Cassiano Carvalho: São Paulo v Corinthians shows Brazilian women's class | OneFootball

First of all, I’m an admirer and a follower of women’s football. There is no doubt that the changes put into practice by FIFA and the CBF in Brazil have strengthened the sport even further. This Saturday, the 3rd, we will watch the final of the Brazilian Women’s Championship between São Paulo and Corinthians, at 4:30 p.m. (Brasília time), at Morumbis.

The Soberanas took the lead in the first match and beat the Brabas 2-1 at Neo Química Arena. Isa, who scored one of the goals in the win, called it “a very great achievement.” I completely agree, given Corinthians’ stature in women’s football.

However, the moment belongs to São Paulo, and the advantage is with the Soberanas, but football, as the old poet says, “is a box of surprises.” Besides that, on the other side will be a team chasing its eighth title in history, the seventh in a row.

I don’t even need to remind anyone that we are talking about one of the most famous derbies in the world. But then some fool will show up saying: “Yes, but in men’s football.” That’s true, and that is exactly the point I have to address.

Women’s football has earned its place

Those who work in women’s football—whether directors, male and female coaches, or players—have absolutely no intention of making comparisons with men’s football. That is something done by people who are not involved in the game and just want to show off.

For the uninformed, around 40,000 tickets have been sold for the final so far. The attendance record in the Brazilian Women’s Championship belongs precisely to these two teams, in the 2024 Brazilian Championship final. That piece of information has just knocked down yet another narrative: “No one cares about women’s football.”

Of course, several factors need to be taken into consideration: it is a final; it is a derby; it comes in the middle of an international break; it is on the weekend; it is at a great time. Once again, I agree with all of that. And I think this is exactly where the CBF still falls short.

As I said at the beginning of the text, I follow women’s football. But it is not acceptable to have matches buried on a Friday at 9 p.m., for example. Or, in other cases, games competing directly with men’s football. Football is football. Women’s football is starting to win over fans, and the 2027 Women’s World Cup will be a major ally.

CBF needs to study the landscape

But the CBF needs to use the international break as an example and take a better look at match times. It is necessary to analyze the men’s football schedule in order to give women’s football greater visibility. Januário de Oliveira, one of the great commentators in our history, became immortal for saying that when the ball is rolling, “the people like it.” If the ball is rolling, there will be an audience.

São Paulo and Corinthians will put on a great match

Today, the Soberanas and the Brabas will deliver a great final for those who go to Morumbis or watch from home. A fan is a fan of São Paulo or Corinthians, not a fan of the men’s team or the women’s team. So we need to have the chance to choose to follow both.

Of course, it is not possible to create a perfect schedule for every match. But with goodwill, it is possible to give both the male stars and the female stars the recognition they deserve. If everything is organized properly, everyone cheers.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.