Corinthians’ financial crisis and its off-pitch impact | OneFootball

Advertorial

It's no secret that Corinthians is going through one of the most delicate moments in its recent history off the field. Accumulated debts, management difficulties, and irregular sports results have directly impacted the club's planning and the fans' perception of the team's future.

Even off the pitch, football continues to stir the interest of fans in different areas, from debates on financial management to the consumption of digital sports entertainment, where resources like no deposit bonuses are part of this ecosystem that follows the sport.

Photo: Rafael Camacho Greilberger/Unsplash

Corruption scandals in previous administrations, questionable decisions by the board, and a growing public debt raise important questions. But how does this affect the club on and off the field? Could this be the main factor behind the current crisis? Let's analyze the points rationally to understand what happened to one of the biggest clubs in Brazil.

The origin of Corinthians' financial crisis

In recent years, Corinthians has seen its debt grow rapidly — from around R$ 983 million in 2020 to approximately R$ 1.88 billion in 2024, not considering the costs related to the stadium.

It is worth noting that this financial crisis does not erase the club's history of glories and achievements, but it puts its legacy in check and the impact of these decisions on future generations.

In retrospect, the beginning of this scenario dates back to 2014, with the financing of the Neo Química Arena, built for the World Cup that year. The club still carries a significant debt related to the stadium, which currently amounts to hundreds of millions of reais between outstanding balance and interest.

Nowadays, another point frequently highlighted by analysts is the high cost of the payroll, which does not match the club's financial situation. According to data from Transfermarkt, Corinthians maintains long contracts and high salaries, which ends up overburdening the budget.

Combined, these factors led the club to record significant financial deficits, spending more than it collected in different periods. This compromised the ability to meet commitments, generating delays and contractual disputes with athletes, as in the recent case involving Memphis Depay, which brought legal uncertainty and institutional wear.

Reflections of the crisis on the field

During the 2025 season, Corinthians accumulated a loss of about R$ 204.2 million in the first ten months of the year, with expenses above budget and insufficient revenues, resulting in a negative operational balance in the club's football.

The performance in the Brasileirão was marked by inconsistency. The team alternated between good and bad performances, with draws and losses even against direct opponents in the lower part of the table.

This fluctuation made it difficult to build a consistent sequence, reflecting a mismatch between expectation and performance.

Financial restrictions, including pending issues that resulted in limitations in the transfer market, directly affected the ability to strengthen the squad. As a result, the club remained in the mid-range of the standings, occupying positions between 11th and 13th place at various times in the championship, far from the fight for spots in continental competitions.

Furthermore, Corinthians faced early eliminations in knockout tournaments and difficulties in international competitions, reinforcing a scenario of declining sports performance. These below-expected campaigns reflect a less deep squad assembly, often imposed by the lack of resources for more significant investments.

Credit: Photo by Rafael Camacho Greilberger – Source: Unsplash

From global prominence to current challenges

The contrast with the recent past is inevitable. Corinthians is one of the few South American clubs to have won the FIFA Club World Cup, with titles in 2000, in the inaugural edition, and in 2012, when they defeated Chelsea in the final in Yokohama.

These achievements consolidated the club as one of the main representatives of Brazilian football on the international stage, at a time when South American teams were still able to compete on equal terms with the major European clubs. This history creates a stark contrast with the current reality.

In recent years, Corinthians has also become one of the Brazilian clubs with the most eliminations in the preliminary phase of the Libertadores, accumulating three exits at this stage of the competition. This data reinforces the distance between the sporting peak of the past and the challenges currently faced in a scenario of greater financial inequality in global football.

Conclusion

The financial crisis of Corinthians highlights the importance of planning, responsible management, and sports stability. The recovery process is complex and depends not only on results on the field but on strategic decisions that directly impact the club's relationship with its fans and the sports scene as a whole.

Still, even in the face of difficulties, the greatness and historical relevance of Corinthians in Brazilian football remain unquestionable. Regardless of the challenges, Timão remains one of the giants of the country, supported by one of the largest fan bases in Brazil.

See more:

Corinthians News

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