Gre-Nal under financial strain as Copa do Brasil quarter-final looms | OneFootball

Gre-Nal arrives with more than local pride at stake, the Copa do Brasil quarter-final is framed by severe financial pressure on Internacional and Grêmio. According to Globo.com, both giants enter the tie carrying heavy debts and tighter budgets.

Inter closed 2025 with total liabilities of R$ 1.27 billion, R$ 606.9 million short term and R$ 666.9 million long term. Even so, it posted a R$ 8.97 million surplus after a R$ 34.5 million deficit in 2024.

Grêmio began 2026 owing R$ 935.6 million, with R$ 516.4 million due within a year and R$ 419.1 million longer term. It also secured a loan of about R$ 60 million from Celso Rigo to clear salary, image and supplier arrears.

Budgets have forced caution. Inter leaned on free agents, loans and low-cost deals, and trimmed almost 20 squad slots, with Borré’s exit easing the wage bill. Grêmio spent close to R$ 100 million early, then turned to free transfers and picked up Diego Caito and Wallace for R$ 8 million combined.

Commercial headwinds persist. Grêmio’s main shirt has been unsponsored since late 2025 after betting proposals were rejected, while Inter have struck short-term deals, including SpeedMax for the next three games. This week Inter were hit with a FIFA transfer ban for three windows over a debt to Midtjylland for Juninho, and Grêmio face a preventive ban from Anresf under financial fair play. Gre-Nal 453 starts at 20:00 on Thursday at Beira-Rio, the first leg of the quarter-finals.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”