São Paulo FC: Football, Culture, and Community in Brazil’s Biggest City

Feature, Sport
C.S

March 26, 2025

“Feeling the stands shake with the crowd singing and jumping is unreal.”

For many football fans, São Paulo Futebol Clube is more than just a team—it is a symbol of the city’s passion for the game.

Giba Sousa and Rafael Pasquini, lifelong supporters, share their love for the club, the culture of football in São Paulo, and why the Morumbi Stadium is a must-visit for any football enthusiast.

A Club with History and Prestige

“São Paulo is the only team in Brazil that has won every possible championship,” the pair explain.

“It’s got an incredible history and even helped make the Libertadores a big deal in the country.”

The club has also given the footballing world one of its most legendary figures: Rogério Ceni.

“The guy holds multiple records and is the highest-scoring goalkeeper in football history.”

The club’s success is woven into the city’s identity, and its achievements extend beyond domestic triumphs.

São Paulo FC has won more international titles than any of its local rivals, helping to bring global recognition to Brazilian football.

A Childhood Shaped by São Paulo FC

Giba and Rafael’s love for the club began in the 1990s, an era that saw São Paulo FC dominate the sport with an iconic squad.

“We grew up in the ’90s, right when São Paulo had legends like Raí, Cafu, Zetti, and of course, the iconic Telê Santana.

The team was strong and relentless, and my family was always pushing me to watch the games. I ended up falling in love with it.”

This sense of generational devotion is common in Brazil, where football is deeply ingrained in everyday life.

“Football culture is very strong in Brazil—we could say it is almost genetic. You are born with it.

In conversations at bars, at work, at school, in WhatsApp groups, football is always a topic, especially in São Paulo.”

The Morumbi Experience

Attending a match at Morumbi, São Paulo’s stadium, is an unforgettable experience.

“Going to a match at Morumbi is an emotional experience. Besides being a beautiful stadium full of history, feeling the stands shake with the crowd singing and jumping is unreal.

Screaming ‘goal,’ watching the team bus arrive, and supporting the players—it’s a one-of-a-kind feeling.”

Morumbi is also the biggest private stadium in Brazil, and Giba believes everyone should witness a game there, particularly during the Libertadores.

“Everyone should have the opportunity to watch a Libertadores game in a packed Morumbi and feel the mystique of this stadium.”

Football as a Way of Life

Football is a constant presence in São Paulo. “Wherever you look in everyday life, there is always something related to football—whether it is the always-packed soccer courts, the bars showing sports programmes, children playing football in the street, even in the way people look on the street.”

The rivalry between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro’s clubs is well-known, but Giba sees more similarities than differences.

“The teams with the most fans are located in Rio and Sao Paulo, for example.”

Looking Ahead to 2025

Despite some financial struggles, Giba remains optimistic about the club’s future.

“The club has been going through difficult times due to its finances; it is being restructured, but this year we have a good base in the squad and interesting players have joined the team, such as Oscar, Wendell and Cedric, in addition to counting on Lucas Moura.”

His greatest hope? “The focus should be on the cups to win a title, and the biggest hope is to win the Libertadores Cup for the fourth time, which is the championship that the fans most idolise.”