Timão

Lore & Background

Corinthians was founded on 1 September 1910 by five workers of the São Paulo Railway: Joaquim Ambrose, Anthony Pereira, Rafael Perrone, Anselmo Correia, and Carlos Silva. The club played its first match on 10 September 1910, losing 1–0 to União da Lapa. On 14 September, Luis Fabi scored the club's first goal in a 2–0 win over Estrela Polar. Corinthians joined the Liga Paulista in 1913 and won its first São Paulo State Championship in 1914. The club won state titles in 1914, 1916, and then three in a row in 1922–24, 1928–30, and 1937–39. In 1951, the team scored 103 goals in the São Paulo Championship. Corinthians won the Small Cup of the World in 1953 in Venezuela, defeating Roma, Barcelona, and the Caracas Selection. After a 23-year drought, the club won the state championship in 1977. In 1990, Corinthians won its first Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, beating São Paulo. The club won the inaugural FIFA Club World Championship in 2000, the Copa Libertadores in 2012, and a second Club World Cup in 2012.

In Their Own Story

The floodlights hummed over a packed Morumbi, but the roar came not from the stands alone, but from the very air itself. An old supporter, his face painted in black and white, gripped his grandson's shoulder as the referee blew the final whistle. There was no trophy in hand tonight, just a draw that felt like a victory against impossible odds. 'See?' he whispered over the din of the crowd singing 'Timão.' 'They can take the players, they can change the managers, but Timão never leaves us. We are the Big Team because we are many.' The chant swelled, a tidal wave of voices proving that the true power of the club lay not in the grass below, but in the hearts above.

Reader's Guide

Corinthians is one of the most widely supported teams in the world and the second most in Brazil, with over 30 million fans. The club has won seven national titles, four Copa do Brasil trophies, two Supercopa do Brasil titles, and a record 31 São Paulo State championships. In international competitions, it won the FIFA Club World Championship in 2000 and 2012, the Copa Libertadores in 2012, and a Recopa Sudamericana title. In 2017, Forbes valued the club at $576.9 million, the most valuable football club in the Americas.

Did You Know?

• Corinthians' crest, introduced in 1939, includes two oars and an anchor to represent the club's early success in nautical sports.
• The club's first president was Miguel Battaglia, elected on the night of the club's founding.
• Corinthians won the 2000 FIFA Club World Championship as the host nation representative, the only time that has happened as of 2025.
• The club's first goal was scored by Luis Fabi on 14 September 1910.

Origins and Social Foundations

Sport Club Corinthians Paulista emerged from a unique social context in 1910, distinguishing itself by being founded not by the elite, but by five working-class railway employees. While upper-class São Paulo residents established exclusive clubs like Paulistano and Palmeiras, workers such as Joaquim Ambrose, Anthony Pereira, Rafael Perrone, Anselmo Correia, and Carlos Silva sought their own sporting outlet. Inspired by a touring match against London's Corinthian F.C., these men from the Bom Retiro neighborhood convened on September 1, 1910, to formalize their vision. They elected Miguel Battaglia as their inaugural president, creating an organization deeply rooted in labor and community solidarity. Their early identity was defined by resilience; a banner declaring "This One Will Last" stood during their first practice, foreshadowing the club's enduring legacy against the backdrop of numerous short-lived teams of that era.

Early Dominance and State Supremacy

Corinthians rapidly ascended to the pinnacle of Brazilian football within its first decade, establishing a pattern of dominance in state competitions. After joining the Liga Paulista in 1913, they secured their first São Paulo State Championship title just one year later in 1914, followed by another victory two years subsequent. The club's hegemony truly solidified during the centennial of Brazilian Independence in 1922, marking the beginning of a golden era where they frequently won state titles in consecutive triplets. This period saw them claim championships in 1922-23-24, 1928-29-30, and 1937-38-39. By defeating América from Rio de Janeiro in 1922, Corinthians cemented their status as one of Brazil's premier teams. The 1950s further highlighted their offensive prowess, with a legendary squad scoring an astonishing 103 goals in the 1951 state tournament, averaging over three goals per game while securing multiple Rio-São Paulo titles.

Global Achievements and International Prestige

Beyond domestic success, Corinthians carved out a historic legacy on the international stage, becoming one of the first Brazilian clubs to conquer global competitions. In 2000, they achieved a unique milestone by winning the inaugural FIFA Club World Championship as the host nation's representative, a feat not repeated until their second victory in 2012 following their Copa Libertadores triumph that same year. Their international journey began earlier with the "Small Cup of the World" in Venezuela during 1953, where they defeated European giants like Roma and Barcelona to claim what many consider a precursor to modern club world titles. These victories established Corinthians as a global powerhouse, culminating in their recognition by Forbes in 2017 as the most valuable football club in the Americas with a valuation of $576.9 million, reflecting both their sporting excellence and massive commercial appeal.

Identity, Rivalries, and Modern Era

The club's identity is visually anchored by its traditional black-and-white kit and a crest designed in 1939 by Francisco Rebolo, which incorporates the São Paulo state flag, oars, and an anchor to honor early nautical successes. Corinthians boasts one of the largest fanbases globally, with over 30 million supporters, making it the second most popular club in Brazil. This massive following fuels intense local rivalries, including the Derby Paulista against Palmeiras, the Clássico Majestoso versus São Paulo, and the Clássico Alvinegro against Santos. In the modern era, the team calls Neo Química Arena home since 2014, a stadium that notably hosted the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Competing in both the top-tier Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and the state's Série A1, Corinthians remains a central pillar of Brazilian football culture.