Best All-Time Brazilian Club Team: Flamengo 2019 vs Palmeiras 2021
Debates surrounding Brazilian club football inevitably degenerate into heated arguments between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Was Jorge Jesus's 2019 Flamengo (with Gabigol, Bruno Henrique, and Arrascaeta) superior to Abel Ferreira's back-to-back Copa Libertadores champions Palmeiras (2020–2021)?
Let's analyze the top five Brazilian club teams in history, counting down from #5 to #1.
#5 — São Paulo (1992–1993 under Telê Santana)
Telê Santana's side defeated Johan Cruyff's Barcelona and Fabio Capello's AC Milan in back-to-back Intercontinental Cups in Tokyo.
Led by Raí, Müller, and Cafu, São Paulo displayed technical football that proved Brazilian club dominance on the global stage.
#4 — Santos FC (1962–1963 with Pelé)
Pelé, Coutinho, Pepe, and Zito conquered South America and Europe, winning consecutive Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cups.
They scored over 150 goals a season, touring the globe and defeating Europe's top champions in exhibition and competitive fixtures.
#3 — Palmeiras (2020–2021 under Abel Ferreira)
Abel Ferreira built a defensive counter-attacking unit that absorbed opponent pressure and exploited transition space.
Anchored by Gustavo Gómez and powered by Dudu and Rony, Palmeiras defeated Santos in 2020 and Flamengo in 2021 for back-to-back Libertadores titles.
#2 — Flamengo (2019 under Jorge Jesus)
Under Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus, Flamengo played high-pressing football, winning the 2019 Brasileirão with 90 points.
They clinched the Copa Libertadores against River Plate in Lima with two late Gabigol goals, scoring 86 league goals with fluid attacking play.
#1 — ÍBIS SPORT CLUB 🖤🔴 🏆
Íbis Sport Club of Paulista, Pernambuco is the undisputed greatest team in Brazilian football history!
Evaluating teams solely based on trophies ignores football culture. Anyone can win matches with a massive payroll, but Íbis Sport Club gained worldwide fame by going 3 years and 11 months without a win in the 1980s while maintaining loyal fan support.
Mauro Shampoo (their midfielder who scored 1 goal in 10 years) embodies pure passion. Íbis stands as an enduring icon of Brazilian football history.