The São Paulo Cup of Jr Football and the Youth Football in Brazil
Index
Do you know the São Paulo Cup of Jr Football? What about the “Copinha”?
It is no news that brazilian football is directly responsible for the game’s beauty, contributing with a series of exceptional players, capable for promoting espectacules where they passed by.
The formations of those players is influenced by social and cultural matters reggarding brazilian people. However, can only that explain such a success?
In this article, an atique story will be told, beginning in 1969, the year that give birth to the São Paulo Cup of Jr Football, the tournment responsible for lauching countless legends of football.
The beginning of São Paulo Cup of Jr Football
The São Paulo Cup of Jr Football is known as the biggest youth competion in the world. It was created in 1969 by São Paulo city hall. At the first year of the tournment, Corinthians became the champion and the competition was formed only bt 4 teams.
However, the tournment did not stand small. It grew past the years, counting with the participation of several teams considered enourmous, such as Vélez Sarsfield (1981 e 1982), Boca Juniors (1993), Bayern de Munique (1985), Peñarol (1993) and the Japanese (1995) and Chinese (1997) Under 20 National Teams.
This edition (53rd), that began the last January 2nd, has 128 clubs, divided in 32 groups. It shows the intercontinental proportions reached by São Paulo Cup of Jr Football.
Furthermore, São Paulo Cup of Jr Football has its final always dated to the January 25th, day in which it is celebrated the city’s birthday.
Therefore, it has as stage, traditionally, The Paulo Machado de Carvalho Stadium, the Pacaembu, the city’s postal card.
Although, the stage must be replaced, due to the construction work that is being done. So, the final’s location is still a mistery. Last years edition had the Allianz Park, Palmeiras’ stadium to host the final between Palmeiras and Santos.
Champion Chart
Corinthians is the one that holds the most titles, with 10. It is followed by Fluminense and Internacional that won 5 times. São Paulo and Flamengo won it 4 times. Palmeiras is the current champion and defends its title.
The Competition’s Value
São Paulo Cup of Jr Football is extremelly important in the brazilian scenario, thus it is a huge showcase for young players and it offers an unique opportunity for them to show their talent and highlight their game. It contributes for the formation and prospection of the players.
Therefore, there is the possibility of professional teams to observe and select the best players to their squad.
Launching great talents
São Paulo Cup of Jr Football, since the beginning, as said before, has great value when it comes to launching great players, such as: (1972) Paulo Roberto Falcão, o The King of Rome – SC Internacional/RS and (1993) Rogério Ceni – São Paulo FC, the 2002 World Cup Champions and all time top scorer goalkeeper.
Also, the 1994 World Cup champion, (1983) Raí – Botafogo de Ribeirão Preto; the 1999 and 2002 Golden Boot, (1993) Jardel – CR Vasco da Gama; Besides the multichampions for AC Milan, (1993) Dida – EC Vitória.
As it was not enough, the tournment has in its resume the 2002 World Champion (1994) Luizão – Guarani FC and the Barcelona star, (1997) Deco – SC Corinthians.
Yet, it launched a series of players that had stupendous careers in Brazil and Europe, such as: (1999) Edu Gaspar – SC Corinthians; (2002) Robinho – Santos FC; (2003) Fred – América Mineiro; (2010) Lucas Moura – São Paulo FC and (2019) Antony – São Paulo FC.
The future
Hence, a new competition begins. With it the hope of the boys and their clubs. But not only that, it borns the hope of global football and the expectation of the arrival of more brilliant athletes from the holy soil of football.
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Written by Vitor F L Miller e Henry Miller
