals - Corinthians and Palmeiras – in order to find their place in the city's football scene.
Stigmatized as an elite club, São Paulo has been known for their internal organization, which allowed them in the 1950’s to build their stadium, Morumbi, the biggest private stadium in the world at the time.
Being three, a very interesting triangular relation has been established throughout the years, usually with two on focus and form, and a third one in a low phase trying to get out of ostracism.
That was the case in the beggining of the 90's, when São Paulo had the best squad in club’s history, and Palmeiras got support from Parmalat and assembled a superb team too. Later in the decade, Corinthians and Palmeiras played each other in the Libertadores Cup playoffs two years in a row, while São Paulo couldn't even classify for the continental tournament. Since then, São Paulo and Corinthians are dominating the scene, alternating which has the upper hand through the tabus, a winning streak over the rivals.
This triangular relation has another interesting reflex: the freguesias – the matches between the three clubs. Historically, Palmeiras beats Corinthians, being the 1999 and 2000 Libertadores playoffs the peak of it. In 2000, the alvinegro had better players and a significant goal advantage, but managed to lose the second leg. São Marcos, Palmeiras’ goalkeeper and idol, stopped the penalty of , Corinthians’ star, Marcelinho during the final shootout. For the Corinthians it was hard, as it was their second year in a row to lose in penalties against their arch-rivals.
In the same way, Corinthians usually beats São Paulo, holding a favorable record against the tricolores especially in the playoffs. Nowadays, Corinthians is counted litteraly as a trauma for the sãopaulinos, and a defeat against them can trigger a nightmare crisis that shakes every aspect at Estádio do Morumbi, who not once led to coaches dismissal. Lately, São Paulo does well against Palmeiras, having beaten them twice in a row in the Libertadores playoffs, returning a favor to Corinthians for their’s elimination, and being the only team to beat the alviverde during the Parmalat years.
The football role on a metropolis
The life of a supporter in São Paulo is thrilling, football is a main part of the popular discussion in the city. The recent matches and results are always the opening subject for people - from lifetime friends who mock each other all the time, to people that you just met and normally take a more respectful approach. You can talk about football almost anywhere in the city, from the bus to a fancy restaurant, and with almost anyone, from the president of a multinational company to the begger on the streets. There is also a culture shared across the whole city, with known opinions and jokes that are told everywhere. In a country with such a tremendous wealth concentration which builds barriers and almost forbids people from connecting and in a city that gets more cosmopolitan each day, maybe football is the only subject that makes people sympathize and actually hear what the other has to say, doesn't matter who he is.
Juventus
It would be a shame to discuss football in São Paulo, and not mention Juventus. The team was founded in 1924 by the italian colony ands has remained loyal to it's origins. Always based in the traditional Mooca neighborhood, Juventus remained as a local club, even though the city and the world have changed, grew and became international. The club is nicknamed as Muleque Travesso, or Naughty Boy, since it has always created difficulties to their bigger and richer brothers. Those who attend their matches on the 5.000 people stadium at Rua Javari, can experience a trip to the past, where you can breath the air of the romantic stands, talk to people face to face and live a little of what football used to be. Despite being a few, they managed to create their modest but united fan base, and to preserve their local culture and identity. The nickname Muleque Travesso is not just for what they do on the field, as for their communal identity and sense of familiarity too.
Andre Vidiz, from São Paulo. One of the brains behind Sem Firula. Tries to understand why 11 guys wearing red, black and white trying to make a ball pass through somebody else`s square, is so fascinating. Sem Firulas is great football initiative from São Paulo. Give them a follow and you won’t be sorry.
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