Cruzeiro is a Brazilian football team from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, founded on January 2, 1921. It has the largest number of fans among the state's 17 million (approx.) inhabitants, and also counts with fans spread all-over the country.

Established for sportsmen of the Italian colony of Belo Horizonte with the name of Societá Sportiva Palestra Itália. The adopted colors, as it could not leave of being, had been the same ones of the Italian flag: green, red and white. The first uniform of the club was green shirt, white shimstock and red stockings. The club was restricted only the participation of elements of the colony until the year of 1925, when it opened the doors for sportsmen of any nationality.

In January of 1942, Brazil entered in the WW-II and a decree law of the federal government hindered the use of terms from enemy nations in entities, institutions, establishments, etc. With this, the Italian name was removed and the direction and the partners of the club took 10 months to create a name and a new symbol for the club that was entirely Brazilian. In 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 blue shirt, shimstock and white stockings.

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, although its rivals had their golden years in the past. America - MG won ten state tournamenst in a row, but for more than half a century has not been able to accomplish much more. Clube Atlético Mineiro, known only as Atletico, won the Brazilian League in 1971, but since then have only won state and lower-level tournaments. Meanwhile, Cruzeiro has won Copa Libertadores, South America's most important competition in 1976 and 1997. It also won Copa do Brasil (Brazilian Cup) four times over the last 13 years, and Taca Brasil in 1966, the only national level tournament at the time. Cruzeiro has also dominated the state league since the 1990's , which it won 32 times during its existence.

For years Cruzeiro struggled to win the Brazilian League, without success. After a few second places, in 2003 it was finally able to win the only title it did not have untill then. The most successful Brazilian club during the 1990's, it provided its fans the last accomplishment it had not achieved with a superb participation in 2003. With 100 points won during the season, and just over 100 goals scored, it will be a long time untill another club achieve the same success as Cruzeiro did in 2003.

Relevant Titles

1976, 1997 - Copa Libertadores;
2003 - Brazilian League;
1993, 1996, 2000, 2003 - Brazilian Cup;
1966 - Taca Brasil 1991, 1992 - Supercopa dos Campeoes da Libertadores (tournament disputed by Copa Libertadores champions)

External links

Official Web Site

Some Famous Coaches

Luiz Felipe Scolari - 2002 World Cup Champion coaching Brazil, now he´s Portugal team´s coach;
Vanderlei Luxemburgo - former Brazilian National Team Coach and newest Real Madrid´s coach.

Some Famous Players

Ronaldo - currently in Real Madrid, 1994 and 2002 World Cup Champion;
Alex - currently in Fenerbahçe;
Dida - 2002 World Cup Champion, currently in Milan, goalkeeper;
Rivaldo - 2002 World Cup Champion, currently in Olympiacos;
Tostao - 1970 World Cup Champion;
Wilson Piazza - 1970 World Cup Champion;
Jairzinho - 1970 World Cup Champion;
Dirceu Lopes
Nelinho