Top 10 biggest winners of the Copa do Brasil

The Copa do Brasil is one of the most fascinating tournaments in national football. Created in 1989 by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), it stands out for its democratic format: clubs from all regions and divisions of the country have the chance to compete for the same title. With knockout matches in home and away games, the Copa do Brasil usually provides twists and turns, historic upsets and thrilling decisions.

Furthermore, it is one of the most valuable competitions in the Brazilian calendar. According to the CBF itself, the prize for the winner can exceed R$90 million, which makes it financially more attractive than the Brazilian Championship itself. As a bonus, the winner also guarantees a direct spot in the Copa Libertadores da América, which further increases its importance.

Over more than three decades, the competition has revealed unforgettable stories. Let's remember the 10 biggest champions in the history of the Copa do Brasil, based on the number of titles and runner-up positions.

10th - Santos / Sao Paulo / Sport / Vasco

Opening our list, we have a four-way tie! Santos, São Paulo, Sport and Vasco have one title and one runner-up each.

- Santos were champions in 2010, with a team led by Neymar and Paulo Henrique Ganso, and runners-up in 2015.

- São Paulo, despite being a giant of Brazilian football, only won the Copa do Brasil in 2023, ending a long drought — it was runner-up in 2000.

- Sport surprised the country by winning the 2008 edition, beating Corinthians in the final with a historic comeback.

- Vasco lifted the cup in 2011, with Dedé and Diego Souza standing out, and was runner-up in 2006.

These results show how balanced and unpredictable the Copa do Brasil is, even for the most traditional clubs.

9th - Athletico Paranaense

In ninth place is Furacão. Athletico Paranaense won the Copa do Brasil in 2019, beating Internacional at Beira-Rio. They were runners-up in 2013, in a thrilling final against Flamengo, and again in 2021, when they lost to Atlético-MG.

Since the inauguration of the Arena da Baixada, renovated in 2014, Athletico has consolidated itself as a national and international force, including South American titles and good campaigns in the Libertadores.

8th - Fluminense

In eighth place is Fluminense, champion of the Copa do Brasil in 2007, with Thiago Neves and Dodô standing out. The club was also runner-up on two occasions: 1992, when it lost to Inter, and 2005, when it was defeated by Paulista de Jundiaí — one of the biggest upsets in the history of the competition.

Despite the recent success in the Libertadores, the Copa do Brasil continues to be one of the most celebrated titles by the tricolor fans.

7th - International

Internacional won the Copa do Brasil in 1992, with a squad led by players such as Célio Silva and Gílson. The club was runner-up in 2009, losing to Ronaldo's Corinthians, and in 2019, again defeated, this time by Athletico.

Interestingly, Inter prioritized continental tournaments for much of the 2000s, but the Copa do Brasil remains an objective for the club in the 21st century.

6th - Atlético-MG

Atlético Mineiro, or simply Galo, won the Copa do Brasil in 2014 and 2021. In 2014, the title came with epic comebacks over Corinthians, Flamengo and Cruzeiro. In 2021, Hulk and Nacho Fernández's team dominated the tournament from start to finish.

The club was runner-up in 2016 (lost to Grêmio) and in 2024, when it was surpassed by Flamengo.

5th - Corinthians

Corinthians has 3 titles: 1995, 2002 and 2009. In these achievements, it shone with names such as Marcelinho Carioca, Ricardinho, Tévez and Ronaldo.

The club was runner-up in 2001, 2008, 2018 and 2022, always playing a leading role in the final stages. Fiel always fills stadiums in the knockout stages of the Copa do Brasil, making the Corinthians arena a real cauldron.

4th - Palm Trees

Verdão won 4 Copa do Brasil titles: 1998, 2012, 2015 and 2020. The club was also runner-up in 1996*, losing the final to Cruzeiro.

Under the command of Abel Ferreira, Palmeiras began to face all tournaments with very high performance and today is among the favorites in any competition it takes part in.

3rd - Grêmio

Grêmio is one of the most traditional clubs in the Copa do Brasil, with 5 titles (1989, 1994, 1997, 2001 and 2016) and 4 runners-up (1991, 1993, 1995 and 2020).

The club stands out for its efficiency in knockout matches, one of the trademarks of the "Gaucho school" of football. Grêmio fans value this competition a lot and have a historical relationship with it.

2nd - Flamengo

With a dominant decade, Flamengo reached 5 titles: 1990, 2006, 2013, 2022 and 2024, in addition to 5 runner-up positions: 1997, 2003, 2004, 2017 and 2023.

The 2024 conquest confirmed the club's recent hegemony, which has millionaire squads and a solid base revealed at Ninho do Urubu.

1st - Cruise

Cruzeiro is the greatest champion in the history of the Copa do Brasil, with 6 titles: 1993, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2017 and 2018. In addition, it was runner-up in 1998 and 2014.

During the 1990s and 2000s, the club dominated the national knockout stage, with memorable campaigns and star-studded squads. Despite recent difficulties, Raposa remains a historical reference in the tournament.

The Copa do Brasil is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting competitions in the country. Its democratic formula, with clubs from all corners and divisions, allows giants to meet with surprises, and glory is won by those who really show strength in the decisive duels.

Clubs like Cruzeiro, Grêmio and Flamengo stood out for their consistency, but each year, new stories are written — and surprises can always happen.

And you, football fan or lover, which of these campaigns stuck in your memory? Leave your comment and share this list with other sports fans!