Inside Corinthians São Vicente, Cape Verde’s Corinthians who once wore green and still fight on | OneFootball

On 13 October 2025, São Vicente’s Corinthians joined Cape Verde in celebrating qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Founded in 1987 and modelled on Corinthians Paulista, the club keeps corinthianismo alive across the Atlantic, their crest placing the national flag inside the familiar badge.

"Sometimes it is hard even to feed the players. For me, corinthianism is fighting adversity. We have survived for nearly 40 years and we need investment to organise the team," said vice-president Marcos Fonseca, speaking to Meu Timao.

Run entirely by volunteers without government support, the team rebuilds its squad each year as youngsters move on. It won São Vicente’s second tier in 2017/2018 and has nurtured talent, notably former national captain Fernando Neves.

Donations supply most equipment, which once left the side wearing green, the colour of arch-rivals Palmeiras. "If someone offers kit and it is only green, refusing it risks not playing and the team disappearing," he said, recalling a 2007 offer of help that never progressed.

Cape Verde open against Spain in Atlanta on Monday 15 at 13h, Brasília time, then face Uruguay in Miami on 21 at 19h and Saudi Arabia in Houston on 26 at 21h. "We respect Spain, but dreaming is free, I dream of a win," said Fonseca, who also noted the 2-1 victory over Brazil’s Olympic side in 2021.

Source: Meu Timao