Associação Atlética Internacional (Limeira)
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| Full name | Associação Atlética Internacional | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | Leão da Paulista (Paulista Lions) | |||
| Founded | October 5, 1913 | |||
| Ground | Estádio Major José Levy Sobrinho | |||
| Capacity | 23,475 | |||
| Head coach | Dyego Coelho | |||
| League | Campeonato Brasileiro Série D Campeonato Paulista | |||
| 2024 2024 | Série D, 8th of 64 Paulista, 6th of 16 | |||
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Associação Atlética Internacional, commonly referred to as simply Inter de Limeira, is a Brazilian association football club in Limeira, São Paulo. They currently play in the Série D, the fourth tier of Brazilian football, as well as in the Campeonato Paulista, São Paulo's premier state league.
The club's home colours are black and white and the team mascot is a lion.
History
[edit | edit source]On October 2, 1913, at Teatro da Paz (meaning Peace Theater) members of an amateur football club called Barroquinha decided to professionalise their club, and established a monthly fee to be paid by its members and associates.[1] On October 5, 1913,[2] Associação Atlética Internacional was officially founded. The club was named after a São Paulo city club named Internacional (not to be confused with the still active Internacional of Porto Alegre).[3] According to some fans, the club is named to honor the several immigrant communities in Limeira, like the German, Italian, Japanese, and Portuguese communities.[1]
In 1926, Internacional won its first title, the São Paulo Countryside Cup.[4]
In 1982, the club contested the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A for the first time. Inter de Limeira finished in the 23rd position, ahead of big clubs like Cruzeiro and Atlético Paranaense.[5]
In 1986, Internacional, managed by Pepe,[6] won the Campeonato Paulista. It was the first time that a countryside club won the competition.[6] In the semifinals, Inter de Limeira beat Santos, and in the final, the club defeated Palmeiras.[7]
In 1988, Inter de Limeira won its first national title, the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B. In the final four, the club finished ahead of Náutico of Pernambuco state, Ponte Preta of São Paulo state and Americano of Rio de Janeiro state. The club was promoted to the following year's Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.[8]
In 2025, Inter de Limeira made the semifinals of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D, clinching promotion to the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C in 2026.
Current squad
[edit | edit source]First-team squad
[edit | edit source]- As of 10 February 2025
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Honours
[edit | edit source]Official tournaments
[edit | edit source]| National | ||
|---|---|---|
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| Campeonato Brasileiro Série B | 1 | 1988 |
| State | ||
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| Campeonato Paulista | 1 | 1986 |
| Campeonato Paulista Série A2 | 3 | 1978, 1996, 2004 |
| Campeonato Paulista Série A3 | 1 | 1966 |
Others tournaments
[edit | edit source]Inter-state
[edit | edit source]Runners-up
[edit | edit source]- Copa Paulista (1): 2017
- Campeonato Paulista Série A2 (2): 1928, 2019
- Campeonato Paulista Série A3 (2): 1962, 2017
Youth team
[edit | edit source]- Taça Belo Horizonte de Juniores (1): 1990
Stadium
[edit | edit source]Inter de Limeira's home stadium is Estádio Major José Levy Sobrinho, also known as Limeirão,[2] inaugurated in 1977, with a maximum capacity of 23,475 people.[9]
Notable players
[edit | edit source]Notable managers
[edit | edit source]Club colors
[edit | edit source]Internacional's colors are black and white.[2]
Anthem
[edit | edit source]The club's anthem was composed by Joel Navarini, and it is called "Avante Leão!" (meaning "Go ahead Lion!").[10]
Nickname
[edit | edit source]The club is nicknamed Leão da Paulista (meaning "Lion of Paulista"). The nickname appeared after a match between Internacional and Comercial-Ribeirão Preto of Ribeirão Preto. Comercial is nicknamed Leão, and after a successful trip when the club remained undefeated, the club was beaten by Inter de Limeira, which then adopted the nickname.[3]
Mascot
[edit | edit source]Inter de Limeira's mascot is called Leão, meaning lion.[6] He is usually depicted wearing the club's home or away kit.[11]
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b c Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b Club history and trivia at Futebol Interior Archived June 25, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ 1982 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A at RSSSF Archived February 18, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c Especial Placar - 500 Times do Brasil, São Paulo: Editora Abril: 2003.
- ^ 1986 Campeonato Paulista at RSSSF Archived February 20, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ 1988 Campeonato Brasileiro Série B at RSSSF Archived December 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Estádio Major José Levy Sobrinho at Templos do Futebol
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Mascot depicted in Internacional's fansite[permanent dead link]
External links
[edit | edit source]- Official website (archived)
- Internacional at Arquivo de Clubes (archived)
- Internacional at Futebol Interior (archived)