América Futebol Clube (MG)

Traditional Brazilian football team from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais

"América Mineiro" redirects here. For the women's team, see América Futebol Clube (MG) (women). For other uses, see América Futebol Clube (disambiguation).

Soccer club

América Mineiro

Full name| América Futebol Clube
Nickname(s)| Coelho (Rabbit)
Founded| April 30, 1912; 112 years ago (1912-04-30)
Ground| Arena Independência
Capacity| 23,018
SAF Owner| América Futebol Clube (MG) (100%)
President| Alencar da Silveira
League| Campeonato Brasileiro Série B
Campeonato Mineiro
2023
2023| Série A, 20th of 20 (relegated)
Mineiro, 2nd of 12
Website| https://www.americafc.com.br/

Home colors

Away colors

Third colors

|
|

Current season

América Futebol Clube, commonly referred to as simply América Mineiro, is a Brazilian football team from the city of Belo Horizonte, capital city of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. Founded in 1912, the club preserves its name and crest since its inception. The original home kit colours are white and green only; the black color was incorporated in the 1970s.[1] The team also played with a red home kit between 1933 and 1942, as a protest to the introduction of professionalism.[2] It hosts its matches at Independência stadium.[3] The club has the third largest fan base among the teams from Minas Gerais.[4][5]

América is one of the most traditional and successful teams from Minas Gerais. It has won the state championship 16 times, and finished as runners-up in another 16 occasions. The first 10 victories were in a row, between 1916 and 1925, being the national record of successive accomplishments (together with ABC); the most recent was in 2016. Other major accomplishments were the Brazilian Second Division in 1997 and 2017, South-Minas Cup in 2000, and Brazilian Third Division in 2009.

The club has a long reputation in forming young talents in football.[6] Among others, it has revealed the world-class players Tostão, Éder Aleixo, Yuji Nakazawa, Gilberto Silva, Fred, Danilo and Richarlison. América has won the three most important junior tournaments in Brazil: São Paulo Juniors Cup (1996), Brazilian Championship U-20 (2011) and Belo Horizonte Juniors Cup (2000 and 2014).

## History

[edit]

On 30 April 1912, a group of young men who played football purely for the love of the game decided to turn their team into a football club.[7] In the first meeting, the founders decided that the name of the club would be América Foot-Ball Club,[8] and the colors would be green and white.[7] The first matches were played on the mayor's field.[7] In 1913, América and Minas Gerais Futebol Clube fused, and the club changed its colors to green, white and black.[9] Between 1916 and 1925, the team won ten state championships in a row.[9]

América's team, 1971. National Archives of Brazil.

In 1933, as a protest to the professionalization of Brazilian football, the club changed its colors to red and white.[7] In 1943, the club professionalized its football division, and returned to its previous colors.[7] In 1948, América won its first state championship as a professional club.[9]

In 1997, América won the Série B for the first time,[10] and in 2000, the club won the Copa Sul-Minas first edition, beating Cruzeiro in the final.[11] In 2004, after a poor performance in the Série B, América was relegated to the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C,[12] and in 2007, the club finished in Campeonato Mineiro's last position, and was relegated to the following year's Campeonato Mineiro Módulo II.[13] América won the Série C in 2009, beating ASA in the final.[14] The following year, the team was fourth at Série B and returned to the top level of the Brazilian championship after ten years.[15] On 14 June 2013, América signed a cooperation contract with the Tahitian Football Federation to develop under-20 national players.[16]

## Symbols

[edit]

The club's official anthem was composed by Vicente Motta. There are also two other anthems: The unofficial anthem, which was composed by Fernando Brant and Tavinho Moura, and the supporters' anthem, whose lyrics were composed by Márcio Vianna Dias and sung by Fernando Ângelo.[17] América's mascot was created by the cartoonist Fernando Pierucetti, and is a red-eyed white cartoon rabbit with clearly protruding teeth.[9]

## Derbies

[edit]

América's greatest rivals are Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro.[18] The derby between América and Atlético Mineiro is known as O Clássico das Multidões (The Derby of the Masses),[8] and was first played on November 15, 1913, in a friendly game that ended in a 1–1 draw.[19]

## Honours

[edit]

### National

[edit]

* Campeonato Brasileiro Série B
* Winners (2): 1997, 2017
* Runners-up (1): 2020
* Campeonato Brasileiro Série C
* Winner (1): 2009

### Regional

[edit]

* Copa Sul-Minas
* Winner (1): 2000

### State

[edit]

* Campeonato Mineiro
* Winners (16): 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1948, 1957, 1971, 1993, 2001, 2016
* Runners-up (17): 1915, 1930, 1931, 1942, 1949, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1992, 1995, 1999, 2012, 2021, 2023
* Taça Minas Gerais
* Winner (1): 2005
* Runners-up (3): 1977, 1980, 1984
* Campeonato Mineiro Módulo II
* Winner (1): 2008
* Torneio Início do Campeonato Mineiro
* Winners (13): 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1924, 1925, 1927, 1933, 1936, 1945, 1955, 1957

### City

[edit]

* Campeonato Extra da Cidade de BH
* Winners (1): 1939

### Youth competitions

[edit]

* Copa RS Sub-20
* Winner (1): 2011
* Copa São Paulo de Juniores
* Winner (1): 1996
* Taça Belo Horizonte de Juniores
* Winners (2): 2000, 2014
* Runner-up (1): 1995

### Women's

[edit]

* Campeonato Mineiro de Futebol Feminino
* Winners (3): 2016, 2017, 2018

## Current squad

[edit]

As of 21 August 2024[20]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

1  | GK |  BRA | Elias (on loan from Itabirito)
3  | DF |  BRA | Lucão
4  | DF |  BRA | Pedro Barcelos
5  | MF |  ARG | Fernando Elizari
6  | DF |  BRA | Marlon
7  | FW |  BRA | Vinícius
8  | MF |  BRA | Juninho (captain)
9  | FW |  BRA | Brenner
10  | MF |  ARG | Martín Benítez
11  | FW |  BRA | Felipe Azevedo
12  | GK |  BRA | Jori
15  | MF |  BRA | Moisés
16  | MF |  BRA | Alê
18  | DF |  BRA | Júlio
19  | MF |  BRA | Felipe Amaral
20  | DF |  BRA | Daniel Borges (on loan from Botafogo)
27  | GK |  BRA | Cássio
28  | FW |  BRA | Fabinho
29  | FW |  BRA | Vítor Jacaré
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

30  | DF |  BRA | Nicolas Vichiatto
31  | GK |  BRA | Dalberson
33  | DF |  BRA | Éder
36  | DF |  BRA | Mateus Henrique
37  | FW |  BRA | Thauan Willians
39  | MF |  BRA | Flávio
44  | FW |  BRA | Adyson
45  | DF |  BRA | Ricardo Silva
68  | MF |  BRA | Yago Santos
71  | DF |  BRA | Jhow
73  | GK |  BRA | Natan
75  | MF |  BRA | Rodriguinho
77  | MF |  BRA | Wallisson (on loan from Athletic-MG)
78  | FW |  BRA | Renato Marques
80  | MF |  BRA | Daniel Júnior (on loan from Vitória)
88  | FW |  BRA | Matheus Davó (on loan from Cruzeiro)
97  | MF |  BRA | Gustavinho
99  | FW |  BRA | Jonathas

### Youth team

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

70  | DF |  BRA | Rafa Barcelos
72  | DF |  BRA | Paulinho

### Out on loan

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

-- | FW |  BRA | Ighor Gabryel (at Santo André until 30 September 2024)
-- | FW |  BRA | Rodrigo Varanda (at Santa Clara until 30 June 2025)

### First-team staff

[edit]

Position  | Name  | Nationality

|
|

Head coach  | Cauan de Almeida |  Brazil
Assistant manager  | Diogo Giacomini |  Brazil
Assistant manager  | Régis Angeli  |  Brazil
Fitness coach  | Jonas Neves  |  Brazil
Fitness coach  | Lucas Itaberaba  |  Brazil
Fitness coach  | William Matos  |  Brazil
Goalkeeping coach  | Marcos Gontijo  |  Brazil
Goalkeeping coach  | Silvio Jardim  |  Brazil

## Notable players

[edit]

* Álvaro Santos
* Claudinei
* Danilo
* Éder Aleixo
* Esio Vieira
* Euller
* Fred
* Gilberto
* Gilberto Silva
* Richarlison
* Juca Show
* Milagres
* Palhinha
* Satyro Tabuada
* Spencer Coelho
* Toninho Cerezo
* Tostão
* William Morais

## Notable managers

[edit]

* Carlos Alberto Silva
* Flávio Lopes
* Givanildo Oliveira
* Paulo Comelli
* Yustrich
* Lisca Doido

## See also

[edit]

* América Futebol Clube (MG) (women), women's team

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "História Do Uniforme" [Jersey history] (in Portuguese). América Futebol Clube. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
2. ^ Miguel Jabur. "América Vermelho (1930-1942)" [Red America (1930–1942)] (in Portuguese). Acervo do América. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
3. ^ Miguel Jabur. "A história do Estádio Independência" [The history of Independência stadium] (in Portuguese). Acervo do América. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
4. ^ "MG tem torcida de todo o país, e RS é o estado mais fechado a times de fora" [Minas Gerais has supporters from teams from all over the country. Rio Grande do Sul is the state more closed to outsider teams] (in Portuguese). Globoesporte.com. August 30, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
5. ^ "Flamengo e Corinthians lideram levantamento de torcidas no país" [Flamengo and Corinthians lead the ranking of number of supporters] (in Portuguese). UOL. October 4, 2004. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
6. ^ Vinícius Las Casas (April 29, 2013). "América se notabiliza na formação de talentos no futebol" [America becomes renowned in forming talents in football] (in Portuguese). Hoje em Dia. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
7. ^ a b c d e "América Mineiro" (in Portuguese). Arquivo de Clubes. Archived from the original on December 23, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2008.
8. ^ a b "América x Atlético" (in Portuguese). Clássicos do Futebol Brasileiro. Retrieved August 28, 2008.
9. ^ a b c d Enciclopédia do Futebol Brasileiro Lance Volume 1. Rio de Janeiro: Aretê Editorial S/A. 2001. p. 118\. ISBN 85-88651-01-7.
10. ^ "Brazil 1997 Championship – Second Level (Série B)" (in Portuguese). RSSSF. February 18, 2000. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved August 28, 2008.
11. ^ "Copa Sul-Minas 2000" (in Portuguese). RSSSF. August 25, 2008. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved August 28, 2008.
12. ^ "Brazil 2004 Championship – Second Level (Série B)" (in Portuguese). RSSSF. December 5, 2004. Archived from the original on April 12, 2008. Retrieved August 28, 2008.
13. ^ "Minas Gerais State Championship 2007" (in Portuguese). RSSSF. May 30, 2007. Archived from the original on December 10, 2007. Retrieved August 28, 2008.
14. ^ "América-MG vence o ASA e conquista o título da Série C" (in Portuguese). UOL Esporte. September 19, 2009. Retrieved September 19, 2009.
15. ^ "América-MG segura empate, no sufoco, e garante retorno à Série A" [America-MG secure ties with difficulties and returns to the first division] (in Portuguese). UOL. November 27, 2010. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
16. ^ "América e Taiti iniciam parceria Três atletas sub-20 devem fazer período de adaptação no clube" [América and Tahiti start partnership. Three athletes are in adaptation period in the club] (in Portuguese). América Futebol Clube. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
17. ^ "Hinos do América" (in Portuguese). América Futebol Clube (MG) official website. Archived from the original on March 29, 2008. Retrieved August 28, 2008.
18. ^ "De férias, Alex Mineiro pode voltar ao futebol brasileiro" (in Portuguese). Último Segundo iG. December 15, 2006. Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved August 28, 2008.
19. ^ "América x Atlético – Resultadoa" (in Portuguese). Clássicos do Futebol Brasileiro. Retrieved October 6, 2008.
20. ^ "Elenco masculino" [Men's team] (in Brazilian Portuguese). América FC. Retrieved February 13, 2023.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to América Futebol Clube (Belo Horizonte).

* (in Portuguese) Official website (in Brazilian Portuguese)

* v
* t
* e

Campeonato Brasileiro Série B

2024 clubs|

* Amazonas
* América Mineiro
* Avaí
* Botafogo-SP
* Brusque
* Ceará
* Chapecoense
* Coritiba
* CRB
* Goiás
* Guarani
* Ituano
* Mirassol
* Novorizontino
* Operário Ferroviário
* Paysandu
* Ponte Preta
* Santos
* Sport
* Vila Nova

Seasons|

* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
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* v
* t
* e

Campeonato Mineiro

2024 clubs|

* América
* Athletic Club
* Atlético
* Cruzeiro
* Democrata GV
* Ipatinga
* Itabirito
* Patrocinense
* Pouso Alegre
* Tombense
* Uberlândia
* Villa Nova

Former clubs|

* Arsenal
* Araxá
* América de Teófilo Otoni
* Atlético (Três Corações)
* Betinense
* Boa Esporte
* Caldense
* CAP Uberlândia
* Coimbra
* Democrata SL
* Esportiva
* Figueirense
* Guarani
* Formiga
* Ituiutabano
* Mamoré
* Minas Brasil
* Nacional (Muriaé)
* Nacional (Nova Serrana)
* Nacional (Uberaba)
* Patrocinense
* Ponte Nova
* Siderúrgica
* Social
* Sport
* Tupi
* Tupynambás
* Uberaba
* União Luziense
* URT
* Valério

Seasons|

* 1915
* 1916
* 1917
* 1918
* 1919
* 1920
* 1921
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1925
* 1926
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929
* 1930
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* 1933
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* 1936
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* 1939
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* 1943
* 1944
* 1945
* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
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* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
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* 1967
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* 1972
* 1973
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* 1982
* 1983
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* 1985
* 1986
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* 1991
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* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[GK]: Goalkeeper
*[DF]: Defender
*[MF]: Midfielder
*[FW]: Forward
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*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template