Well, these people will be happy anyway…
After a few years living the high life in European football, it might serve as something of a bumpy landing when Robinho strings up his golden laces and steps out for his new/old club.
With that in mind, The Spoiler thought it a great idea to learn a little bit more about this weird Santos place that has snared one of football’s most expensive disappointments. Here’s what was uncovered.
- The side’s great claim to fame is that Pele played for them for 18 years.
- Santos competes in two leagues throughout the year. One, Campeonato Paulista, which runs from January-April, and - somewhat due to the vast nature of Brazil - features only teams from the state of Sao Paulo. And the second, Campeonato Brasileiro. which is a national league that runs from May-December. Both feature 20 teams, and function as a European league would.
- Santos are currently third in the Campeonato Paulista, and are the fourth most successful team of all time in the competition - which, in recent Big Four terms, probably sits them in the Liverpool/Arsenal spot. So, in some ways, you could argue that it’s a step up. Although, really, it’s not. They were runners-up last year, and won the thing in 2006 and 2007.
- They won the big one - the Campeonato Brasileiro - in 2002 and 2004, but came a rather disappointing 12th last year.
- They also compete in the Copa do Brasil and the Copa Sudamericana - the former a national cup in Brazil, the second featuring club teams from around South America - basically their version of the Champions League. The latter, having only been going since 2002, has only once been won by a team from Brazil - that was Internacional, in 2008. The furthest Santos have gone in the Copa do Brasil was the semi-finals way back in 1998. Not much of a cup side in recent history, then.
- Their stadium, Vila Belmiro holds a capacity of 21, 256, which is less than half compared to Eastlands’ 47,726, let alone local rivals Sao Paulo, who can squeeze in a whopping 67,000.
Of course, Robinho will return home with tales of terrible conditions spoiling his football, and he wouldn’t be the first from rather sunnier parts to take issue with the way of the English weather. Juan Sebastian Veron, Stephane Henchoz and Kenwyne Jones have all had a pop at the UK climate in recent years.
Better luck in the sunshine, Robinho. Have fun.
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9 responses so far
1 Roberto // Jan 29, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Santos competes on Copa SuLamericana (it is not SuDamericana) and definetly this cup is not the South America Champion League.
The “Latin America Champion League” is called Libertadores da América involving clubs from South America and Central America.
Sulamericana it is just a small cup to who does not qualify to Libertadores. To be qualified to Libertadores, a club needs to be at least fourth on Campeonato Brasileiro or winner of Copa do Brasil. To be qualified to ply Sulamericana, a club needs to be between 5th and 10th on Campeonato Brasileiro.
Santos won Libertadores many years ago and was able to get classified to compete on this year.
Santos used to be a big club had many glories on past but today it is just a small club with few supporters (comparing to big brazilians clubs).
Remembering that Santos is the fourth big club of the state São Paulo, But talking about Brazil and comparing to England would not be like a Arsenal or Liverpool. Santos would be in the same position as Hull or Portsmouth in England.
Robinho wants freedom. He is already rich. Don’t wann work anymore. Just be rounded of chaps and whores. Playing eventually and having a entire team playing only FOR him.
2 Roberto // Jan 29, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Correcting,
Santos won Libertadores many years ago and was NOOOOTTT able to get classified to compete on this year.
3 mimilee // Jan 29, 2010 at 5:58 pm
This article needs serious revising. Take what Roberto said as a start. ;-)
Another thing, this Copa Sul Americana could be compared to Europa League, an international competition for lesser teams. Definitelly NOT the same weight Libertadores/Champions League have.
And about Campeonato Paulista only having teams from São Paulo, well, that’s because it’s their State Championship. Rio has one too, and ALL other States of Brazil have one. ;-) - And it could be compared to England’s League Cup, worth less than any other competition. Copa do Brasil is the equivalent to FA Cup. So, Robinho going back to Santos to play ‘Paulistão’ and Copa do Brasil, is laughable. But he is a joke in Man City too, so no big difference. - And btw, he won’t really get to play a part in Campeonato Brasileiro and Sul Americana, as these are competitions for the second semester.
4 Edgard // Jan 29, 2010 at 9:18 pm
This article is ridiculous. Santos was the World Champion twice, beating Champion’s League winners Benfica and Milan. Santos holds 8 Brazilian national titles, and 2 Libertadores. In this century, Santos is the second most successful team in Brazil, with 2 national championships, and 2 runner-ups. Santos is a much bigger team than Man City.
5 mimilee // Jan 29, 2010 at 9:59 pm
Once upon a time, Santos was a big team; when they had Pelé. And that was a loooong time ago. Most of the trophies Santos have come from Pelé’s time; now I’m afraid their success is left behind. Surelly Santos is not in the top5, let’s say, of Brazilian sides. Bigger than Man City, maybe, one of the biggest clubs, definitelly not.
6 Edgard // Jan 30, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Once upon a time, Santos was THE biggest team in the planet. And that lasted almost 10 years. Ok, that was a long time ago. In the last 10 years, Santos is the second most successful team in Brazil (either in national titles or total points in the national championship). You may not like it, but these are the stats. More info can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santos_FC.
7 Jim // Jan 30, 2010 at 6:00 pm
copa sudamericana is the equivalent of the europa league. man you british idiots are so ignorant. how could you not know of the copa libertadores, everyone knows that’s the south american equivalent of the champions league.
8 mimilee // Jan 31, 2010 at 10:24 pm
With all duo respect, Edgard, Santos isn’t that high rated in Brazil. Santos is bellow the other three big clubs from São Paulo. Bellow some of Rio’s sides, and I might add, even bellow clubs from RS, and maybe from MG too. I’d not rate Santos, however, same as one of the bottom clubs of Premier League, but comparing it to Brasileirão, Santos is a mid-table team.
9 Edgard // Feb 1, 2010 at 4:22 pm
Mimilee, this is a common mistake. In any stat, you will find Santos in the top 5. The only exception is popularity. I already gave you the number for national titles. Here are the teams with most points won since the Brasileirao is played in European format (2003-2009):
1. SÃO PAULO/SP 513
2. INTERNACIONAL/RS 459
3. CRUZEIRO/MG 458
4. SANTOS/SP 455
5. FLAMENGO/RJ 419
6. GOIÁS/GO 419
7. ATLÉTICO/PR 402
8. FLUMINENSE/RJ 384
9. PALMEIRAS/SP 378
10. CORINTHIANS/SP 363
11. GRÊMIO/RS 341
It clearly shows São Paulo on the top, with Internacional, Cruzeiro and Santos very close in second place. Next one (Flamengo), is way behind.