On September 6, São Paulo will host the first official NFL game to be played in South America. Although a true party is expected, given the growing fanaticism in Brazil for American football, the designation of the teams generated an issue to be resolved that seemed not to be in the organizers’ plans.
In the opening week of the regular season, the Neo Química Arena will host the clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers. These are two of the most beloved teams, supported by the Brazilian public and always with a chance of reaching the long-awaited Super Bowl.
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The Eagles, led by Jalen Hurts, were runners-up two seasons ago and last season fell in the first round of the playoffs, while the Packers reached the divisional round in their first year without Aaron Rodgers as quarterback.
The unexpected problem arose over the uniforms: both wear green, a color informally banned by Corinthians due to the great rivalry with Palmeiras. The leaders of Timão do not want their house to be dyed that color and are already in talks with their counterparts from the Eagles, the home team, to avoid it.
“What color are the teams’ jerseys?” São Paulo Mayor Ricardo Nunes asked with a laugh during the press conference announcing the match. “The color decision will be up to the teams as the game gets closer,” responded Gerrit Meier, head of the NFL’s international division.
The first-ever regular season game IN BRAZIL is SET! 🇧🇷 @NFLBrasil
And for the first time in more than 50 years, an NFL game will be played on Friday night of opening weekend. pic.twitter.com/9T4HGqXdkd
— NFL (@NFL) April 10, 2024
The historic rivalry of the Derby Paulista
What is not a joke is the rivalry between Corinthians and Palmeiras. The Paulista Derby is the largest in the state, one of the oldest in Brazil (the first duel dates back to 1917) and considered one of the most important in the world.
The teams faced each other on 378 occasions, with a slight advantage for Verdão, which has accumulated 134 victories against 129 for Corinthians and 115 draws. Between them they have decided several times the Paulista Championship, the Brasileirão and the extinct Rio-São Paulo tournament that brought together clubs from both states.
In the Libertadores the record is even with three wins for each, although Timão lifted the continental trophy on only one occasion (2012) and its archrival three times (1999, 2020 and 2021). One of the most memorable clashes was the 2000 semi-final: Corinthians won the first leg 4-3, Palmeiras won 3-2 in the rematch and then qualified for the final on penalties.
😇👐 6 de junho de 2000! Há 19 anos, o ídolo palmeirense Marcos parou o ídolo corintiano Marcelinho no pênalti que colocou o @Palmeiras na final da #Libertadores!
🔙⚽️ Noite de São Marcos. Foi o último duelo entre os rivais pela Copa. #Palmeiras #Corinthians pic.twitter.com/pofDgf2W9P
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@LibertadoresBR) June 6, 2019
