Cruzeiro Esporte Clube
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Full name | Cruzeiro Esporte Clube | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Nickname(s) | Raposa (Fox) Celeste (Celestial) Cabuloso (Badass) | |||
Founded | 2 January 1921 | |||
Ground | Mineirão | |||
Capacity | 62,000[1] | |||
Owner | Ronaldo (90% of the football operations through SAF; no ownership of club proper)[2] | |||
President | Sérgio Santos Rodrigues | |||
Coach | Paulo Pezzolano | |||
League | Campeonato Brasileiro Série B Campeonato Mineiro | |||
2021 2021 | Série B, 14th of 20 Mineiro, 4th of 12 | |||
Website | Club website | |||
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Cruzeiro Esporte Clube (Brazilian Portuguese: [kɾuˈzejɾu esˈpoɾtʃi ˈklubi]), known simply as Cruzeiro, is a Brazilian sports club based in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. Although they compete in a number of different sports, Cruzeiro is mostly known for its association football team. It plays in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B, the second tier of the Brazilian football league system, as well as in the Campeonato Mineiro, the state of Minas Gerais's premier state league.
The club was founded on 2 January 1921, by sportsmen from the Italian colony of Belo Horizonte, some members of Yale Atlético Clube and many Italian immigrant workers decided to create a new club called Societá Sportiva Ypiranga, changing the name months later to Palestra Mineiro and after one game to Palestra Itália. As a result of the Second World War, the Brazilian federal government banned the use of any symbols referring to the Axis powers in 1942. The club board members rebaptized the club with the name of a leading national symbol: the Cruzeiro do Sul's constellation. Cruzeiro play their home games at the Mineirão stadium, which currently holds up to 62,547 spectators. Cruzeiro's regular kit colors are blue shirts and white shorts with white socks.
Cruzeiro is one of Brazil's most successful clubs despite its relatively young age (compared with other major Brazilian clubs). It won the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A for the first time in 1966, after defeating Santos' Os Santásticos in the final series.[3] Cruzeiro has won the Brasileirão again in 2003, 2013 and 2014, obtaining the best campaign in the present format of the competition. Cruzeiro has also won record six Copa do Brasil titles and the Campeonato Mineiro 39 times. Cruzeiro won the defunct state competitions Taça Minas Gerais five times, the Copa dos Campeões Mineiros twice, Copa Sul Minas twice, the Torneio Início 10 times and the Supercampeonato Mineiro once. A Raposa also obtained many international laurels such as two Copa Libertadores, two Supercopa Libertadores, one Recopa Sudamericana, one Copa de Oro and one Copa Master de Supercopa. Cruzeiro is one of the two Brazilian clubs to complete the Domestic Treble, a feat accomplished in 2003 after winning the Campeonato Mineiro, the 2003 Copa do Brasil and the 2003 Brasileirão.
Cruzeiro hold a long-standing rivalry against Atlético Mineiro. It has contributed many key and famous players towards Brazil's FIFA World Cup squads such as Piazza, Tostão, Nelinho, Ronaldo, Luisão, Alex, Maicon, Cris, Jairzinho, Rivaldo and Edílson among so many others.
Cruzeiro was relegated to Brazilian Série B for the first time in history on 8 December 2019, after losing to Palmeiras with the score of 2–0 at home.[4]
History[]
Cruzeiro's history is traced back to the Italian community living in Belo Horizonte, a city where already some Italian immigrants lived[5] and their desire to set up a football club. Similar to the Italians of São Paulo (who founded Palestra Itália, now known as Palmeiras) the people of Belo Horizonte wanted the Italian colonies in Minas Gerais to have its own club as well.
In the sporting goods and footwear Augustine Ranieri's factory, located on the street of Caetés, it was decided the foundation of the club should tackle the three major capital: Atlético Mineiro, America-MG and Yale. Was born at that moment, the Società Sportiva Palestra Italia, established on January 2, 1921.[6]
The meeting was attended by 95 founders present the shield and uniform that made reference to the Italian colors, and whose SSPI description would be recorded in the center shell. Another decision was that only members of the Italian colony could wear the shirt. Aurelio Noce was elected the first President.[6]
The Palestra Italia emerged as the representative of the Italian colony. And is characterized as a team of Italian descent, Palestra also stood out by having elements of the Belo Horizonte working class, unlike Atlético and América, who had their consisting squad of college students coming from influential and wealthy families of the city.[6]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Cruzeiro_v_Flamengo_1923.jpg/300px-Cruzeiro_v_Flamengo_1923.jpg)
The idea of the club being created took a big step when Yale, a sports team from the city, went through an administrative crisis. When some players left Yale over a dispute (Yale, which itself had connections to the Italian community), some went on to found the all Italian, Sociedade Esportiva Palestra Itália of Belo Horizonte.[7][8] Until 1925 the club would only allow Italian men to participate, despite other teams in the nation accepting people of all skin colors and ethnicities.[9]
Palestra debuted in the Prado Mineiro Stadium with a 2–0 win in a friendly on 3 April 1921, against a combination from Nova Lima. The Nova Lima team united players from two teams from the city: Villa Nova, and Palmeiras, another team form Nova Lima.[10] However, the first official match of Palestra was in a 3–0 win over future archrivals Clube Atlético Mineiro.[11][12] In January 1942, Brazil entered World War II[13] and a decree of the federal government forbade the use of terms from enemy nations in entities, institutions, establishments, etc. With this, the Italian name was removed and the club could no longer call themselves Palestra Italia. The name was changed to Sociedade Esportiva Palestra Mineiro.
Around six months later, the president Ennes Cyro Poni called a general assembly for October 7 and suggested the name Ypiranga. Between October 3 and 7, the local media published the new name thinking it would be approved. In assembly, the counselors and associates kept professional system and approved changing club's name and colors. Yale and Ypiranga were suggested, but Cruzeiro Esporte Clube was chosen to honor the biggest symbol of Brazil, the constellation of Crux. The idea was from Oswaldo Pinto Coelho. However, the club kept playing as "Palestra Mineiro" until 1943, when the local Federation approved the new statutes.[14] The approved colors were blue and white, chosen as a compromise to appease the Italian factions within the club management, as it was both representative of the Brazilian flag and the Italian football national team (blue is the color of House of Savoy, who ruled Italy from 1861 to 1946).[15]
With the inauguration of the Mineirão in 1965, Cruzeiro entered one of the most successful periods in its history, in which the club won five Campeonato Mineiro titles in a row, and went on to win its first national title, the 1966 Taça Brasil (the highest honor in Brazilian football at that time) beating Santos of Pelé in the final. Cruzeiro won the first leg 6–2 at the Mineirão, and the second leg 3–2 in São Paulo.[16][17] In the 1974 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Cruzeiro were runner-up for the first time, after losing to Vasco in the finals. Later in 1975, Cruzeiro were runner-up in the Campeonato Brasileiro again, this time losing to Internacional. In 1976, Cruzeiro won its first Copa Libertadores de América, over River Plate of Argentina. Cruzeiro went on to be runners-up of the same competition in 1977, being defeated in the finals by Boca Juniors, also of Argentina. After winning the 1976 Copa Libertadores, they participated in the 1976 Intercontinental Cup, now renamed the FIFA Club World Championship, for the first time and tied Bayern Munich 0–0 at the Mineirão, but lost 2–0 to Bayern in the Olympiastadion.[16][17]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Time_do_Cruzeiro%2C_1971.tif/lossy-page1-220px-Time_do_Cruzeiro%2C_1971.tif.jpg)
After tasting success in the 1960s and 1970s, Cruzeiro entered a dark period in the 1980s. With the exception of a couple of Campeonato Mineiro wins, the club won no other championships in the 1980s, and had its worst performances in the Campeonato Brasileiro, 33rd in 1984 and 29th in 1985.[18] The 1980s was the only decade Cruzeiro did not participate once in the Copa Libertadores since the tournament's creation in 1960.[19] The club were invited to Europe in 1988 by Scottish side Celtic to play a friendly as part of the Glasgow club's centenary celebrations.[20]
In the 1990s a new era began, and a 15-year sequence of at least one title per year was initiated. This included six of the club's seven international championships and a Campeonato Brasileiro (2003). In December 2010 the CBF (the governing body of Brazilian football) also recognized Cruzeiro as Brazilian champion of 1966, for having beaten Santos of Pelé: 6–2 in Belo Horizonte and 2–3 in São Paulo.[16][17][21] The club's biggest exploit in the 21st century happened when it won the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. With 100 points earned during the season, and just over 100 goals scored in 46 matches, it was one of the most successful campaigns ever by a club in a Brazilian championship. In 2003, besides winning the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Cruzeiro also won the Copa do Brasil and the Campeonato Mineiro, to become the only Brazilian team to win the triple crown.[16][17][21][22]
From 2003 to 2012 Cruzeiro have only won one major tournament (four times): the Campeonato Mineiro (2004, 2006, 2008, 2009). However, the club finished in the top five of the Campeonato Brasileiro in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, guaranteeing a spot in the Copa Libertadores for four consecutive years (2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011). In 2010, after a great campaign in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, Cruzeiro took the second place and qualified for the Copa Libertadores da America for 2011. Cruzeiro's biggest success in recent years was reaching the finals of the 2009 Copa Libertadores, but they lost to Estudiantes de La Plata 2–1.[23] After a disastrous 2011 season, escaping relegation only in the last round after a triumphant 6–1[24] against arch-rival Atlético, Gilvan Tavares became president for the 2012-2013-2014 triennium. 2012 was slightly better than 2011, but still Cruzeiro won no titles. In 2013 Cruzeiro lost Campeonato Mineiro again, despite displaying a good game against smaller clubs. Copa do Brasil started promising but Cruzeiro was knocked out by future champion Flamengo in the quarterfinals. After the elimination Cruzeiro went all in to Campeonato Brasileiro and was crowned champion for the third time, this time four rounds before the championship ended, playing an offensive and intense game that led many, including press[25] and runners-up,[26] to attribute the title many rounds before the mathematical confirmation. Cruzeiro's 2014 season was even more successful. It started with Cruzeiro winning the Campeonato Mineiro without losing a single match in the whole competition. In the Copa Libertadores da America, Cruzeiro was knocked out, in the quarter finals, by future champion San Lorenzo de Almagro, being the last remaining Brazilian team in the competition. This loss did not prevent Cruzeiro to lead the Campeonato Brasileiro for almost the whole competition, being crowned champion for the fourth time and becoming the second team not from Rio de Janeiro nor Sao Paulo to win the Campeonato Brasileiro twice in a row. Cruzeiro also got to the final of the Copa do Brasil, but lost both matches to rival Atlético Mineiro.
Symbols[]
Colors[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cruzeiro Esporte Clube kits. |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/Escudo_PI_1921.png/120px-Escudo_PI_1921.png)
When Cruzeiro was still known as Palestra Italia, the home shirt colour was green. The first home kit was an improvised dark green shirt, with white shorts and green stockings. Cruzeiro used this kit in their first professional game on 3 April 1921, in the Prado Mineiro Stadium, with a 2–0 win over the Villa Nova/Palmeiras combined team, of Nova Lima.[27] In 1928 the shirt became a lighter tone of green, with a white neck design and red cuffs. The shorts continued to be white, but the green stockings now had red and white details, similar to that of the Italian flag. This particular uniform was used up until 1940. The light green color of the shirt would later give the team the nickname "periquito", Portuguese for parakeet.[27] In 1940 there was a big change to the shirt. The shirt began to feature horizontal stripes, with the club crest in the center. This was the shirt used to win the 1940 Campeonato da Cidade – now known as the Campeonto Mineiro – after the club had been unable to win the tournament for ten years. The club also began to be called "tricolor" instead of "periquito".[27]
In 1942 Cruzeiro played one game under the name Ypiranga, and for this game a blue shirt with a central horizontal stripe was used.[27] In 1943 Cruzeiro played its first game under its current name. The shirt used then was an all blue shirt with a large white v-neck (scapular) design. The shorts and stockings were white. In 1950, due to bad stadium lighting, Cruzeiro began to use an all-white shirt during night games. The shirt, which featured blue details and blue shorts and white stockings, was used for nine years.[27] In 1956, Cruzeiro used, for a short while, a new shirt that was made up of white and blue horizontal stripes. The uniform was not used in many games.[27] There was a change to the shirt in 1959; the shirt became all blue, a design that would influence later shirts. In the 1959 shirt, instead of using its normal crest Cruzeiro simply used the five stars, in the crest, loose on the shirt. The shirt made its debut in the Estádio dos Tecelões, in a friendly match against Renascença, on September 19.[27]
In 1984 Cruzeiro had the first ever company logo on its shirt; it was the shirt manufacturer's logo, which was Topper.[27] In the same year Cruzeiro had its first shirt sponsor, Medradao. Medradao was only used on the away shirts[27]
Crest[]
The first Palestra Itália crest was a rhombus whose top half was red and bottom half was green (both colors of the Italian flag). In the center of the crest was a white circle with the letters P and I inside it.[28] The following year, 1922, the club's crest maintained its rhombus shape, but was now completely white, with the letter P, S and I, inscribed within it in green.[28] In 1923, the crest lost its rhombus shape and instead just had the green letters S, P and I.[28] From 1928–1939 the crest was identical to the first crest in 1921. Just one year later the crest became a little different: the top half was green and the bottom half was red, similar to the crests from 1921 and 1929–1939, but instead of green letters in its center, it now had the letters S, P and I in yellow.[28]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/TorcidaMafiaAzul.jpg/220px-TorcidaMafiaAzul.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/Escudo_Cruzeiro_BH_1950.png)
The crest introduced in 1940 would be the last for Palestra, because the club would soon become Cruzeiro.[28] Cruzeiro's first crest was introduced in 1950 and was very simple: a blue circle, with a white border, inside of which were five white stars, positioned to look like the Southern Cross. This first crest was used for over nine years, until 1959.[28] In 1959 the crest changed, now with a white border around the crest with the words "-CRUZEIRO ESPORTE CLUBE-BELO HORIZONTE" in blue. This version of the crest was used until 1996, making it the longest-used crest by Cruzeiro.[28] In the same year, Cruzeiro removed BELO HORIZONTE from the crest; this format was used until 2005.[28] In 2006 to honor its successful 2003 season, a crown was added on top of the crest, to symbolize the triple crown.[28]
Cruzeiro has not always used its official crest on its shirt. In 1959, instead of using its crest, the club opted to simply put the five stars from the Southern Cross on its shirt.[28] This was done until 2000, when the actual crest was again used.[28] In 2002 and in part of 2003 the loose stars were used. Part way through 2003 a new shirt that contained the actual crest was introduced, but instead of just using the regular crest the shirt featured two Copa Libertadores trophies on top of the crest. In 2004 a similar design was used, but now featured a crown, symbolic of the Triple Crown on top of the two trophies.[28] Since 2007 the club has used the "loose stars" design on home shirts.[28] None of these designs actually became the official club crest.
Anthem[]
The club's anthem, Hino ao Campeão, was written by Jadir Ambrósio in 1966, in homage to the team of his heart. He never meant for it to become the official anthem, but when fans started hearing it they liked it enough to adapt it as the new anthem.
Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors[]
Period | Kit manufacturer | Master sponsors | Premium sponsors | Standard sponsors | Number sponsors |
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1984 | Topper | Medradão | |||
1985 | Frigorifico Perrella | ||||
1986 | Adidas | BDMG | |||
1987–88 | |||||
1989 | Coca-Cola | ||||
1990–95 | Finta | ||||
1996 | Energil C | ||||
1997 | Rhumell | ||||
1998 | Gelmax / Telebingão Campeão | ||||
1998–99 | Topper | ||||
2000–01 | FIAT | Ceras Grand Prix | |||
2001–03 | Lousano | ||||
2004–05 | Siemens | ||||
2006 | Puma | Xerox | |||
2007 | Aethra | ||||
2007 | Construtora Tenda | ||||
2008 | FIAT | ||||
2009 | Reebok | Banco Bonsucesso | |||
2010 | Banco BMG | Ricardo Eletro | Questão de Estilo Jeans / Hypermarcas | ||
2011 | Netshoes | ||||
2012 | Olympikus | Guaramix | |||
2013 | TIM | ||||
2014 | |||||
2015 | Penalty | Supermercados BH | Cemil / Vilma Alimentos | 99Taxis / Voxx Suplementos | |
2016 | Umbro | Caixa | Cemil / Supermercados BH / Vilma Alimentos | Super 8 / Voxx Suplementos | |
2017 | Uber | ||||
2018 | Cemil / UninCor | Orthopride | |||
2019 | Digimais | Bem Protege / Camponesa / Fiat / Multimarcas Consórcios / Supermercados BH / UninCor | ABC da Construção | ||
2020 | Adidas | Supermercados BH | Bem Protege / Digimais / Emcamp / Galera.Bet / Multimarcas Consórcios / Premium Saúde | Cartão de Todos / Saudali | |
2021 | Buser / Cotton / Digimais / Galera.Bet / Premium Saúde | Autotruck / Cartão de Todos / Saudali / UniCesumar | |||
2022 | Buser / Champion / Cotton / Pixbet | Saudali / UniCesumar |
Mascot[]
Cartoonist Fernando Pieruccetti, more popularly known as "Mangabeira", created the club's mascot, a raposa (Portuguese for fox) in the 1940s, as he did for other football clubs from Minas Gerais state league.[29] Mangabeira took inspiration from the club's ex-president, Mario Grosso. "He was a director who let no one trick him. He was sly, agile, intelligent and skillful like a fox."[30][31] In the 2000s, Cruzeiro has made the Raposão (Big Fox) its biggest mascot, appearing at all home games and cheering with the crowd while wearing the club's colors. In 2010, Raposão won Rede Globo's Competição de Mascotes (Mascot Competition), held in their Sunday sports show Esporte Espetacular. The program united 20 mascots from the biggest Brazilian teams and had them competing in series of challenges. Raposão won all of the events and was crowned as Brazil's Best Mascot.
In 2012, Cruzeiro introduced a "junior mascot", named "Raposinho" (Little Fox), a smaller version of "Raposão".
Presidents[]
- Aurélio Noce – 1921–22
- Alberto Noce – 1923–24
- Américo Gasparini – 1925–26, 1928
- Antonio Falci – 1927, 1929–30
- Braz Pelegrino – 1927–28
- Lidio Lunardi – 1931–32
- José Viana de Souza – 1933
- Miguel Perrela – 1933–36
- Romeo de Paoli – 1936
- Osvaldo Pinto Coelho – 1936–40
- Ennes Cyro Poni – 1941–42
- João Fantoni – 1942
- Wilson Saliba – 1942
- Mario Torneli – 1942
- Mário Grosso – 1942–47
- Fernando Tamietti – 1947, 1950
- Antônio Cunha Lobo – 1947–49
- Antônio Alves Simões – 1949
- Manoel F. Campos – 1950
- Divino Ramos – 1951
- José Greco – 1952–53, 1955
- Wellington Armanelli – 1954
- José Francisco Lemos Filho – 1954
- Eduardo S. Bambirra – 1955–56
- Manoel A. de Carvalho – 1957–58
- Antonio Braz Lopes Pontes – 1959–60
- Felicio Brandi – 1961–82
- Carmine Furletti – 1983–84
- Benito Masci – 1985–90
- Salvador Masci – 1990
- César Masci – 1991–94
- Zezé Perrella – 1995–2002
- Alvimar de Oliveira Costa – 2003–08
- Zezé Perrella – 2009–11
- Gilvan Tavares – 2012–17
- Wagner Pires de Sá – 2018–19
- José Dalai Rocha – 2019–20
- Sérgio Santos Rodrigues – 2020–
Current squad[]
- As of 22 March 2022 [32]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Youth players with first team numbers[]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan[]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Other players under contract[]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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First-team staff[]
Position | Name | Nationality |
---|---|---|
Head Coach | Paulo Pezzolano | ![]() |
Assistant Coach | Martín Varini | ![]() |
Rafael Guanaes | ![]() | |
Goalkeeping Coach | André Croda | ![]() |
Fitness Coaches | Gonzalo Álvarez | ![]() |
Leonardo Almeida | ![]() | |
Rodrigo Saar | ![]() | |
Performance Analyst | André Batista | ![]() |
Victor Flores | ![]() |
Notable players[]
Former coaches[]
(1928–31)
(1932)
(1932–35)
(1935–37)
(1937)
(1938–39)
(1939–43)
(1943–44)
(1944)
(1946)
(1946–47)
Niginho (1948–49)
Ricardo Diéz (1953)
Niginho (1953–55)
(1955–56)
Ayrton Moreira (1957)
(1957)
Danilo Alvim (1958)
(1958–59)
(1959)
Niginho (1959–61)
(1962)
Niginho (1962–63)
Ayrton Moreira (1964–67)
(1967–68)
Hilton Chaves (1968–69)
(1969–70)
Hilton Chaves (1970)
(1970)
Hilton Chaves (1970–71)
(1971–72)
Yustrich (1972)
Hilton Chaves (1972–75)
Zezé Moreira (1975–77)
Yustrich (1977)
Aymoré Moreira (1977–78)
Procópio (1978)
Hilton Chaves (1979–80)
Procópio (1981)
Yustrich (1982)
(1983)
Hilton Chaves (1983–84)
Procópio (1986)
Carlos Alberto Silva (1986–87)
Jair Pereira (1987–88)
Ênio Andrade (1989–90)
Carbone (1990)
Ênio Andrade (1991–92)
Jair Pereira (1992)
Pinheiro (1993)
Carlos Alberto Silva (1993–94)
(1993–94)
Ênio Andrade (1994)
Palhinha (1994)
Nelinho (1994)
Ênio Andrade (1995)
Jair Pereira (1995)
Levir Culpi (1996)
P. Autuori (1 March 1997–30 June 97)
Levir Culpi (1998–99)
Paulo Autuori (1999–00)
Marco Aurélio (2000)
Felipão (July 1, 2000 – June 30, 2001)
PC Carpegiani (May 1, 2001 – Aug 6, 2001)
Marco Aurélio (2001–02)
Vanderlei Luxemburgo (2002–03)
E. Leão (May 5, 2004 – July 29, 2004)
Marco Aurélio (2004)
Levir Culpi (Jan 1, 2005 – June 30, 2005)
PC Gusmão (July 5, 2005 – Aug 14, 2006)
Oswaldo de Oliveira (2006)
P. Autuori (Dec 4, 2006 – May 1, 2007)
D. Júnior (May 8, 2007 – Dec 2, 2007)
A. Batista (Jan 1, 2008 – June 3, 2010)
Cuca (June 8, 2010 – June 19, 2011)
J. Santana (June 20, 2011 – Sept 2, 2011)
E. Ávila (Sept 4, 2011 – Sept 25, 2011)
V. Mancini (Sept 26, 2011–10 May 10, 2012)
Celso Roth (May 15, 2012 – Dec 2, 2012)
M. Oliveira (Dec 3, 2012 – June 2, 2015)
V. Luxemburgo (June 2, 2015 – Aug 31, 2015)
Mano Menezes (Sept 1, 2015 – Dec 6, 2015)
Deivid (Dec 10, 2015 – April 25, 2016)
Paulo Bento (May 11, 2016 – July 26, 2016)
Mano Menezes (July 27, 2016 – Aug 8, 2019)
Rogerio Ceni (Aug 13, 2019 – Sept 26, 2019)
Abel Braga (Sept 27, 2019 – Nov 29, 2019)
A. Batista (Nov 29, 2019 – Mar 15, 2020)
Enderson Moreira (Mar 18, 2020 – Sept 8, 2020)
Ney Franco (Sept 9, 2020 – Oct 11, 2020)
Felipão (Oct 15, 2020–Jan 25, 2021)
Felipe Conceição (Jan 30, 2021 – Jun 9, 2021)
Mozart (Jun 10, 2021 – Jul 30, 2021)
V. Luxemburgo (August 3, 2021 – Dec 28, 2021)
Paulo Pezzolano (January 3, 2022 – )
Records and statistics[]
Most appearances[]
Roberto Perfumo, with 138 matches, was the non-Brazilian with the most appearances for the club, this was recently changed however as Ariel Cabral was awarded this record with 200 appearances for the club.[33]]]
The player with the most appearances for Cruzeiro is Fábio with a stunning record of 800 appearances, having been with the team since 2005, beating former midfielder Zé Carlos, with 619 appearances, between 1965 and 1977.[33] In third place on that list is 1971's Bola de Ouro Winner, "The Prince" Dirceu Lopes, while the fourth place belongs to former Brazilian international and 1970 FIFA World Cup champion Wilson Piazza. The fifth overall player, and second goalkeeper with the most appearances for Cruzeiro is the notorious Raul Plassman, who played a total of 557 games with the team. The non-Brazilian with the most appearances for the club is the Argentine Roberto Perfumo who made 138 appearances for the club between 1971 and 1974.[33]
Top goalscorers[]
Brazilian hall-of-famer and 1970 FIFA World Cup winner Tostão has scored the most goals for Cruzeiro, 249 between 1963 and 1972, having appeared on 378 matches for Cruzeiro (12th overall). He beats Dirceu Lopes by 25 goals on that list, which also has old-timer Niginho (207 goals) closing the top 3, being the only ones with over 200 goals for Cruzeiro. Ninão holds the record for goals scored in a single match: 10 in Cruzeiro's 14–0 win over Alves Nogueira during Campeonato da Cidade on 17 June 1928.[34] Nelinho holds the record for most goals scored from penalties: 38; and the record for goals scored from fouls: 42. Walter Montillo's 39 goals make him the non-Brazilian with the most goals for Cruzeiro, a record that would belong to Bolivia national football team vice-captain and striker Marcelo Moreno with 48 goals or Spanish 1930's striker Fernando Carazo, with 44 goals, had they not become Brazilian nationals.[34]
Honours[]
International[]
- Copa Libertadores de América (2): 1976, 1997
- Supercopa Libertadores (2): 1991, 1992
- Copa Ouro (1): 1995
- Recopa Sul-Americana (1): 1998
- Copa Master de Supercopa (1): 1995
National[]
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (4): 1966, 2003, 2013, 2014
- Copa do Brasil (6): 1993, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2017, 2018
Regional[]
- Copa Sul-Minas (2) : 2001, 2002
- Copa Centro-Oeste (1): 1999
- Campeonato Mineiro (39): 1926*, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1940, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1956, 1959,1960, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1984, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2018, 2019
Note: Although Cruzeiro considers itself champions of the Campeonato Mineiro in 1926, officially the Atlético Mineiro is the only official champion of this competition. Making officially Cruzeiro have 38 Campeonatos Mineiros.
- Supercampeonato Mineiro (1): 2002[35]
Other[]
- Copa dos Campeões Mineiros (2): 1991, 1999
- Taça Minas Gerais (5): 1973, 1982, 1983, 1984 e 1985
- Tournament Start (10): 1926, 1927, 1929, 1938, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1944, 1948 e 1966
Trebles and doubles[]
Trebles – Domestic Triple Crown
- State, Cup and League: 2003¹[36]
Doubles – Domestic Double
- State and League: 1966
- State and Cup: 1996
- State and League: 2014
- State and Cup: 2018
– Continental Double
- State and Supercopa Sudamericana: 1992
- State and Copa Libertadores: 1997
Other featured campaigns[]
– Intercontinental Cup
- Runners-up (2): 1976, 1997
– Copa Libertadores de América:
- Runners-up (2): 1977, 2009
- Third place (2): 1967, 1975
– Campeonato Brasileiro Série A:
- Runners-up (5): 1969, 1974, 1975, 1998, 2010
- Third place (5): 1973, 1989, 1995, 2000, 2008
- Fourth place (2): 1968, 2009
– Copa do Brasil
- Runners-up (2): 1998, 2014
- Semi-finalist (1): 2005, 2016
– Supercopa Sudamericana:
- Runners-up (2): 1988 and 1996
– Supercopa Masters:
- Runners-up (1): 1992
– Campeonato Mineiro:
- Runners-up (30): 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925,1927, 1932, 1933, 1936, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1955, 1962, 1970, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2017
Grounds and facilities[]
Cruzeiro's first stadium was the Estádio do Prado Mineiro, which belonged to the Federação Mineira de Futebol (FMF).[37] The club's first game at the stadium was 2–0 win over a Villa Nova/Palmeiras combine team from Nova Lima on 3 April 1921.[37][38] Cruzeiro would use the stadium until 1923 when the club built its own stadium, Estádio do Barro Preto.[38][39] On 23 July 1923, Cruzeiro debuted at the stadium in a 2–2 tie with Flamengo.[38][39] In 1945 the stadium went through renovations and would become at that time the largest stadium in the state with a capacity of 15,000 and later on would become known as Estádio Juscelino Kubitscheck (or Estádio JK).[38][39] Cruzeiro would use the stadium until 1965, when the Mineirão was opened. In 1983 the stadium was torn down and one of the club's social clubs (Sede Campestre) was built there.[38][40]
Since 1965 Cruzeiro play their home games at Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto, often referred to as just Mineirão in Belo Horizonte, MG.[41] Cruzeiro shares the stadium with rivals Atlético Mineiro.[42] The stadium does not belong to Cruzeiro, rather it belongs to the state of Minas Gerais (through a land grant from the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais) and is administrated by Minas Arena, a private company, on lease from the state since 2013. The stadium, which was built in 1963, had an original capacity of about 130,000,[41][42] but over the years that capacity has been reduced, and currently it seats 64,800. Named after former Minas Gerais governor José de Magalhães Pinto, it took over 4,000 workers to build the stadium.[42] The period after the stadium's inauguration is often called Era Mineirão ("Mineirão Era"), which saw Cruzeiro gain national and international prominence.[43][44] Cruzeiro also holds the attendance record at the stadium, when 132,834 spectators watched Cruzeiro beat Villa Nova in the 1997 Campeonato Mineiro final.[45]
Cruzeiro have had plans to build a new stadium, especially under president Alvimar de Oliveira Costa's tenure.[46][47][48][49] However, the state of Minas asked Cruzeiro to stay at the stadium,[50] and after president Zezé Perrella came to the presidency in 2009, plans for a new stadium virtually disappeared.[51]
The Mineirão was selected as a host stadium for the 2014 FIFA World Cup,[52] with renovations beginning on 25 June 2010, and projected to be completed by December 2012.[53] After the stadiums closing, Cruzeiro began playing home games at the Arena do Jacaré and Ipatingão stadiums, both outside the city of Belo Horizonte.[54] Independência stadium is also being renovated and Cruzeiro will start playing homes games there in 2011 until the Mineirão is ready in 2012.[55]
The club has private ownership of though, including two training facilities (Toca da Raposa I, which serves the youth division and Toca da Raposa II for the senior squad),[41][56][57] an administrative headquarters[58] and two social club facilities.[59][60] Cruzeiro has often been praised for having one of the leading infrastructure systems in Brazil.[41]
Administration and finances[]
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Cruzeiro's bylaw refers to the club being a non-profit organization, where the real owner are sócios (literally, "partners") or members (who pay an annual fee).[61] This means that unlike some European clubs and North American sport franchises, the club cannot be sold (Article 1, § 4).[62] Cruzeiro also acts as a social club, which sócios get access to. Currently there are six thousand paying sócios (twenty thousand including family members).[63] Sócios are not to be confused with sócios do futebol ("football members") who pay an annual fee for privileges such as season tickets, but are not allowed to vote for club officials.[64] Those who have been sócios for over a year, form the "general assembly" (Assembleia Geral) and may vote for club officials (Article 5).[62] After two years of membership, sócios can nominate themselves for the "consul" (Conselho) (Article 16).[62] Only members who have been part of the consul for at least ten years may run for the presidency and vice-presidency (Article 26, § 1).[62] is the current club president.[65]
Cruzeiro was the fifth richest Brazilian club in 2009 in terms of revenue with about R$121.3 million.[66] This is a 29% increase from a 2008 revenue of R$94.1 million[67] and a 56% increase from a 2007 revenue of R$77.6 million.[68] Much of Cruzeiro's revenue comes through the selling of players, between 2004 and 2008 the club sold R$181 million (€68.6 million) worth of player, ranking third in Brazil (although player sales for other teams were considered between 2003 and 2008).[69] Cruzeiro also relies on sponsorship and currently has three shirt sponsors: Banco BMG (front and upper back), Ricardo Eletro (sleeves) and (lower back) and although the club does not release any official figures on sponsorship, the deals are speculated to be worth a total of about R$15 million annually.[70][71] Kit supplier Reebok reported pays R$8 million annually.[72] From ticket sales the club will make around R$27 million in 2010.[73] In 2009 ticket sales generated R$18 million[74]
Cruzeiro is one of the most financially stable Brazilian football clubs. As of 2009 Cruzeiro debts total R$97.7 million (€43.8).[75] This puts the club 13th among the most in-debt club in Brazil. Among Brazil's most prominent clubs only São Paulo has less debt. The club's current debt is also a decrease from a 2008 debt of R$131.6 million (€50.8).[76] In 2009 the club was ranked as the seventh most valuable club in Brazil, being worth R$139 million (€55 million).[77] In 2008, the annual salary for the club's players totaled €6.2 million, significantly less than its European counterparts.[78]
Originally Palestra's support came from the Italian immigrant community. The working class identity remained when the club became known as Cruzeiro, and the supporters spread beyond the Italian community. The club's main rival is Atlético Mineiro, but other rivals include América, Vasco da Gama, São Paulo, Palmeiras (the other major team in Brazil with Italian origins), Corinthians, and Grêmio.[79] A 2010 survey showed Cruzeiro's fan base had an average monthly family income of R$1,342.45.[80] For comparison this is slightly lower than Atlético Mineiro (R$1,353.28). The highest was Internacional (R$1,657.69), and the lowest was Flamengo (R$1,149.09).
On 14 July 2008, law number 9,590/2008 sanctioned "Cruzeiro and Cruzeirense Day" in Belo Horizonte which will be celebrated every 2 January.[81]
See also[]
Notes[]
References[]
- ^ "Cruzeiro anuncia venda de mais de 50 mil ingressos". 23 September 2021.
- ^ "Ronaldo Fenômeno anuncia compra do Cruzeiro por R$ 400 milhões". GloboEsporte.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
- ^ Jogos eternos Cruzeiro 6x2 Santos Eternal matches Cruzeiro 6x2 Santos
- ^ Olé (8 December 2019). "Descendió un gigante: Cruzeiro a la B". www.ole.com.ar (in Spanish). Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- ^ "História da emigração em Minas Gerais" (in Portuguese). Federação dos Círculos Trentinos do Brasil. Retrieved 14 August 2007.
- ^ a b c "História do Cruzeiro Esporte Clube" (in Portuguese). Cruzeiropédia. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
- ^ "Cruzeiro esporte clube" (in Portuguese). JB Online. Archived from the original on 3 November 2005. Retrieved 15 August 2007.
- ^ "ESPECIAL: os 100 anos do futebol em Belo Horizonte" (in Portuguese). Esporte Esportivo. Archived from the original on 10 April 2005. Retrieved 14 August 2007.
- ^ "História do Club" (in Portuguese). Cruzeiro Esporte Clube. Archived from the original on 31 August 2007. Retrieved 14 August 2007.
- ^ "Duas vezes os reis da América" (in Portuguese). GazetaEsportiva.net. Archived from the original on 6 August 2007. Retrieved 16 August 2007.
- ^ "Atlético tem ampla vantagem em clássicos pelo Brasileiro" (in Portuguese). Goal.com. Retrieved 17 August 2007.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Carvalho, Sérgio (23 October 1981). "O Derby Mineiro" [The Derby Mineiro]. Placar (in Portuguese) (597). Abril. pp. 59–60. Retrieved 12 October 2015 – via Google Books.
- ^ D. McCann, Frank. "Brazil and World War II: The Forgotten Ally. What did you do in the war, Zé Carioca?". Estudios Interdisciplinarios de América Latina y el Caribe (Tel Aviv University). Retrieved 17 August 2007.
- ^ "Sociedade Esportiva Palestra Itália" (in Portuguese). Cruzeiropédia. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
- ^ "Ex-Palestra Itália, Cruzeiro festeja os 70 anos da nova identidade" (in Portuguese). GloboEsporte. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ^ a b c d "HISTÓRIA" (in Portuguese). Máfia Azul. Archived from the original on 25 October 2006. Retrieved 18 August 2007.
- ^ a b c d "O Palestra Itália" (in Portuguese). Cruzeiro Esporte Clube. Archived from the original on 14 August 2007. Retrieved 14 December 2007.
- ^ "Campeonato Brasileiro (Brazilian Championship)". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2007.
- ^ "Copa Libertadores de América". RSSSF. Retrieved 24 December 2007.
- ^ Davidson, Alan (8 August 1988). "Celtic find right blend". Evening Times. p. 31. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
- ^ a b "Títulos" (in Portuguese). Cruzeiro Esporte Clube. Archived from the original on 19 December 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2008.
- ^ "Cruzeiro é o campeão brasileiro de 2003" (in Portuguese). Gazet. Archived from the original on 5 November 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
- ^ "Libertadores: Cruzeiro perde para Estudiantes" (in Portuguese). O Globo. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
- ^ "Goleada de 6 a 1 sobre o Atlético Mineiro mantém Cruzeiro na Primeira Divisão" (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte.com. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
- ^ "O campeão que fugiu do óbvio" (in Portuguese). Impedimento. Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
- ^ "Renato Gaúcho exalta Cruzeiro: "Já é o campeão brasileiro há muito tempo"" (in Portuguese). Super Esportes. 11 November 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "História 1921" (in Portuguese). Cruzeiro Esporte Clube. Archived from the original on 7 October 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Ibope aponta Flamengo como maior torcida e Sport em ascensão" (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
- ^ "Galo, Raposa e Coelho: 70 anos da criação das mascotes dos tradicionais clubes mineiros" (in Portuguese). SuperEsportes, Estado de Minas. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
- ^ "Nossas Curiosidades" (in Portuguese). ORL Sport. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
- ^ "A cidade dividida nas charges de Mangabeira" (in Portuguese). Revista Z Cultural. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
- ^ "Jogadores Profissional". Cruzeiro E.C. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ a b c "Goleiro Fábio supera recorde de Zé Carlos com 634 jogos no Cruzeiro" (in Portuguese). Futebol Interior. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
- ^ a b "Marcelo Moreno se torna o maior artilheiro estrangeiro do Cruzeiro" (in Portuguese). Jornal O Globo. 10 November 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
- ^ The 2002 Minas Gerais State Championship had no teams that were playing Copa Sul-Minas: América Mineiro, Atlético Mineiro, Cruzeiro, and Mamoré. These teams plus Caldense – who won the State Championship—played the Minas Gerais Super State Championship when the State Championship and the Copa Sul-Minas were finished. The tournament was dubbed the Minas Gerais Super State Championship and Cruzeiro became the champions.
- ^ "404 Página não existe". Archived from the original on 19 December 2007. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
{{cite web}}
: Cite uses generic title (help) - ^ a b "Estádios celestes: Prado Mineiro" (in Portuguese). Blog do Cruzeirense. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
- ^ a b c d e "Estádios" (in Portuguese). Blog do Cruzeiro. 31 March 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
- ^ a b c "Estádios celestes: Barro Preto" (in Portuguese). Blog do Cruzeirense. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
- ^ "Estádio do Barro Preto" (in Portuguese). Que Fim Levou. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
- ^ a b c d "Cruzeiro's climb to power". FIFA. Archived from the original on 12 June 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2010.
- ^ a b c "MINEIRÃO – O palco das grandes histórias do futebol mineiro" (in Portuguese). Radio Mineiro. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
- ^ "Cruzeiro amplia vantagem sobre o rival Atlético na Era Mineirão" (in Portuguese). UOL Esporte. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
- ^ "The Classic: Atletico-Cruzeiro" (in Portuguese). FIFA. Archived from the original on 19 July 2009. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
- ^ "Mineirão" (in Portuguese). Bola N@ Area. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
- ^ "Presidente fala sobre novo estádio" (in Portuguese). GloboEsporte.com. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
- ^ "Alvimar promete Arena ao Cruzeiro, se reeleito" (in Portuguese). Terra. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
- ^ "Definição do local do estádio do Cruzeiro sairá até janeiro" (in Portuguese). UOL Esporte. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
- ^ "Cruzeiro tenta avançar parceria com governo da Líbia" (in Portuguese). Lance!. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
- ^ "Secretário quer Cruzeiro no Mineirão" (in Portuguese). O Tempo. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
- ^ "Eleição no Cruzeiro encerra dobradinha entre irmãos Perrellas" (in Portuguese). UOL Esporte. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
- ^ "Host Cities for Brazil 2014 to be announced in May". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 12 March 2010. Archived from the original on 22 March 2009.
- ^ "Mineirão fecha neste sábado para mais obras". FIFA.com. Terra Esportes. 12 July 2010.
- ^ "Cruzeiro irá trocar Arena do Jacaré pelo Ipatingão". Abril.com.br. 28 July 2010. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
- ^ "Independência, o estádio reserva do Mineirão". Portal 2014. 1 August 2010. Archived from the original on 23 October 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
- ^ "Toca da Raposa I". Cruzeiro Esporte Clube. 1 August 2010. Archived from the original on 29 May 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
- ^ "Toca da Raposa II". Cruzeiro Esporte Clube. 1 August 2010. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
- ^ "Sede Administrativa". Cruzeiro Esporte Clube. 1 August 2010. Archived from the original on 7 July 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
- ^ "Sede Urbana". Cruzeiro Esporte Clube. 1 August 2010. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
- ^ "Sede Campestre". Cruzeiro Esporte Clube. 1 August 2010. Archived from the original on 2 August 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
- ^ "SEJA UM ASSOCIADO". Cruzeiro Esporte Clube. Archived from the original on 28 May 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ a b c d "Cruzeiro Esporte Clube" (PDF). CruzeiroEC.net. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ "O torcedor sendo "dono" do Cruzeiro – Como?". Portal do Cruzeirense. Retrieved 7 July 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Como Funciona". Cruzeiro Esporte Clube. Archived from the original on 13 August 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ "Gilvan de Pinho Tavares é o novo presidente do Cruzeiro". mg.superesportes.com. 3 October 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ "Corinthians tem o maior faturamento dos clubes brasileiros, diz estudo" (in Portuguese). UOL Esporte. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ "A lista de clubes que mais faturam no Brasil" (in Portuguese). Época. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ "Consultoria divulga lista dos clubes mais ricos do Brasil" (in Portuguese). Época. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ "As maiores receitas em transferências, Brasil 2003/2008" (in Portuguese). FootballFinance. Archived from the original on 29 January 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ "Flamengo se torna o segundo maior patrocínio do Brasil" (in Portuguese). Goal.com. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ "Cruzeiro tem valor de patrocínio triplicado para 2010" (in Portuguese). Goal.com. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ "Reebok informa: sai o Vasco, entra o Cruzeiro" (in Portuguese). GloboEsporte.com (Olhar Crônico Esportivo). Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ "Feliz aniversário" (in Portuguese). O Tempo. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ "Cruzeiro comemora bons números de bilheteria em 2009" (in Portuguese). Cruzeiro.org. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ "As dívidas dos clubes Brasileiros 2009" (in Portuguese). FutebolFinance. Archived from the original on 29 April 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ "As dívidas dos clubes Brasileiros 2009" (in Portuguese). FutebolFinance. Archived from the original on 10 May 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ "Os 12 clubes mais valiosos do Brasil" (in Portuguese). FootballFinance. Archived from the original on 2 May 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ "Os custos com pessoal dos clubes Brasileiros" (in Portuguese). FutebolFinance. Archived from the original on 7 May 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ "A História" (in Portuguese). CampeoesDoFutebol.com. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
- ^ "Nova pesquisa aponta torcida do Flamengo maior que a do Timão" (in Portuguese). GloboEsporte.com. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
- ^ "Detalhes da norma (Lei – 9590 / 2008)" (in Portuguese). Câmera Municipal de Belo Horizonte. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
External links[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cruzeiro Esporte Clube. |
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Look up Cruzeiro in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
- Official website
- Cruzeiro at GloboEsporte (in Portuguese)
- Cruzeiro at SuperEsportes (in Portuguese)
- Cruzeiro at Placar Archived 4 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine (in Portuguese)
- Cruzeiro at Lancenet (in Portuguese)
- Cruzeiro at UOL Esporte (in Portuguese)
- Cruzeiro Esporte Clube
- Association football clubs established in 1921
- Football clubs in Belo Horizonte
- 1921 establishments in Brazil
- Diaspora football clubs in Brazil
- Italian association football clubs outside Italy