O Maior do Brasil

Lore & Background

The 2025 Copa do Brasil (officially the Copa Betano do Brasil 2025 for sponsorship reasons) was the 37th edition of Brazil's domestic cup. It was held from 18 February to 21 December 2025. Flamengo were the defending champions but they were eliminated in the round of 16 by Atlético Mineiro. Corinthians won their fourth title by defeating Vasco da Gama 2–1 in the final. As champions, Corinthians qualified for the 2026 Copa Libertadores group stage and the 2026 Supercopa do Brasil.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the stadium was thick with humidity and anticipation, but the roar was what truly mattered. As the referee blew the whistle for kickoff, the sound didn't just echo off the concrete; it vibrated through the very soil of São Paulo. Thousands of voices merged into a single rhythm, chanting the names of legends past while watching the black-and-white stripes dance on the pitch. In that moment, there was no distinction between the player and the fan; they were one organism, breathing the same air, fighting for the same pride.

Reader's Guide

The competition began with a first round of 80 teams playing single-legged matches from 18 to 27 February 2025. The 40 winners advanced to the second round (4–13 March 2025). The 20 winners from the second round joined 12 teams entering in the third round, which was played on a home-and-away two-legged basis. The round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals were all two-legged ties. The draws for the first and second rounds were held on 7 February 2025; the third round draw on 9 April 2025; the round of 16 draw on 2 June 2025; the quarter-final draw on 12 August 2025; and the semi-final and final leg order draws on 22 October 2025.

Did You Know?

• Corinthians won their fourth Copa do Brasil title in 2025.
• Flamengo, the defending champions, were eliminated in the round of 16 by Atlético Mineiro.
• The final was played between Corinthians and Vasco da Gama, with Corinthians winning 2–1.
• As champions, Corinthians qualified for the 2026 Copa Libertadores group stage and the 2026 Supercopa do Brasil.

Founding and Social Origins

Sport Club Corinthians Paulista emerged from a unique social context in 1910, distinguishing itself by being founded by working-class individuals rather than the elite. On August 31, five railway employees—Joaquim Ambrose, Anthony Pereira, Rafael Perrone, Anselmo Correia, and Carlos Silva—were inspired after watching London's Corinthian F.C. tour Brazil. Unlike their contemporaries who were excluded from exclusive clubs due to socioeconomic barriers, these workers from the Bom Retiro neighborhood dreamed of creating their own institution. They formalized this vision on September 1 at a gathering on Rua José Paulino, electing Miguel Battaglia as their first president. Their inaugural match against União da Lapa ended in a narrow defeat, but they quickly secured their first victory and goal shortly after. A banner declaring "This One Will Last" was displayed during early practices, signaling their intent to endure amidst the many transient teams of the era. This grassroots origin story remains central to the club's identity as a team deeply rooted in the common people.

Domestic Dominance and State Success

Corinthians established an enduring legacy of dominance within São Paulo state football, accumulating a record 31 state championships that far outpaces any other Brazilian club. Their first major triumph arrived in 1914, just one year after joining the Liga Paulista, setting a precedent for future success. The 1920s marked the beginning of their hegemony, highlighted by three consecutive titles starting in 1922, which coincided with the Centennial of Brazilian Independence and solidified their status as a national powerhouse. This pattern of winning championships in threes recurred during the late 1920s and again from 1937 to 1939, led by prolific scorer Teleco. The 1950s proved particularly historic; in 1951 alone, the team scored an astonishing 103 goals across thirty matches, averaging over three per game with Carbone leading as top scorer. Beyond state titles, they secured the Rio-São Paulo Championship three times during this decade, cementing their reputation as one of Brazil's most consistent and successful teams.

International Glory and Global Recognition

On the world stage, Corinthians achieved historic milestones that placed them among the elite global football institutions. In 2000, they became the first club to win the inaugural FIFA Club World Championship, a feat accomplished uniquely by representing the host nation rather than through continental qualification. They repeated this international success in 2012 after securing their first Copa Libertadores title, further proving their ability to compete at the highest level against South America's best. Their trophy cabinet also includes two Supercopa do Brasil titles and four Copa do Brasil victories, alongside seven national league championships. Beyond trophies, the club's financial stature grew significantly; by 2017, Forbes valued Corinthians as the most valuable football club in the Americas at $576.9 million. These achievements reflect a trajectory from local railway workers' dream to a globally recognized brand capable of winning major continental and world titles.

Identity, Rivalries, and Modern Era

The visual and cultural identity of Corinthians is defined by its traditional black-and-white home kit and a crest introduced in 1939 by artist Francisco Rebolo. The emblem features the São Paulo state flag within a shield, flanked by oars and an anchor, symbolizing the club's early achievements in nautical sports before football became their primary focus. Their passionate fanbase, numbering over 30 million supporters worldwide, makes them the second most supported team in Brazil behind Flamengo. This massive following fuels intense rivalries with local giants Palmeiras, São Paulo, and Santos, creating some of the most heated derbies in Brazilian history known as the Derby Paulista and Clássico Majestoso. Since 2014, the club has called Neo Química Arena home, a modern stadium that hosted the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. This venue serves as the contemporary fortress for a club that continues to compete in the top tiers of Brazilian football while maintaining its deep connection to São Paulo's working-class roots.