Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras

At the beginning of the 20th century, several young Italians decided to start a club whose main goal was to form a football team that would be representative of the Italian community, and face the big names of São Paulo's football elite. Just over three decades earlier, Italy had been unified – a fact that was not known to some Italian-Brazilians and to some non-Italian Brazilians.

There were numerous Italian clubs, but each one represented an Italian Province or was geared to activities other than football. At the time, the game was starting to take hold and drew many players and fans.

The founders of the club sought out the Fanfulla newspaper, which was the media mouthpiece that defended the interests of Italians in Brazil, and entrusted young Vincenzo Ragognetti – another supporter of the idea – to draft an invitation to those interested in forming a sports club.

After several meetings, 46 interested individuals (led by Luigi Marzo and Luigi Cervo) gathered at the Alhambra Room on what is now Rua do Riachuelo, and founded a sports club for all Italian-Brazilians named "Palestra Italia". Ezequiel Simone was named club president. The Italian Consulate in São Paulo became interested in the new club because it would help spread the word among Italians that their country now had one flag and one anthem.

After some initial difficulties, Palestra Italia played its first game in the town of Votorantim (São Paulo State) – beating Savoy 2–0 with goals from Bianco and Alegretti to win the Savoy Cup.[5]

Photo of Palestra Italia in 1932

Oscar Francisco Nascimento (1930)

In 1916, the team joined the city's main sports league and held its first official championship match. The following year it would be runner-up in the São Paulo State Championship, facing Corinthians for the first time. Palestra won that initial game 3–0 with three goals from Caetano; it also won the rematch 3–1 of what would become the team's chief rivalry. In 1920, Palestra Italia captured the São Paulo State championship with a victory over the rugged Paulistano squad in the deciding match.

Palestra continued to grow as a sports club and also began acquiring more assets. Estádio Palestra Itália, purchased in 1920, was remodeled and expanded in 1933 – when it became the first Brazilian stadium with concrete grandstands and barbed-wire fences. Starting in 1964, the playing field would be suspended, which gave fans a complete, broad view and also created space in the lower levels.

The club continued to grow and won more championships, and at the outset of the 1930s became the three-time São Paulo State football and basketball champion – a feat which prompted Palestra fans to chant in celebration: "With the feet or with the hands, Palestra is the best in the land."[5]

Oberdan Cattani

Photo of Palestra Italia State Champion in 1940

Palmeiras in 1942

In 1942 during World War II, the government of President Getúlio Vargas made a decree banning any organization from using names related to the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan). Palestra Italia was compelled to change its name, and became Palestra São Paulo. "Palestra" is a Greek word, loosely translated as "gymnasium", that did not violate the government measure. However, the change still did not soothe political and sporting pressures to alter the name completely. Under penalty of forfeiting all its assets to another club and facing ejection from the championship that it currently led, Palestra was forced to change its name a second time. The night before the last game of the State championship, scheduled for 20 September 1942, the Palestra board of directors held a heated meeting and changed the club's name. When the debate reached its peak, Dr. Mario Minervino took the floor and asked club Secretary, Dr. Pascoal W. Byron Giuliano, to note in the minutes:

– "They don't want us to be Palestra, so then we shall be Palmeiras – born to be champions."

Tensions flared during the final league match, where Palmeiras' opponent was São Paulo Futebol Clube (SPFC) which was laying claim to the assets of the former Palestra Italia.

Palmeiras took the field carrying the Brazilian flag under the leadership of army Captain Adalberto Mendes. Palmeiras was leading the match by 3–1 when a penalty was called in its favor. At that moment, the SPFC ordered its players to consider the Palmeiras squad an enemy of the homeland and pulled its side off the field amid jeers from even the club's own fans. The celebrations began on the spot. The next day, newspapers contained a photograph of Palmeiras entering the field with the headline: "A Leader Dies, A Champion is Born."[5]

Copa Rio 1951 Trofee

In January 1951, the Brazilian sports newspaper O Globo Sportivo ran a lead story reporting that FIFA President Jules Rimet would grant unconditional support (then unofficial) to holding a world club championship in Rio de Janeiro.

The first Copa Rio was held in 1951, with the participation of eight squads, divided into two brackets of four teams apiece: Vasco da Gama (Brazil), Austria Vienna (Austria), Nacional (Uruguay), and Sporting Lisbon (Portugal), playing in Rio; and Palmeiras (Brazil), Juventus (Italy), Red Star (Yugoslavia), and Olympique (France) playing in São Paulo. Clubs such as Malmo, Rapid Vienna, Tottenham, Newcastle, Barcelona, Lousanne were invited to participate in the tournament but not interested as Milan and Atletico de Madrid who preferred to participate in the Latin Cup. The importance of the 1951 Copa Rio is linked to the fact that it was the first competition football interclubs with worldwide coverage, having been created even before the Intercontinental Cup. The competition was organised by the Brazilian Sports Confederation, with aid and authorisation from FIFA, and was named for being sponsored by the Rio de Janeiro City Hall. FIFA states that the Palmeiras is de facto the holder of the title of the first World competition between clubs in history.[6] Two editions of Copa Rio took place in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil in 1951, Palmeiras, from Brazil, was the winner of the tournament, while Fluminense, also from Brazil and coorganizer of the 1952 event, won this title in 1952. However, according to the FIFA statute, there are official competitions organized by FIFA or at least one of the continental confederations,[7][8][9] so this is not the case of the Copa Rio, officially organized by the Brazilian Federation.[10][11] Palmeiras has requested several times to FIFA an official recognition as club world cup.[12][13]

Palmeiras team profiled before the final against Juventus in 1951 at Maracanã Stadium

In 2006, Palmeiras prepared a document for FIFA, detailedly describing the 1951 Copa Rio, in order to request official confirmation of their conquest as the first ever club football world championship.[14][15][16][17] The document sustained that the participation of FIFA officials Stanley Rous and Ottorino Barassi in the organisation of the 1951 competition was a clear indication of FIFA's blessing to it in 1951, sustaining that FIFA had assigned Barassi to represent FIFA in the organisation of the tournament (in reality, in a 1951 interview, the FIFA president Jules Rimet, while praising the Brazilian initiative, denied any FIFA involvement or responsibility for it). Rous and Barassi were primarily involved in negotiations with European clubs, while Barassi also helped organize the framework of the competition.

In May 2007, Palmeiras received a letter from FIFA, signed by then Secretary-General Urs Linsi, recognizing Palmeiras as club world champions of 1951.[16] However, this decision was later withdrawn by FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who declared that the matter was still being evaluated.

In April 2013, in communication to then Brazilian Minister of Sports, Aldo Rebelo, then FIFA General-Secretary, Jérôme Valcke, again recognised Palmeiras as champions of the "first Club World Cup ever held" (as written in the document).

Cover of the Brazilian sports newspaper 'A Gazeta Esportiva', in 1951, with the headline saying that Palmeiras was 'World Champion'

In 2014, the FIFA Executive Committee recognized Palmeiras as champions of the "first worldwide club competition" (as written in the document). Also in 2014, FIFA president Joseph Blatter stated to the Brazilian press that Palmeiras was effectively recognised by FIFA and thus should be regarded as club world champions.[18]

On July 22, 2016, FIFA celebrated the 65-year anniversary of the 1951 Copa Rio title won by Palmeiras. On instagram, FIFA posted: "Green is the color of envy. 'The Big Green' were the envy of the wide world # On this day 65 years ago. A Liminha-inspired Palmeiras edged a Juventus team including Giampiero Boniperti & a Danish triumvirate to become the sport's first intercontinental world club champions. 100,000 watched that at the Maracanã. One million flooded the streets of São Paulo to welcome their heroes home". (as written in the post).[19]

A distinction between a "worldwide competition" (worldwide in reach but that does not necessarily indicate the world champion) and a "competition awarding the label of world champion" rose in January 2017, when FIFA issued the following statement, whereby FIFA mentioned both Copa Rio and the Intercontinental Cup as examples (by using the expression such as) of competitions whose existence FIFA hailed as positive: "At its meeting in Sao Paulo on 7 June 2014 the FIFA Executive Committee agreed to the request presented by CBF to acknowledge the 1951 tournament between European and South American clubs as the first worldwide club competition, and Palmeiras as its winner. FIFA acknowledges and values the initiatives to establish worldwide club competitions throughout history. This is the case of tournaments involving European and South American clubs, such as the pioneering Copa Rio, played in 1951 and 1952, and the Intercontinental Cup. However, it was not until 2000 that FIFA organised the maiden FIFA Club World Cup, with representatives from all six confederations. The winners of this competition, which went on to be staged annually from 2005 onwards, are the ones officially considered by FIFA as club world champions.[20][21]

In April 2019, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, interviewed by the Brazilian media, reiterated FIFA's perspective that only the winners of the Intercontinental Cup and the Club World Cup are officially world champions:

"We have already decided to give the title of world champion to everyone who has won the Cup between Europe and South America since 1960. 1951 is a little further back".

— Gianni Infantino, FIFA President. Brasilia, 9 April 2019.[22]

"The world title of Palmeiras... For miracles, you have ask another, not me..."

— Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA. Brasilia, 9 April 2019.[23]

Also in April 2019, former FIFA president Joseph Blatter (who held office until December 2015) stated to the Brazilian press that Palmeiras was effectively recognised by FIFA in 2014 and thus should be regarded as club world champions.[24]

Ademir da Guia

Luís Pereira (right) at the 1974 FIFA World Cup

In the 1960s, the standard of quality of Palmeiras play – led by the one who would come to symbolize this period of football excellence, Ademir da Guia – led the Palestra Italia team to be called the "Academy" of Brazilian football.

Headed by Filpo Nunes, Palmeiras players won the most important national competition in 1965, the Rio – São Paulo championship, with stand-out performances. Blow-outs against top rivals included seven goals scored against Santos, five against Botafogo in their home stadium of Maracanã, five against São Paulo, and another four scored against Vasco. The title came to Palmeiras in another lopsided victory against Botafogo at Pacaembú Stadium in São Paulo.

That same year, the Brazilian Sports Federation (CBD) used the entire Palmeiras roster to launch Minerão Stadium and represent Brazil in an official national team match against Uruguay for the Inconfidência Cup. The day that it donned the green and white, Palmeiras as Brazil was victorious 3–0 over the Uruguayan blue.

In the previous year, Palmeiras had won the Rio de Janeiro Quadricentennial Cup by beating the Paraguayan national team 5–2 and besting Peñarol of Uruguay in the final.

By the end of the 1960s, Palmeiras won the Copa do Brasil and the Roberto Gomes Pedrosa tournament – the Brazilian Championship equivalent at the time. These victories laid the groundwork for the second Palmeiras Academy, with players like Luís Pereira, Leivinha, Emerson Leão, Dudu and César.

Led by Oswaldo Brandão, the team captured several titles in the 1970s. It was three-time São Paulo State champion – emerging undefeated in one of those tournaments – two-time Brazilian Champion, three-time winner of Spain's Ramón de Carranza Trophy, and winner of Argentina's Mar del Plata Trophy – considered the South American Club Championship.[5]

Palmeiras' supporters

Accustomed to victories at the "Academy" in the 1960s and 1970s, Palmeiras fans saw the 1980s come and go without championships or titles. In 1986, Palmeiras fielded a good team – routing Corinthians 5–1 and playing an historic game in the semifinals of the São Paulo State Championship against that same rival, prevailing 3–0. The team had arrived at the final of the State Championship – 10 years after winning its last State title – but lost to Inter de Limeira.

On October 29, 1986, Palmeiras fans adopted the "Pig" as their mascot. At a game against Santos, the rival fans were chanting "pig"; the Palmeiras crowd responded with "Come On Pig!! Come On Pig!! Olé Olé Olé..." and "Go Piiiig...." A few days later, Placar sports magazine popularised the new nickname when it published an issue with Jorginho Putinatti – the symbol of that generation – holding a pig in his lap.

There were two noteworthy events during this decade. In the 1983 State Championship against Santos, referee José de Assis Aragão scored a goal for Palmeiras in the 47th minute of the second half. Striker Jorginho kicked inside the penalty area, the ball was on its way out but it hit Aragão – who was on the goal line about a meter from the goal and went into the Santos net. The game ended in a 2–2 tie – much to the chagrin of Santos.

The second unexpected event occurred on November 11, 1988, when striker Gaúcho defended two penalties against Flamengo in a game for the Brazilian Championship at Maracanã. Gaúcho was put in goal after keeper Zetti broke a leg in the final minutes of the match. The game ended in a tie, and advanced to the penalty shootout phase. During the shootout, Gaúcho stopped two shots, from Aldair and Zinho. To cap off the evening, he scored a penalty himself while wearing the goalkeeper's jersey.

Zinho

César Sampaio

In 1989, Palmeiras had another chance to celebrate a title. Undefeated until the second last match, the team was eliminated when it lost to Bragantino in the semifinals of the São Paulo State Championship. The 1980s ended without significant victories, but the 1990s would make up for that.[5]

Palmeiras found itself in a sixteen-year hiatus without any significant trophies until 1992, when the club signed a sponsorship deal with Italian dairy giant Parmalat. The deal lasted for eight years and quickly turned Palmeiras into Brazil's richest club.

In the 1990s, Palmeiras enjoyed countless achievements, winning numerous important titles. In the first full year of the relationship with Parmalat, the team won em 1993 the Campeonato Paulista in 1993, beating its biggest rival Corinthians in the final, under the command of coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo and with high quality players. Evair, Zinho, Edmundo, César Sampaio, Mazinho, Antônio Carlos and Edílson were the main names of the team.

That same year, it also captured the Rio-São Paulo Championship as well as the Campeonato Brasileiro. The next year, it achieved the unprecedented feat of becoming two-time State Champion and two-time Brazilian Champion.

Edmundo

In 1996 it handily won the Campeonato Paulista, scoring more than 100 goals. Rivaldo, Muller, Djalminha and Luizão were highlights of the historic team. Palmeiras also won the Mercosur Cup and the Copa do Brasil, both in 1998.

Luiz Felipe Scolari

Famous coach Luiz Felipe Scolari led the team to one of the club's most important titles: The 1999 Libertadores Cup. The final match was against Deportivo Cali from Colombia. Important players from that team were World Cup winners Marcos, Zinho and Roque Júnior, as well as Alex, Evair, Paulo Nunes and César Sampaio. In the first leg, in Cali, Deportivo beat Palmeiras 1–0. In the second leg, at Estádio Palestra Itália, Palmeiras beat Deportivo 2–1 and won the competition in the penalty shootout.

In the same year, in Tokyo, Palmeiras disputed Intercontinental Cup, but were defeated in the final by Manchester United of England in what was described as a heartbreaking loss because they played better against the Red Devils.[25] Therefore, the Palmeiras fans still dream of their greatest glory, a Club World Cup by FIFA.

Marcos

In 2000, Palmeiras disputed 4 Final Championship Matches. At first, the team won the Rio-São Paulo Tournament after beating Vasco da Gama in the final. In the first leg, in Rio de Janeiro, Palmeiras beat Vasco 2–1. In the second leg, at Morumbi Stadium, the club from São Paulo beat Vasco 4–0.

The club again reached the Libertadores Cup final, this time against Boca Juniors from Argentina. In the first leg, in Buenos Aires, the game ended 2–2. In the second leg, at Morumbi Stadium, in São Paulo, the game ended 0–0 and Boca won the competition in the penalty shootout.

In the same year, Palmeiras won the Brazilian Champions' Cup after beating Sport Recife in the final. By the end of the year, the club again reached the Mercosur Cup final, losing to Vasco da Gama.

Having won key national and international competitions, Palmeiras was proclaimed Brazilian football's Best Team of the 20th Century of Brazil by the São Paulo State Football Federation (FPF), newspapers Folha and Estado de São Paulo, and Placar magazine rankings.[5]

Palmeiras against Liga Deportiva Universitaria in 2009

Parmalat sponsorship ended in 2000 and left the club in dire straits. After a mildly irregular season in 2001, with the biggest achievement being a Libertadores Cup semifinal against Boca Juniors, the club faced its worst year ever in 2002 and was relegated to the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B, which it won in the following year, returning to the Série A in 2004.

The 2004 and 2005 seasons were rather successful when the team finished in the 4th position in both years, and qualified for the Libertadores Cup in 2005 and 2006. Palmeiras was eliminated by rivals São Paulo in the Round of 16 in both years.

In 2007, Palmeiras had its legend Edmundo playing his last season for the club, and almost achieving one of the top 4 positions in the Série A, failing to do it in the final round of the tournament.

In 2008, Palmeiras made a sponsorship agreement with Traffic, a Sports Marketing Agency. The club made some big investments on new players and also on coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo. This new strategy paid off with the 22nd Paulista Championship, with a 5–0 victory over Ponte Preta in the final's 2nd leg. Palmeiras finished 4th in the Campeonato Brasileiro, which qualified them to the 2009 edition of the Copa Libertadores.

Allianz Parque

The year of 2008 also marked the beginning of the planning phase for a new stadium for the club, as well as remodeling the social club, to prepare Palmeiras for the club's centenary year in 2014. The planned arena is now Allianz Parque.

In 2009, the club reached the quarterfinals of Copa Libertadores, eventually losing to Uruguayan side Nacional on away goals. In the same season, Palmeiras was close to winning the Brazilian League, but political problems inside the club caused internal turmoil and affected on-field performances, and Palmeiras finished the League in the 5th position.

From 2010 to 2014, Palmeiras played its home matches in the municipal Pacaembu Stadium, as the previous home ground Palestra Itália Stadium was demolished to accommodate the club's new arena, it is now the most technological stadium in Brazil.

Marcos Assunção

In 2012, Palmeiras won the Copa do Brasil for the second time, beating Coritiba in the final.[26] The team, led by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and captained by midfielder Marcos Assunção, was unbeaten in the championship.

Less than 3 months after winning the Copa do Brasil, Scolari would leave the club that was having poor appearances in the Campeonato Brasileiro. This way, Palmeiras signed with Gilson Kleina,[27] then coach of Ponte Preta, but the team failed to improve its performances in tournament and was relegated to the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B, for the second time since 2002, in its history, after a draw against Flamengo, on November 18, in round 36 of the 2012 Série A.[28]

In 2013, now under the administration of President Paulo Nobre,[29] elected in the end of 2012, and with a campaign with clear superiority in the Série B, Palmeiras was promoted back to the first division with six games to spare, ensuring participation in the Série A of 2014, the year of the club's centenary.

Palmeiras suffered a setback early on in its 2014 centenary season as head coach Kleina was sacked, swiftly followed by the departure of striker Alan Kardec and defender Henrique.[30] Argentinian Ricardo Gareca was signed to coach the team after the break for the World Cup in Brazil, but failed to meet expectations and was sacked after a short spell. Dorival Júnior replaced Gareca until the end of the season, as the club was fighting against relegation. With first goalkeeper Fernando Prass and midfielder Jorge Valdivia both returning from injury, the players led Palmeiras throughout the second turn as the club managed to avoid relegation and finished the League in the 16th position.[31]

Palmeiras' supporters in Allianz Parque in the 2018 Brazil Cup final

Gabriel Jesus

In 2015, Palmeiras made a big reformulation in the whole club, with the arrival of a new coach and a new football director. The club signed 25 players in the year, as almost every player from the 2014 squad was negotiated, and also promoted several new talents from the club's youth teams. Palmeiras also improved its program of associated fans, the Avanti, increasing the number to 114 thousand associated fans.[32]

The new season was also Palmeiras' first one playing in the newly built home arena, the Allianz Parque, that seats 43,713 fans and consists of fully covered spectator seating, and was inaugurated on November 19, 2014.[33]

Zé Roberto

Palmeiras reached the Campeonato Paulista finals, which they lost on penalties to rival's Santos.[34]

On June 9, 2015, head coach Oswaldo de Oliveira was sacked by Palmeiras due to a slow start during the Campeonato Brasileiro.[35] On June 10, 2015, Palmeiras reached an agreement with Marcelo Oliveira, recently sacked from Cruzeiro and Brazilian champion of 2013 and 2014.

Palmeiras won the Copa do Brasil for a third time on December 2, 2015. After a 1–0 loss to Santos in the finals first match, the players were received at the stadium by more than forty thousand supporters, as they all watched the second match outside the stadium while thousands were inside the stadium. Palmeiras won the second match 2–1, both goals were scored by Dudu, and secured the trophy on penalties at Allianz Parque, with goalkeeper Fernando Prass saving a penalty and converting the last one. Gabriel Jesus was a great revelation of that team, while the experience of full back Zé Roberto was also fundamental for Palmeiras to win the competition.

Palmeiras' supporters in Allianz Parque

With this title, Palmeiras increased its supremacy as Brazil's greatest champion, with 12 national titles, being 8 League, 1 Brazilian Champions Cup and 3 Copa do Brasil titles.[36] Also, as champions of the 2015 Copa do Brasil, the club secured a place in the 2016 Copa Libertadores group stage.

Dudu raises Palmeiras Brazilian Champion trophy in 2016

On 12 March 2016, Palmeiras reached a verbal agreement with Cuca as the head coach.[37] Palmeiras also signed some key players for the 2016 season which included: Edu Dracena (champions in 2015), Moisés, Roger Guedes, Jean (champion in 2008 with São Paulo FC and 2012 with Fluminense ), Yerry Mina, and Tchê Tchê.

Bruno Henrique raises Palmeiras Brazilian Champion trophy in 2018

After a dominant year being in first place for 29 rounds, Cuca led Palmeiras to break their 22 years of not winning a national league title. With the help of Gabriel Jesus, the leading goal scorer for Palmeiras, he led the team to win their ninth league title with 12 goals. On 27 November 2016, Palmeiras was guaranteed the title before the 38th round, beating Chapecoense at home 1–0 with a goal from Fabiano in the 26'.[38] With the presence of 40,986 attendees, they broke the old record attendance of 40,035 which was when Palmeiras played against Santos on 12 July 2016.

On 25 November 2018, Palmeiras clinched its 10th Campeonato Brasileiro title after defeating Vasco 1–0 in Rio de Janeiro, making it the club with the most domestic titles in Brazil. On 2 December 2018, Palmeiras played their last season game in front of a record-breaking 41,216 crowd. With the win over Vitória 3–2, Palmeiras set a new Campeonato Brasileiro record for the longest undefeated streak (23 matches).[39]

Felipe Melo raises Palmeiras Paulista Championship trophy in 2020

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Palmeiras beat arch-rival Corinthians in a historic final of the Campeonato Paulista. In the first decision in the history of the competition and among teams without any spectators at the stadium, Palmeiras won after beating Corinthians in the penalty shootout.[40]

Gustavo Gómez and Felipe Melo lift Palmeiras Libertadores Cup trophy

On 30 January 2021, Palmeiras won the 2020 Copa Libertadores against FC Santos, with a score of 1–0, in a single match in a decisive confrontation held at Maracanã Stadium. It was Palmeiras' second title in the competition.[41]

As champions, Palmeiras qualifed for the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar, and earned the right to play against the winners of the 2020 Copa Sudamericana in the 2021 Recopa Sudamericana.[42]

Estádio Palestra Itália was home of Palmeiras from 1917 to 2010. The venue was also known as Parque Antártica because the area was a park built by the Antarctica Paulista Brewing Company in the beginning of the last century, before being acquired by Palmeiras in 1920. In the past its capacity was listed as 35,000 spectators. However, even though its grandstands were extended in the late 1990s, it held only seats 27,640 people[43] due to regulations which enforce safety and comfort.

Estádio Palestra Itália in 2010

It was one of the most important Brazilian grounds, considering the amount of decisive and important matches played there. Examples of matches played in Palestra Itália include 1999 Copa Libertadores final, the Copa Mercosur finals of 1998, 1999 and 2000, 1996 Copa do Brasil final and several Campeonato Paulista finals.

The last official match played in the stadium was against Grêmio for the Série A on May 22, 2010, and the last match played was a friendly against Boca Juniors on July 9, 2010.

The new Allianz Parque

External view

Opened in November 2014, the Allianz Parque has 43,713 covered seats, being 25,395 lower seats, 14,888 upper seats and 3,430 in the cabins.[1] The stadium was built for multipurpose events. Many other facilities are in place, including an enhanced parking area, a VIP area, a media center for up to 1,000 media members, 3 restaurants and bars and an heliport. The first official game at Allianz Parque was held on November 19, 2014, between Palmeiras and Sport in the Brazilian Série A, when hosts Palmeiras lost to Sport Recife 0–2. The first official goal of the stadium was scored by Ananias.

On 14 June 2015, Palmeiras won their first Brasileirão match in Allianz Parque with a 2–1 win over Fluminense.

(*) Information not available.

• ¹ As of 27 November 2017.
• ¹ Source: World Football[46]

Crefisa, a Brazilian bank, announced it would sponsor Palmeiras for the 2015 season.[49] After their success in the 2016 Campeonato Brasileiro, Crefisa announced it would increase fundings to R$90 million.[50]

Palmeiras' biggest rival is Corinthians. The rivalry between the two clubs is considered Brazil's greatest, and the most intense in country, entering the conversation of being one of the biggest rivalries in the world, and considerably one of the oldest as well. their matches are known as the Paulista Derby. Palmeiras was featured heavily in the film O Casamento de Romeu e Julieta where the rivalry between Palmeiras and Corinthians played a major role in the plot.

Palmeiras against São Paulo in 2007

São Paulo FC is another major local rival; the games between the two clubs are called the Choque-Rei (King Clash).

Santos FC is another major rival; the games between the two clubs are called the Clássico da Saudade (The Good Times Classic). Located in the city of the same name, only 76 km (47,5 mi) from São Paulo, Santos is also one of the 4 big clubs of the state.

The club's official mascots are a green parakeet, named Periquito, and a pig, named Gobatto.[58]

During the late 1960s, fans of Palmeiras' biggest rivals Corinthians would mockingly refer to the team as "Pig", (Porco in Portuguese, a slur used by the elite directed to Italians or Italo-Brazilians residing in São Paulo) and soon after, other teams followed.

In 1986, at the Campeonato Paulista playoffs, supporters adopted the pig like their mascot.[59] Although the parakeet is the official mascot, fans will refer to and yell: "PORCO!" (Pig) enthusiastically during matches, as the pig became their preferred mascot.

On November 6, 2016, Palmeiras incorporated the pig as one of the official mascots of the club.

Palmeiras flag

Palmeiras's anthem was composed in 1949 by conductor Antonio Sergi. Sergi also wrote the lyrics for the anthem, but did that under the pseudonym Gennaro Rodrigues.[60]

Quando surge o alviverde imponente
(When the imposing white-green emerges)
No gramado em que a luta o aguarda
(On the pitch where battle awaits)
Sabe bem o que vem pela frente
(Aware of what lies before it)
Que a dureza do prélio não tarda
(That the struggle of the game is approaching)

E o Palmeiras no ardor da partida
(And Palmeiras, in the heat of the match)
Transformando a lealdade em padrão
(Making loyalty its norm)
Sabe sempre levar de vencida
(Always knows how to emerge victorious)
E mostrar que de fato é campeão
(And show that it's indeed the champion)

Defesa que ninguém passa
(Impenetrable defense)
Linha atacante de raça
(Vigorous attacking line)
Torcida que canta e vibra
(Singing, cheering supporters)

Por nosso alviverde inteiro
(For our white-green as a whole)
Que sabe ser brasileiro
(That knows how to be Brazilian)
Ostentando a sua fibra
(Boasting its fiber)

As of 27 November 2020.[61]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  BRA Weverton 2 DF  BRA Marcos Rocha 3 DF  BRA Emerson Santos 4 DF  CHI Benjamín Kuscevic 5 MF  BRA Patrick de Paula 6 DF  BRA Alan Empereur (on loan from Hellas Verona) 8 MF  BRA Zé Rafael 9 FW  BRA Luan Silva (on loan from Vitória) 10 FW  BRA Luiz Adriano (3rd captain) 11 FW  BRA Rony 12 DF  BRA Mayke 13 DF  BRA Luan 14 MF  BRA Gustavo Scarpa 15 DF  PAR Gustavo Gómez (vice-captain)

No. Pos. Nation Player 16 DF  BRA Lucas Esteves 17 DF  URU Matías Viña 19 FW  BRA Breno Lopes 20 MF  BRA Lucas Lima 21 FW  BRA Wesley 22 GK  BRA Jailson 23 MF  BRA Raphael Veiga 25 MF  BRA Gabriel Menino 27 FW  BRA Gabriel Veron 28 MF  BRA Danilo 29 FW  BRA Willian 30 DF  BRA Felipe Melo (captain) 72 GK  BRA Vinicius Silvestre

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 26 DF  BRA Renan 36 MF  BRA Vitinho 38 FW  BRA Marcelinho 44 DF  BRA Henri 49 FW  BRA Gabriel Silva

No. Pos. Nation Player 56 DF  ECU Jean Quiñonez 57 FW  BRA Pedro Acácio 58 FW  PAR Anibal Vega 59 FW  COL Marino Hinestroza

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player — MF  BRA Jean — FW  BRA Papagaio

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player — DF  BRA Juninho (at Bahia until 31 December 2021) — DF  BRA Pedrão (at Nacional until 30 June 2021) — DF  BRA Victor Luis (at Botafogo until 25 February 2021) — MF  BRA Alan (at Guarani until 31 January 2021) — MF  BRA Gabriel Furtado (at Vitória until 31 January 2021) — MF  BRA Hyoran (at Atlético Mineiro until 25 February 2021) — MF  BRA Matheus Neris (at Figueirense until 30 April 2021) — MF  BRA Matheus Sales (at Coritiba until 25 February 2021) — MF  BRA Vitinho (at Red Bull Bragantino until 25 February 2021)

No. Pos. Nation Player — FW  BRA Carlos Eduardo (at Athletico Paranaense until 31 December 2022) — FW  BRA Deyverson (at Deportivo Alavés until 30 June 2021) — FW  BRA Dudu (at Al-Duhail until 30 June 2021) — FW  BRA Gabriel Barbosa (at Figueirense until 31 January 2021) — FW  COL Iván Angulo (at Botafogo until 25 February 2021) — FW  BRA Léo Passos (at América Mineiro until 31 December 2022) — FW  COL Miguel Borja (at Atlético Junior until 25 February 2021) — FW  BRA Yan (at Moreirense until 30 June 2023)

The club associates congregate in a general assembly every four years to elect the seventy-six members of the Conselho Deliberativo (Deliberating Council)[62] who in their turn chose amongst them a president for a two-year mandate.[63] As of 2006 the president can only be re-elected once.[64]

These are all Palmeiras presidents since the club's foundation:[65][66]

Heitor

These are Palmeiras's top scorers since its foundation (data as of 1 February 2016):

#	Name	Goals	Years
1	Heitor	327	1916–31
2	César Maluco	180	1967–74
3	Ademir da Guia	153	1961–77
4	Lima	149	1938–54
5	Servílio	140	1963–68
6	Evair	127	1991–94, 1999
7	Humberto	126	1953–58, 1960–61
8	Rodrigues	125	1950–55
9	Luizinho	123	1935–41
10	Tupãzinho	122	1963–68

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A

• Champions (10): 1960, 1967, 1967, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1993, 1994, 2016, 2018 (record)

Copa do Brasil

• Champions (3): 1998, 2012, 2015

Copa dos Campeões

• Champions: 2000

Campeonato Brasileiro Série B

• Champions (2): 2003, 2013

Torneio Rio-São Paulo[lower-alpha 1]

• Champions (5): 1933, 1951, 1965, 1993, 2000

Taça dos Campeões Estaduais Rio–São Paulo

• Champions (4): 1926, 1934, 1942, 1947

Campeonato Paulista

• Champions (25): 1920, 1926, 1926 (extra[lower-alpha 2]), 1927, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1938 (extra[lower-alpha 3]), 1940, 1942, 1944, 1947, 1950, 1959 (super-championship[lower-alpha 4]), 1963, 1966, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2008, 2020

Copa Libertadores

• Champions (2): 1999, 2020

Copa Mercosul

• Champions: 1998

Copa Rio (Official)[14][71][72][73][74]

• Champions: 1951

* 1978 Kirin Cup Shared with Borussia Mönchengladbach.

• Campeonato Paulista Feminino de Futebol (1): 2001

Oscar Schmidt

Leandro Barbosa and Oscar Schmidt, two of the best Brazilian basketball players of all time, started their careers at Palmeiras.