Esporte Clube Internacional (Santa Maria)

Esporte Clube Internacional, also known as Inter de Santa Maria to differentiate it from Internacional de Porto Alegre, is a traditional club from the interior of Rio Grande do Sul, founded in 1928. It is one of the oldest and most successful teams in the city of Santa Maria.

History

Founded on May 16, 1928, Esporte Clube Internacional was born from meetings between young football enthusiasts at the defunct Guarany Café, in Santa Maria (RS). Originally the club used black, yellow and red colors, but changed its visual identity during World War II to red and white, avoiding association with Nazi Germany's colors. The club plays its matches at Estádio Presidente Vargas, also known by supporters as 'Baixada Melancólica', with a capacity of 12,000 people. Inter-SM has accumulated thirteen titles throughout its trajectory in competitions from the interior of Rio Grande do Sul. Its moment of greatest national prominence occurred in 1982, when it competed in the Brazilian Championship Series A, finishing the competition in 21st place. Currently, the club remains active competing in the Campeonato Gaúcho.