Brazilian Championship. Copa Paulista
The Copa Paulista, or Campeonato Paulista, is Brazil's oldest and most prestigious state football tournament, contested by clubs from the state of Sao Paulo. It acts as a crucial preseason competition, honing teams for the Serie A campaign while unearthing new talents and refining strategies.
History and foundation
Founded in 1902, it's the cradle of Brazilian soccer. Sao Bento claimed the inaugural title. Sao Paulo and Corinthians dominated the 1920s-1930s, but Santos, powered by Pele, secured 22 consecutive wins from 1954 to 1973. Iconic moments include Corinthians' 2018 penalty shootout victory over Palmeiras and the 2005 match-fixing scandal involving Internacional. The tournament evolved with playoff introductions in the 1980s.
Tournament format
Featuring around 16 teams split into two groups of eight, the initial phase involves round-robin matches within groups, home and away. Group winners and top runners-up advance to quarterfinals, followed by semifinals and a final—all two-legged ties, with penalties deciding draws after extra time in recent formats. It runs from January to April.
Interesting facts
Average goals per game hover at 2.7, emphasizing flair and attack. Pele holds the scoring record with 468 for Santos. Stars like Neymar (136 goals for Palmeiras/Santos), Ronaldo (Sao Paulo), Kaka, and Hulk shone here. Current standouts include Gabriel Barbosa and Claudinho from Red Bull Bragantino. It's a launchpad for prospects like Enzo Fernandez heading to Europe.