The history of Corinthians

Sport Club Corinthians Paulista is based in São Paulo and is not only one of the most popular clubs in Brazil. It is also one of the most successful, having won the first edition of the FIFA Club World Championship, the Brazilian Série A 4 times, the Brazilian Cup 2 times and the São Paulo State Championship 25 times.

Corinthians was founded in 1910 by a group of labourers - mainly of Portuguese, Italian and Spanish descent - and named after the English amateur team Corinthian F.C. from London.

They played in the São Paulo State Championship for the first time in 1913, and was crowned champion for the first time in 1914 and again two years later. From 1922 to 1941Corinthians was a dominant force in Brazilian football winning the state championship ten times.

After three state championships in a row Corinthians did not win a title between 1954 and 1977. In 1990, Corinthians won its first Campeonato Brasileiro Série A ans in 1995, the club won the Copa do Brasil for the first time. IIn the same decade, the club won the state championship in 1995, 1997, and in 1999 and won the national championship again in 1998 and in 1999.

In 2000, Corinthians won the first edition of the FIFA Club World Cup, beating Vasco da Gama in the final. Corinthians became champions for the last time in 2005. In 2007 the club was relegated after a string of bad results and a mangerial crisis. The club returned to Serie A the year after.

Among famous players, who have played for Corinthians are goalkeeper Gilmar, Roberto Rivelino, Sócrates, Garrincha, Rivaldo, Edmundo and Dunga. Their fiercest rivals in São Paulo are Palmeiras, but Corinthians also have a historic rivalry with São Paulo and Santos.

Corinthians also have amateur and professional volleyball, handball, taekwondo, judo, swimming, tennis and futsal teams.