Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras

Let's a pay a visit to FC Palm Tree from Brazil and #getthebadgein —Founded in 1914 by Italian immigrants in São Paulo, this club has grown into Brazil’s most successful domestic side, rooted in the struggles and triumphs of a fast-changing, immigrant-driven city.

@Palmeiras #FCWC25

At the turn of the 20th century, São Paulo was booming. Brazil had abolished slavery in 1888, and the government launched aggressive immigration campaigns to attract European labour—especially Italians. Many of those who left Italy in the late 1800s were fleeing poverty, social unrest, and the aftermath of Italy’s failed unification wars—a period marked by civil strife, economic stagnation, and political instability. Drawn by promises of land and work, millions of Italians made the journey to Brazil, especially to São Paulo. Some worked on coffee plantations in the countryside, while many found jobs in the city’s booming industrial economy—as labourers, bricklayers, cobblers, mechanics, and factory workers. They built neighbourhoods, ran bakeries, and formed tight-knit communities defined by Catholic values, regional pride, and a growing passion for football.

Italian migrants were central to São Paulo’s transformation from a provincial town into Brazil’s economic powerhouse. They helped build the textile industry, urban transport, railways, and financial services. Italian-run businesses—from grocers to banks—contributed to the city’s economic ascent. Today, an estimated 31 million Brazilians have Italian heritage, the largest population of Italian descent outside of Italy itself, and nowhere is that legacy felt more deeply than in São Paulo.

In this context, 46 Italian-Brazilians gathered in the Alhambra Room on 26 August 1914 to form a football club of their own: Palestra Itália. Inspired by clubs like Pro Vercelli and Torino, they wore blue and white kits and proudly flew the Italian flag. Football was their way of asserting identity in a country where they were still viewed as outsiders.

By the 1930s, they’d built their own concrete stadium and become one of São Paulo’s dominant clubs. But Brazil’s entry into World War II in 1942 changed everything. Under pressure to remove Axis-associated names and symbols, the club was forced to change its identity. The name Palmeiras was chosen—after São Paulo’s Avenida das Palmeiras—and the club adopted green and white as its permanent colours. The “P” remained in the badge, but the team began a new chapter—rooted in Brazil, but never forgetting its Italian foundations.

Since then, Palmeiras have become one of Brazil’s most decorated sides. With a record 12 Brasileirão titles, 4 Copa do Brasil victories, and three Copa Libertadores triumphs (1999, 2020, 2021), they’ve built a legacy that stretches across South America. The club also won the Copa Rio in 1951—considered by some to be the first ever club world title.

Their badge is a quiet classic: a green shield with a bold white “P”, encircled by stars and the club name. It’s not loud, but it tells a story—of migration, reinvention, and dominance.

Today, Palmeiras remains a modern powerhouse. In 2021, Leila Pereira became the club’s first female president—and one of the most influential figures in South American football. She is also the head of Crefisa, a personal credit company based in São Paulo and Palmeiras' main sponsor. Under her leadership, Palmeiras has combined strong financial backing with on-pitch success, lifting multiple international trophies and investing in world-class infrastructure.

What began as a working-class team for Italian migrants is now a truly global club, with fans across Brazil and beyond. Yet its heart still beats strongest in São Paulo, among the descendants of those who built the city’s factories, laid its bricks, and passed down the love of Palmeiras from generation to generation.

Palmeiras isn’t just a football club—it’s the story of immigration, ambition, and identity. Its badge blends Italian heritage and Brazilian pride. Its stadium stands as a monument to São Paulo’s migrant energy. And its legacy continues to grow, shaped by bold leadership and a fanbase that knows where it came from.