Club Athletico Paulistano

One of the pioneering clubs of Brazilian football, Paulistano dominated the São Paulo State Championship in the first decades of the 20th century, with 11 state titles. It was the club of Arthur Friedenreich and starred in the legendary tour of Europe in 1925.

History

Club Athletico Paulistano was founded on December 29, 1900 by members of São Paulo's elite and quickly became one of the forces of amateur football in São Paulo. The club won its first São Paulo State Championship in 1905 and built a hegemony that spanned the first two decades of the 20th century. Its greatest star was Arthur Friedenreich, considered the first great idol of Brazilian football, who played for the club through much of his career. In 1925, Paulistano undertook a historic tour of Europe, winning most of its matches in France, Switzerland and Portugal — the French press called the Brazilians 'kings of football', helping to project the Brazilian style abroad. With São Paulo football moving toward professionalism, the club, a steadfast defender of amateurism, decided to abandon competitive football in 1929, after its last state title. Paulistano continues to exist today as one of São Paulo's most traditional social and multi-sport clubs, with particular prominence in basketball.