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Cruzeiro Esporte Clube

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Cruzeiro
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube's logo
Full nameCruzeiro Esporte Clube
Nickname(s)Raposa (The Fox),
Clube Celeste (Celestial Team),
Seleção Azul (The Blue Selection)
FoundedJanuary 2, 1921
GroundMineirão, Belo Horizonte,
Minas Gerais, Brazil
Capacity75,000
ChairmanBrazil Alvimar de O. Costa
ManagerBrazil Paulo César Gusmão
LeagueBrazilian Série A
2005Brazilian Série A, 8th

Cruzeiro Esporte Clube is a Brazilian football team, from the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, founded on January 2, 1921. It is the only Brazilian team to have won the triple crown for winning the Brazilian League, Brazilian Cup, State Championship, and all in the same year.

Cruzeiro, like most Brazilian clubs, are also known to spend their money within Brazil to secure the services of Brazilian footballer instead of foreign players. Along with that they have been the first to spot some of histories greatest players. Cruzeiro are also a team of class, they are among 4 teams in Brazil, Internacional, Flamengo, and Vasco da Gama, to not be relegated. Cruzeiro are usually among the top five favorites for most of there tournaments, they are among the top 5 clubs in Brazil and usually rank within the top 50 of the International Federation of Football History and Statistics.

Even though the club's main focus is football, Cruzeiro also offers other less professional teams as well. These include track and field, bocce, and bowling.[1] In addition the club also has a sports school for children of different ages, among the programs and sports offered there are bellet, basketball, futsal, gymnastic, volleyball, and more.

History

The Palestra Years

The Early Palestra Years

Cruzeiro was born off a political administrative crisis at Yale, one of the first sporting clubs of Belo Horizonte, a city where already some Italian immigrants militated. The Italians in Belo Horizonte, wanted to follow the example of the Italians in São Paulo, who had established a football club, the Palestra Itália, now Palmeiras. The people of Belo Horizonte wanted the Italian colony in Minas Gerais to have its own club as well.

Yale, formed in 1906, competed in the Campeonato de Belo Horizonte (Belo Horizonte Championship) up to 1925, when it gave up football. The majority of the players of Yale were of Italian origin and when the Palestra Itália was created, had a total bond to the new club. With the disagreement in Yale, in a rainy night on December of 1920, Yale seperated and the Palestra Itália (of Belo Horizonte) was born, also known as Palestra Mineiro.

The Later Palestra Years

The initiative was taken by Null Savini, Spagnuolo Sundays, Sílvio Pirani, Júlio Lazarotti, Hamleto Magnavacca, Henriqueto Pirani and João Ranieri. Other Italians had promised to help in what was necessary, especially financially. Some years later, Yale ended, but in the same time its still lives, through Cruzeiro. On December 20, 1920, the Italian Consul of Belo Horizonte decided on a meeting, which had the presence of 195 people, of which 92 had signed an act. Some proposals had been made and approved, marking a new meeting to be held on January 2, 1921, at the same time and place. On this day, January 2, 1921, about 250 Italians had appeared for the great event, the foundation of the Sociedade Esportiva Palestra Itália, or Societá Sportiva Palestra Itália. The adopted colors, as it could not be otherwise, were the same ones of the Italian flag: green, red, and white (in 2005 the colors reappeared in the training uniforms). The first uniform of the club was a green jersey, white shorts and red stockings. On the shield, in the form of a rhombus, were the initials SSPI. The club only allowed participation of men from the Italian colony, until 1925, when it opened its doors for sportsmen of any nationality

The debut of the Palestra in the lawns of Belo Horizonte was in the Stadium of the Prado Mineiro. It was in a friendly, on April 3, 1921, against a combination from Nova Lima, uniting players of Villa Nova, which was the club of the English, and Palmeiras, another team form that city. The Palestra won 2 v 0. The goals were from Nani (Lazarotti João), in the 16 minute of the first half and in the 7 minute of the second half. The Palestra team was formed by: Nullo, Polenta and Ciccio; Checchino, Américo and Bassi; Lino, Spartaco, Nani, Henriqueto and Armandinho. Nova Lima: Ferreira, Marcondes, Ruanico, Christovão, Bahiano, Oscar, Raymundo, Gentil, Badu, Damaso e Juá.

The first official presentation of the Palestra to the sporting public of Belo Horizonte was in a game against Clube Atlético Mineiro, where the Palestra won 2 to 0. The team of the Palestra contained: Nullo, Henriqueto and Polenta; Grande, Gallo and Checchino; Pederzoli, Parizi, Nani, Attílio and Armandinho.

Finally Cruzeiro EC

On January of 1942, Brazil entered the Second World War and a decree of the Federal Government forbade the use of terms from enemy nations in entities, institutions, establishments, etc. With this, the Italian name was removed and the directors of the club took 10 months to create a new name and symbol for the club that was entirely Brazilian. The name was changed to Ypiranga, but after a defeat on their debut the name was removed. On October a consensus of the directors approved the name Cruzeiro Esporte Clube. Cruzeiro is a constellation of the Southern Cross, and can only be seen from the southern hemisphere, therefore, not related to Italy. The uniform also switched to a blue shirt and stockings, and white shorts, (vice-versa when away).

Only, however, in November of 1942, did Cruzeiro Esporte Clube make its first presentation to the world, using the blue-starred shirt, erasing themselves, of the existence of the glorious Palestra Itália. The first presentation as Cruzeiro Esporte Clube happened in November 11, 1942, in the fields of América, a game refereed by João Narciso. Cruzeiro Esporte Clube won 1 to 0 over America, with a goal by Ismael, in the 38 minutes of the first half. Cruzeiro‘s team that day was: Geraldo II, Gerson and Azevedo; Rizão, Juca and Caieirinha; Nogueirinha, Orlando Fantoni, Niginho, Ismael and Zezé Papatela. Manager: Bengala. America: Aldo, Lulu, Pescoço, Cabral, Célio Bizzoto, Du, Coquinho, Alfredinho, Gabardinho, Gerson and Cara Larga. Manager: Jacyr de Assis.

With the inauguration of the Mineirão, the Giant of Pampulha, in 1965, Cruzeiro transformed itself, permanently. It became a national football power, and became well known. The “celestial team” introduced Brazil and the world to stars such as Tostão, Piazza, Natal, Dirceu Lopes, and many others. Cruzeiro became the first great football force in Brazil, aside from the Rio-São Paulo teams.

The Golden Era

Cruzeiro started to have national prominence in the 60s, when a team with players such as Tostão, Wilson Piazza and Fontana took the club to the tetracampeonato mineiro and the conquest of Taça Brasil on top of Santos of Pelé (winning 6x2 in the Mineirão and 3x2 in São Paulo).

In 1976, Cruzeiro conquered its first Copa Libertadores de América, over River Plate of Argentina, being vice champions of the same competition in 1977, defeated by Boca Juniors of Argentina. In the Campeonato Brasileiro, in 1974 Cruzeiro were vice champions for the first time, after losing a very confusing, decisive match against Vasco. Later in 1975 once again they were vice champions this time it was a loss toInternational. In the 1970's Cruzeiro had a lot of success in other area's, like in 1976, one of their finest hours, where they went to the finals of the Intercontinental Cup, now renamed as the FIFA Club World Championship, and faced a strong Bayern Munich side who defeated them 2-0 on aggregate (it stayed 0-0 at the Mineirão).

The 80s were not very positive for the club. During the 1980s the club did not have much success nor did they win many titles, but fortunately for them, the drought did not last long.

Among the top Brazilian football clubs, Cruzeiro has an impressive list of titles that can only be compared to a few others in Brazil. It is undoubtedly the most successful club in present-day Minas Gerais. In 1990 the clubs drought vanished and it initiated a sequence of 16 years earning at least one title per year. That included, two Supercopa Sudamericana (1991, 1992), a South American Recopa (1998), four Copa do Brasil (1993, 1996, 2000, 2003), a Copa Oro (1995), a Supercopa Masters (1995), two Copa Sul-Minas (2001, 2002), nine Campeonato Mineiro (1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997,1998, 2003, 2004, 2006), a Copa Centro-Oeste (1999), Supercampeonato Mineiro (2002), a second Copa Libertadores de América (1997) and the Campeonato Brasileiro (2003) and many other titles not listed.

In this period the Cruzeirense earned some ídolos as well, between them Charles, Boiadeiro, Douglas, Ademir, Renato Gaúcho, Ronaldo, Nonato, Dida, Ricardinho, Marcelo Ramos, Alex Alves, Sorín, Fred, and Alex.

Rivalry with Atlético

Like every state or region there are two main football force and through out time they become great rivals. Atlético and Cruzeiro are no exception. It’s the biggest derby in Minas, and besides Rio and Sao Paulo derbies, it’s one the biggest in Brazil.

There is always a big feud between the two fans, some claiming one is stronger and the other claiming the other is stronger. Overall, Atlético has managed to win 184 derby matches, Cruzeiro has won 143 and there have been 120 draws, out of 432 derbies. Cruzeiro have won over 106 titles (official and nonofficial) making it by far the most successful of the two. Cruzeiro have also the biggest fan base in Brazil, besided Rio and Sao Paulo teams, and the biggest in Minas, they have around 2x as many as Atlético, according to a survey. Through championships and fans it is safe to say Cruzeiro are the most successful team in present day Minas, and Atlético were unable to prove this wrong as they were relegated to the Brazilian Série B in 2005, one of the saddest moment in Atléticos history.

But when the two play it seems like history or statistics mean nothing to the players, because every time the two play a show is truly put on for their fans.

The Modern Era: 2003-Present

The biggest exploit of the last decade happened in 2003, when Cruzeiro under the command of the respected coach Wanderley Luxemburg and commanded by Alex conquered the triple crown. For years Cruzeiro struggled to win the Brazilian League, without success. After a few second places, in 2003 they were finally able to win the only title it did not have until then. With 100 points won during the season, and just over 100 goals scored, it will be a long time until another club achieves the same success as Cruzeiro did in 2003. In 2003, besides winning the Brazilian League, Cruzeiro also won the Brazilian Cup and the State Championship to become the first Brazilian team to win the triple crown.

In 2004 Cruzeiro continued to do well, they won the Belo Horizonte Youth Cup, and, with Sorin, won the Campeonato Mineiro. After much glory, in 2005 Cruzeiro did not win a major title, something they’ve been doing since 1990. Not only did they not when a title they fell to 8th in the league in 2005, a bad performance for them. In 2006 with a combination of young and experienced talent, they got of to a good start winning the Campeonato Mineiro, there 34th, now only 4 titles away from archrivals Atlético, who haven’t won in 6 years. They have also got of to a good start in the league table, making some believe they might have a good chance of a good placement in the table or even maybe winning.

Mascot

Fernando Pieruccetti, more popularly known as Mangabeira, created the club's mascot. The mascot was a fox, raposa, in Brazil. The club is widely known in the country for their mascot, it appears on TV and on websites that have to do with Cruzeiro.

Mangabeira was so inspired by the clubs ex-president's, Mario Grossa, personality of being so smart and cunning with the clubs business, that he thought the raposa was perfect. "He was a guy who never let anyone trick him. He was so sly, crafty, intelligent and clever just like a fox", observed the cartoonist.

Presidents

  • Aurélio Noce (1921-1922)
  • Alberto Noce (1923-1924)
  • Américo Gasparini (1925-1926, 1928)
  • Antonio Falci (1927, 1929-1930)
  • Braz Pelegrino (1927-1928)
  • Lidio Lunardi (1931-1932)
  • José Viana de Souza (1933)
  • Miguel Perrela (1933-1936)
  • Romeo de Paoli (1936)
  • Osvaldo Pinto Coelho (1936-1940)
  • Ennes Cyro Poni (1941-1942)
  • Together: João Fantoni, Wilson Saliba, Mario Torneli (1942)
  • Mário Grosso (1942-1947)
  • Fernando Tamietti (1947, 1950)
  • Antônio Cunha Lobo (1947-1949)
  • Antônio Alves Simões (1949)
  
  • Manoel F. Campos (1950)
  • Divino Ramos (1951)
  • José Greco (1952-1953, 1955)
  • Wellington Armanelli (1954)
  • José Francisco Lemos Filho (1954)
  • Eduardo S. Bambirra (1955-1956)
  • Manoel A. de Carvalho (1957-1958)
  • Antonio Braz Lopes Pontes (1959-1960)
  • Felicio Brandi (1961-1982)
  • Carmine Furletti (1983-1984)
  • Benito Masci (1985-1990)
  • Salvador Masci (1990)
  • César Masci (1991-1994)
  • José Perrella de Oliveira Costa (Zezé Perrella) (1995-2002)
  • Alvimar de Oliveira Costa (2003-

Cruzeiro anthem

The club's anthem, Hino ao Campeão Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, was written by Jadir Ambrósio.

Relevant titles

International titles

  1. 1976: Raul, Nelinho, Morais, Darci, Vanderlei; Piazza, Zé Carlos; Roberto Batata (Eduardo), Jairzinho, Palhinha, Joãozinho. C: Zezé Moreira
  2. 1997: Dida, Vitor, Gelson Baresi, Wilson Gottardo, Nonato; Donizete Oliveira, Fabinho, Ricardinho, Palhinha; Cleison (Elivélton), Marcelo Ramos. C: Paulo Autuori
  1. 1991: Paulo César, Paulo Roberto, Adílson, Paulão, Nonato; Ademir, Boiadeiro, Marquinhos, Luis Fernando; Mário Tilico, Charles. C: Ênio Andrade
  2. 1992: Paulo César, Paulo Roberto, Luizinho, Célio Lúcio, Nonato; Douglas, Boiadeiro, Luis Fernando; Renato Gaúcho, Roberto Gaúcho, Betinho. C: Jair Pereira
  1. 1998: André, Gustavo, Marcelo Djian, Cris (Espínola), André Luiz (Tércio); Donizete Oliveira (Donizeth Amorim), Ricardinho (Marcos Paulo), Valdo; Müller, Alex Alves (Paulo Isidoro), Marcelo Ramos (Geovanni). C: Levir Culpi
  • One Copa Oro: 1995
  • One Supercopa Masters: 1995

National titles

  1. 2003: Gomes, Maurinho, Cris, Edu Dracena (Luisão), Leandro; Felipe Melo (Augusto Recife), Maldonado, Wendell, Alex (Zinho); Márcio Nobre (Deivid), Aristizábal (Mota). C: Vanderlei Luxemburgo
  1. 1966: Raul, Pedro Paulo, William, Procópio, Neco; Piazza, Dirceu Lopes; Natal, Tostão, Evaldo, Hílton Oliveira. C: Aírton Moreira
  1. 1993: Paulo César, Paulo Roberto, Luizinho, Célio Lúcio, Nonato; Ademir, Rogério Lage, Boiadeiro; Roberto Gaúcho, Cleison, Edenílson. C: Formiga
  2. 1996: Dida, Vitor, Gelson Baresi (Jean), Célio Lúcio, Nonato; Fabinho, Ricardinho, Palhinha, Roberto Gaúcho; Cleison, Marcelo Ramos. C: Levir Culpi
  3. 2000: André, Rodrigo, Cris, Cléber, Sorín; Donizete Oliveira, Ricardinho, Marcos Paulo, Jackson; Geovanni (Müller), Oséas. C: Marco Aurélio
  4. 2003: Gomes, Maurinho, Cris, Luisão (Edu Dracena), Leandro; Augusto Recife, Jardel, Wendell, Alex; Deivid (Mota), Aristizábal. C: Vanderlei Luxemburgo
  1. 2001: Jefferson, Maicon, Cris, Cléber (Luisão), Sorín; Marcos Paulo, Sérgio Manoel, Ricardinho, Jorge Wagner; Geovanni (Marcelo Ramos), Oséas.
  2. 2002: Jefferson, Maicon, Marcelo Batatais, Luisão, Sorín; Fernando Miguel, Ricardinho, Vânder; Alessandro, Jussiê, Edílson.
  • Thirty-four State Championships: 1926, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1940, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1956, 1959,1960, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1984, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002*, 2003, 2004, 2006
  • Five Belo Horizonte Youth Cup: 1985, 1993, 1995, 2001, 2004

*The 2002 Minas Gerais State Championship had no teams that were playing Copa Sul-Minas: América Mineiro, Atlético Mineiro, Cruzeiro and Mamoré. These teams plus Caldense -- who won the State Championship -- played the Minas Gerais Super State Championship when the State Championship and the Copa Sul-Minas were finished.

Some famous players

  • Argentina Perfumo - the best backfield in the club's history
  • Brazil Brito - defender, 1970 World Cup Champion
  • Brazil Dida - 2002 World Cup Champion, currently in Milan, goalkeeper
  • Brazil Dirceu Lopes - scored 224 goals and 594 matches for Cruzeiro
  • Brazil Niginho - scored 207 goals in 272 appearances
  • Chile Tapia - currently in Unión Española
  • Uruguay Revétria - helped win the state championship in 1977

Some famous coaches

Squad

Current squad

As of March 30 2006 Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK Brazil BRA Fábio Deivison Lopes Maciel
— GK Brazil BRA Lauro Júnior Batista da Cruz
— GK Brazil BRA Tadeu de Jesus Nogueira Júnior (Juninho)
— GK Brazil BRA Flávio Henrique Esteves Guedes
— DF Brazil BRA André Augusto Leone
— DF Brazil BRA Irineu Calixto Couto
— DF Brazil BRA Leandro da Fonseca Euzébio
— DF Brazil BRA Eduardo Luís Abonízio Souza (Edu Dracena) (captain)
— DF Brazil BRA Moisés Moura Pinheiro
— DF Brazil BRA Luiz Carlos Nascimento Júnior (Luizão)
— DF Brazil BRA Leandro Silva Vanderley
— DF Brazil BRA Anderson Paim de Rodrigues
— DF Brazil BRA Júlio César Coelho Moraes Júnior
— DF Brazil BRA Jonathan Cícero Moreira
— DF Brazil BRA Luís Antônio de Oliveira (Luisinho)
— MF Brazil BRA Augusto Oliveira da Silva (Recife)
— MF Brazil BRA Diogo dos Santos Lima
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF Brazil BRA Emerson Aparecido Vivas Vergílio
— MF Brazil BRA Fábio dos Santos Barbosa
— MF Brazil BRA Jonilson Clovis Nascimento Breves
— MF Brazil BRA Luis Fernando Martinez
— MF Brazil BRA Francismar Carioca de Oliveira
— MF Brazil BRA Kerlon Moura Souza
— MF Brazil BRA Alexsandro Oliveira Duarte (Sandro)
— MF Brazil BRA Wagner Ferreira dos Santos
— MF Brazil BRA Geovanni Deiberson Maurício
— FW Brazil BRA Leandro de Bonfim
— FW Brazil BRA Alecsandro Barbosa Felisbino
— FW Brazil BRA Clemerson de Araújo Soares
— FW Brazil BRA Diego José Clementino
— FW Brazil BRA Giovane Élber de Souza
— FW Brazil BRA Gilberto Ribeiro Gonçalves (Gil)
— FW Brazil BRA Wando da Costa Silva
— FW Brazil BRA Francisco Jaílson de Sousa (Jajá)

Statistics 2002/03 Historic Season

First Division Position Pts P W D L F A
Cruzeiro EC 1 100 46 31 7 8 102 47

Stadium information

  • Name - Mineirão
  • City - Belo Horizonte
  • Capacity - 75,000
  • Inauguration - 1921
  • Pitch size - 110 x 75 mts.
  • Other Facilities - Toca da Raposa II

Notes

  1. ^ Bowling titles Bocce titles Track and field titles URL accessed 6 June 2006
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