The ‘sexy’ upstarts who celebrated drawing Corinthians in the Copa do Brasil | OneFootball

Barra welcomed a Copa do Brasil fifth phase tie with Corinthians, seeing a national shop window for a 13-year project in Balneário Camboriú. They say the enthusiasm is not about underestimating Fernando Diniz’s side.

According to Globo.com, football executive Marcus Vinicius framed Barra as underdogs whoever came out of the pot, so drawing a giant offered the perfect stage and would spark curiosity about the club’s rapid rise.

Founded in 2013, Barra moved up a level in 2020 when Braho, controlled by German firm Hobra, bought the club. Billionaire Dietmar Hopp sits behind that structure, with links to agency Rogon and to partner clubs Hoffenheim and Académico de Viseu through staff and player exchanges.

Youth development is central. The club houses about 120 prospects in 30 apartments and runs a performance centre covering gym, medical, nutrition, psychology and social care, with roughly 30% of the first team homegrown.

Barra also use artificial intelligence via CUJU, a German app that analyses skills from video. Arena Barra FC opened in 2025 by BR-101 in Itajaí, but its 5,500 capacity is below this round’s requirement, so the tie will be played at the Ressacada in Florianópolis.

Investment has fuelled results, with Série D won in 2025 and the Santa Catarina title this year, plus América-MG and Volta Redonda beaten to reach round five. Rogon’s Brunno Ramos calls Barra a ‘sexy’ destination built on steady decisions and regular wages, while Marcus Vinicius credits private ownership and staff for technical, not political, choices.

Source: Globo.com