Brazil Serie A or the Brazilian league houses most of the best football teams in Brazil since its inception as a national competition.

 

Brazil has a short history of a national football league due to its geographical features, making it difficult for teams to travel around the country.

 

As a result, the State Leagues were adopted at the time. Today, the State Leagues are still relevant and treated almost at the same level as the Série A.

 

Established in 1959, the Brazilian league is considered one of the best football leagues globally and one of the strongest based on the competition.

 

After Argentina, brazil was the following country to establish a Soccer League, even though it was mainly regional.

 

In 1967, Torneio Rio-São Paulo was expanded to include teams from other states and was eventually considered a national tournament.

 

The first domestic competition was held in 1959 as Taça Brasil, and in 1971, the current Brazilian Série A was born.

 

Since 2006, the Brazilian soccer league has been contested by 20 teams with the bottom-placed four clubs at the end of every season relegated to the Brazilian Série B.

 

The performance of Brazilian clubs in South America has been enormous. Teams from Brazil have emerged winners of the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana.

 

The lucrative nature of the league was also enormous, and in 2012, it was ranked among the richest in the world, valued at around US$1.43 billion, with annual revenue of over US$1.17 billion.

 

Competition in the league has been consistent, with over seventeen different teams already on the all-time winners chart.

 

Best football clubs in Brazilian and the most successful teams in history

 

In terms of the performance of the Brazilian states when it comes to soccer, São Paulo is the most prosperous state, with over 32 league titles shared among five different clubs.

 

The Big Twelve (G-12) of Brazilian Football

Who are the Big Twelve of Brazilian football? The group of football clubs is considered the most popular and successful sides in Brazilian football.

 

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This group of clubs won six editions of the Brasileirão between them since the tournament’s inception.

 

The list of Brazil Big Twelve clubs

Clubs                 –              Supporters

• Atlético Mineiro – 7.0 million
• Botafogo – 3.4 million
• Corinthians – 27.3 million
• Cruzeiro – 6.2 million
• Flamengo – 32.5 million
• Fluminense – 3.6 million
• Grêmio – 6.0 million
• Internacional – 5.6 million
• Palmeiras – 10.6 million
• Santos – 4.8 million
• São Paulo – 13.6 million
• CR Vasco da Gama – 7.2 million

 

All-time most successful Brazilian football clubs in history

 

1. São Paulo Football Club

Full Name: São Paulo Futebol Clube

Nickname: Tricolor Paulista (Paulista Tricolour)

Colours: White, Black and Red stripes

Founded: 1930

Titles:

Copa Libertadores: 3

FIFA Club World Cup: 1

Copa Sudamericana: 1

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 6

Campeonato Paulista A1: 22

Copa do Brasil: 1

 

São Paulo’s league dominance includes three consecutive titles in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

 

According to statistics, the club has a fan base of about 16 million, expected to grow.

 

São Paulo competes in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and Campeonato Paulista A1, São Paulo State Premier League.

 

When it comes to soccer in brazil, São Paulo is the most successful team, most especially performing on the international scene with about twelve titles.

 

In the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Palmeiras are ahead with ten titles while São Paulo has won only six.

 

The historical peculiarities of teams in the country have also made it even easier for the club.

 

The club has won six league titles; one Copa do Brazil, three Copa Libertadores, one Copa Sudamericana, one FIFA Club World Cup, two Intercontinental Cups alongside other notable International titles.

 

This makes the club stand out as the most successful team in  Brazil. In the country, the State League is valued at almost the same level as the Série A.

 

In the State of São Paulo, São Paulo FC has won a record twenty-two titles.

 

Club Rivalries

Choque-Rei: São Paulo vs Palmeiras

This clash is also referred to as the Kings’ Clash and is contested by Palmeiras and São Paulo.

 

It is one of the most iconic derbies in brazil, which has turned out fierce between the two teams and is currently regarded as the third-best derby in the city of São Paulo.

 

San-São: São Paulo vs Santos

Because of the history between Santos and São Paulo FC, the clash between the two clubs is considered one of the biggest soccer derbies in the City of São Paulo.

 

The two teams participate in the State League and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.

 

Clássico Majestoso: São Paulo vs Corinthians

Clássico Majestoso is the second biggest derby in São Paulo State between Corinthians and São Paulo behind the Choque-Rei derby.

 

The clash between the two sides most often ends up in various cases, including fights.

 

When it comes to all-time national league winners, São Paulo are clearly behind Palmeiras, who sit at the top of the standings with ten titles with over 23 Campeonato Paulista A1 titles

 

2. Santos Football Club

Santos competes in the São Paulo State League and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.

 

Santos is another side with the most trophies in the history of Brazilian soccer. Santos is Brazil’s second most successful team behind São Paulo FC.

 

Founded in 1912, the club became one of São Paulo’s most prominent clubs in history.

 

At the national level, the team prides itself as one of the biggest and the most successful alongside rivals São Paulo FC, Palmeiras, Corinthians, etc.

 

In the history of the Brazilian Campeonato Série A, Santos is the only club to have won the league title in five consecutive seasons in 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, and 1965.

 

This was followed by another triumph in 1968, which made it a record six titles in the space of ten years. This period also marked the Golden years of Santos as a Brazilian football club.

 

The club won Torneio Rio-São Paulo six times and national competition.

 

Santos has won ‘The Double’ five times, including São Paulo State League, Série A, Copa do Brazil, Copa Libertadores etc.

 

The club achieved a treble in 1962, winning the Copa Libertadores, Brazilian Série A and the São Paulo Campeonato Paulista A1.

 

Internationally, the club emerged winners of the Copa Libertadores on three different occasions and have won the Recopa Sudamericana title.

 

Santos has also won the now-defunct Intercontinental Cup twice. When it comes to the State of São Paulo, Santos has won twenty-two titles and are behind Palmeiras with twenty-three.

 

Rivalry

When it comes to football teams in the famous São Paulo region, Santos has an intense rivalry with teams like Corinthians, Palmeiras and São Paulo FC.

 

The club’s biggest rivalry is with Corinthians, known as “Clássico Alvi-negro” (Black and White Derby in English).

 

Santos, another rivalry with São Paulo FC, is known as the “San-São” derby.

 

Santos third main rivalry is against Campeonato Série A giants Palmeiras known as “Clássico da Saudade” (Nostalgia Derby in English).

 

Fan base

Santos prides itself as one of the most famous soccer clubs in Brazil, having a huge fan base across the entire country.

 

With a growing number, the club was said to have more fans outside brazil, amounting to up to 20 million worldwide fans.

 

In Brazil, the club has about 10 million fans.

 

Like Manchester United, Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona, Santos is also a global brand.

 

3. Sports Club Internacional

Inter de Porto Alegre competes in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and the Campeonato Gaúcho, Porto Alegre’s State League.

 

Internacional is one of the most respected teams in the country.

Historically, the club is considered one of the most successful teams, having won one FIFA Club World Cup, two Copa Libertadores, one Copa Sudamericana and one Recopa Sudamericana.

 

Domestically, the club boasts a record of 45 Campeonato Gaúcho titles. At the national level, SC Internacional has won three Série A titles; one Copa do Brazil Torneio Heleno Nunes.

 

Internacional could be seen as the third-best most successful. However, Corinthians are above two FIFA Club World Cup wins.

 

Inter have enjoyed success over the years, which includes a successful campaign in the Copa Libertadores.

 

In the state of Porto Alegre, the club claimed six league titles in consecutive seasons. The club plays its home games at the Estádio Beira-Rio.

 

Internacional quest for international glory, they defeated world and Spanish giants Barcelona to lift the FIFA Club World Cup in 2006.

 

The Brazilian Invincibles

SC Internacional is the only club in the history of Brazilian soccer to win or become winners of the league undefeated.

 

This record is yet to be matched by another side in the country  since 1979.

 

Rivalry

Internacional has an intense rivalry with Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense. The clash between the two sides is known as the ‘Grenal’, currently one of the greatest derbies in the world.

 

4. Corinthians

Sport Club Corinthians Paulista competes in the Série A and the Campeonato Paulista Série A1. The club grew to become one of the most successful teams in brazil.

 

At the national level, Corinthians boast of seven Campeonato Brasileiro Série A titles, three Brazilian Copa do Brazil with another record 30 Campeonato Paulista A1 titles.

 

Internationally, Corinthians have won two FIFA Club World Cup, which is a Brazilian club record, including the inaugural edition in 2006 in an all Brazilian final against CR Vasco da Gama.

 

The club has won one Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana, respectively.

 

Corinthians based on stats obtained, has a very high number of fans across the country in 30 million active fans. It is also one of the wealthiest clubs, valued at around $576.9 million.

 

Rivalry

Corinthians boast of more than four rivals in brazil.

Derby in São Paulo State: Santos, São Paulo FC, Palmeiras.

Other rivalries: Ponte Preta, Flamengo, CR Vasco da Gama.

Derby Paulista: Corinthians vs Palmeiras

The Derby Paulista is dubbed one of the greatest football rivalries in the world.

 

The derby is also fiercely contested between the two clubs and has ended in fights off and on the pitch.

 

Clássico Majestoso: Corinthians vs São Paulo

A derby between two of the most successful teams in the São Paulo State and Brazil in general. It is also one of the most fiercely contested derbies in the country.

 

Corinthians usually have the upper hand, most often attributed to the intimidation by fans chanting songs for the home team.

 

The two teams often meet in Campeonato Brasileiro and Campeonato Paulista Série A1.

 

Clássico Alvinegro: Corinthians vs Santos

This is a regional derby of São Paulo between Corinthians and São Paulo FC. They’re the two of the most successful in the region.

 

National and International Rivalry (derby)

Corinthians vs Ponte Preta

We are meeting in the Paulista league.

 

(Classic of The Masses)

Corinthians vs Flamengo

It is seen as a meeting between two of the most successful teams in the country.

 

CR Vasco da Gama vs Corinthians – World level derby

In the FIFA Club World Cup in 2000,  the two teams from Brazil played in the final, which went the way of Corinthians.

Corinthians plays its home games at the Arena Corinthians.

 

5. Palmeiras

Palmeiras competes in Campeonato Paulista Série A1 and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.

 

Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras is one of the best football clubs in Brazil most recently.

 

Historically, Palmeiras is one of the most successful teams, having won the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A a record ten times more than any other side in the country.

 

In the 1960s, the club has won four titles and are behind Corinthians, who led with a record six titles won in the space of ten years.

 

In addition, Palmeiras have won 4 Copa do Brazil, twenty-five Campeonato Paulista Série A1, and a Copa dos Campeões currently regarded as the most successful Brazilian club domestically.

 

Internationally, the club has won the Copa Libertadores once. In 2020, Palmeiras finished fourth in the FIFA Club World Cup. Founded in 1914, the club’s supporters in the country average 18 million.

 

Rivalry

Paulista Derby: Palmeiras vs Corinthians

The matches between these two clubs are regarded as the greatest in Brazil’s history and the most intense.

 

The match receives an audience across the country as well from the Américas.

 

Choque-Rei: Palmeiras vs São Paulo FC

It is also referred to as King’s Clash and is a significant rivalry in the region.

 

It is a clash between the most successful Brazilian team (Palmeiras) and internationally (São Paulo FC).

 

Clássico da Saudade: Palmeiras vs Santos

This is the clash between two teams with a distinct history.

 

6. Flamengo

Clube de Regatas do Flamengo competes in the Série A and the Campeonato Carioca.

 

Flamengo is also one of the most successful teams in brazil, most especially wins in the Campeonato Carioca with a record 37 titles (Rio de Janeiro State League).

 

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At the national level, the club became a household name, followed by a successful outing which led to seven Campeonato Brasileiro Série titles. In addition to this, the club won the Copa do Brasil three times.

 

Internationally, Flamengo has won 2 Copa Libertadores, 1 Recopa Sudamericana and 1 Intercontinental Cup.

 

The club is regarded as the most influential teams in Rio de Janeiro, with a long-standing rivalry with CR Vasco da Gama, Fluminense and Botafogo.

 

Rivalry

Clássico dos Milhões: Flamengo vs CR Vasco da Gama

It is a traditional rivalry and is also regarded as one of the biggest in brazil.

 

The derby began in the early years of soccer in the country. Flamengo and Vasco da Gama have met consistently in the Campeonato Carioca and Série A.

 

Fla–Flu: Flamengo vs Fluminense

It is another famous derby from Rio de Janeiro.

 

Rivalry Classic: Flamengo vs Botafogo

It is one of the most fiercely contested derbies in Rio de Janeiro.

 

Flamengo vs Palmeiras – Inter-State rivalry

It is tagged the rivalry of two of the most financially powerful teams in brazil.

 

Flamengo vs Atlético Mineiro – International Rivalry

This derby is tagged the biggest interstate rivalry in Brazil. The two teams have also met in the Copa Libertadores.

 

In terms of supporters, it is one of the most supported in the country.

 

7. Grêmio

Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense competes in Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, and Campeonato Gaúcho in the Rio Grande do Sul State League.

 

They’re one of the most outstanding Brazilian soccer teams in history, domestically and internationally.

 

The club’s international recognition can be traced to victory against german giants Hamburger SV in the 1983 Intercontinental Cup final.

 

Increasing the Brazilian coefficient in Copa Libertadores, Grêmio also boasts of three titles that have given Brazil more prestige in the competition after Argentine dominance.

 

Grêmio was the world’s most valuable football club, according to Forbes, in 2017.

 

The club has won two Série A titles; five Copa do Brasil, one of the highest in the division.

 

At the state level, Grêmio has won a record 40 Campeonato Gaúcho titles in the Rio Grande do Sul.

 

The club also boasts 2 Copa Libertadores, 2 Recopa Sudamericana, 1 Intercontinental Cup, and runners up in the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup.

 

About 8 million fans, it is one of the most supported football clubs in the country and has continued to grow yearly.

 

Rivalry

Grêmio holds a fiercely contested rivalry with SC Internacional, the Grendel. The fans of the two sides rave about the derby now and then.

 

It is one of the most discussed and famous regional derbies of Brazilian football.

 

8. CR Vasco da Gama

Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama competes in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B and the Campeonato Carioca.

 

The club is one of the most famous soccer clubs in Brazil, with over 23 million fans across the country.

 

Vasco da Gama is one of the famous Brazilian football clubs known worldwide, especially during the club’s early years.

 

The club won the South American Championship of Champions in 1948 and the Copa Libertadores once.

 

Domestically, Vasco da Gama has won the Brazilian Série A 4 times and 24 Carioca Championship, most of which were achieved during the club’s golden years.

 

Vasco shares a great rivalry with Fluminense, Flamengo and Botafogo.

 

Vasco da Gama plays a mega derby with Flamengo known as the Millions Derby and is also the most-watched derby in Brazil. Vasco da Gama is Brazil top famous club known internationally.

 

9. Cruzeiro

 

Cruzeiro Esporte Clube competes in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B and the Campeonato Mineiro. It is one of the most successful teams in Brazil, with several recognised titles worldwide.

 

Domestically, Cruzeiro boast of 4 Série A titles, a record six Copa do Brasil. Internationally, Cruzeiro has won 2 Copa Libertadores, 2 Supercopa Sudamericana and 1 Recopa Sul-Americana.

 

It is also one of the few Brazilian clubs to achieve the ‘Double and Treble’.

Treble 2003: State League, Copa do Brasil, Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.

Famous continental double 1997: State League and Copa Libertadores.

 

Rivalry

Cruzeiro holds a long-standing rivalry with Atlético Mineiro.

 

10. Fluminense

Fluminense FC competes in the Série A and the Campeonato Carioca.

 

Fluminense is also one of the top sides in the country. The club has won 4 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, 1 Copa do Brasil. At the state level, the club has won 31 Campeonato Carioca titles.

 

Derby

Fla-Flu: Fluminense vs Flamengo

Giants’ Derby: Fluminense vs CR Vasco da Gama

Grandpa Derby: Fluminense vs Botafogo

Inter-State: Fluminense vs Corinthians

 

11. Clube Atlético Mineiro

Clube Atlético Mineiro is a Brazilian football club based in Belo Horizonte.

 

The club has won two Série A, 1 Copa do Brasil, 1 Série B and 46 Campeonato Mineiro. The club has also won 1 Copa Libertadores and 1 Recopa Sudamericana.

 

Rivalry:

Atlético Mineiro vs América Mineiro

Atlético Mineiro vs Cruzeiro

12. Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas

 

Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas is a professional football club based in Botafogo. Botafogo was Brazilian Champions twice.

 

Other important Brazilian professional football clubs

 

13. Coritiba

Coritiba is based in Curitiba from Parana State. The club has won 1 Série A, 2 Série B and 38 Campeonato Paranaense titles.

 

14. Sports Club do Recife

Sport Club do Recife is based in Pernambuco. The club has won 1 Série A, Série B, and Copa do Brasil titles.

 

In the State League, the club has won 42 Campeonato Pernambucano titles.

 

15. Esporte Clube Bahia

Bahia is based in Salvador and has won 2 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, 49 Campeonato Baiano.

 

16. Club Athletico Paranaense

Club Athletico Paranaense is based in Curitiba. The club has won 1 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, 1 Copa do Brasil, 1 Série B and 26 Campeonato Paranaense.

 

17. Guarani

Guarani Futebol Clube is based in São Paulo. The club has won 1 Série A and Série B.

 

Performance: State League and Cup competitions

 

Campeonato Carioca – Rio de Janeiro State Championship

Flamengo 36

Fluminense 31

Vasco da Gama 24

Botafogo 21

 

Campeonato Gaúcho – State of Rio Grande do Sul Championship

Internacional 45

Grêmio 39

 

Campeonato Mineiro – Minas Gerais State Championship

Atlético Mineiro 45

Cruzeiro 38

 

Campeonato Paulista – State of São Paulo Championship

Corinthians 30

Palmeiras 23

Santos 22

São Paulo 21

 

The popularity of soccer in Brazil

When it comes to sports in Brazil, football is the most popular. It remains the most popular sporting activity that draws many fans across the country.

 

In Brazil, the craze for football has moved from fan and rivalry to become one of the people’s traditions since the early years.

 

The country was one of the early players in football, played at the state level. Football in Brazil remains fiercely contested at the State level up to Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.

 

The sport in the country is even more lucrative and competes with the most significant leagues in the world.

 

The league generates an annual turnover worth billions of dollars which is a very great value and competes with the top names in Europe.

 

Competition

The Brazilian league is ranked in the top 10 best football leagues in the world by IFHHS and Football Database as well as FIFA.

 

The club’s from Brazil won the first two editions of the FIFA Club World Cup and are third on the all-time winner’s list in history.

 

The league has never been one-sided; instead, teams like Palmeiras, Flamengo, Santos, São Paulo, SC Internacional, Corinthians, etc., all Battle for the top price.

 

Palmeiras is the most successful team in Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, while São Paulo FC is the most successful Brazilian team internationally.

 

Corinthians have also won two FIFA Club World Cup titles and is the only Brazilian professional football club to achieve that record. Brazil is one of the biggest soccer nations globally, having some of the best teams statistically.