All Honorary Titles from the 12 biggest Brazilian Football teams

Do you know what honorary titles are in football? Honorary or “Honorific” Titles are a type of honor given to the club due to some merit it had.

This merit could be winning several titles in the same year, some national or international reputation that the club has (given a context), or some award given by some larger organization (critics, magazines, or some sports foundation).

Let's see what the Honors of Big 12 of Brazilian football.

International Quadruple Crown

São Paulo was the protagonist of one of the greatest achievements in Brazilian football, winning in 1993 the first and only international quadruple crown. Which consists of winning 4 international titles in the same year.

They were:- Libertadores da América, Intercontinental Cup, Supercopa Sudamericana and Recopa Sudamericana.

International Triple Crown

In 1992 São Paulo won its first international triple crown, which consists of winning 3 international titles in the same year.

Libertadores da América, Intercontinental Cup and Recopa Sul-Americana

Triple Crown

In 2005, São Paulo was once again awarded a triple crown, for winning 3 titles in the same year.

São Paulo Championship, Libertadores da América and the FIFA Club World Cup

Best Brazilian Club, and 2nd largest club in South America in the decade 2001-2010

This honor was given to the club by the organization recognized by FIFA: IFFHS (International Federation of Football History and Statistics).

According to IFFHS, the biggest South American club of the 2001-2010 decade was Boca Juniors.

International Blue Ribbon

The international Blue Ribbon honor was given by the former CBD (Brazilian Sports Confederation), the predecessor of the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation). For a time, the award was also awarded by “A Gazeta Esportiva”, a renowned São Paulo sports newspaper.

The Blue Ribbon rewards a Brazilian team that “returns to Brazil undefeated after an international campaign”, being given during the period from 1951 to 1979.

São Paulo won its ribbon after a tour of Europe in 1964, where it played 11 games, won 8 and drew 3.

Two Quadruple Crowns

In 1962 and 1963, Santos won the incredible mark of 4 titles in the same year consecutively.

1962 - Paulista Championship, Brazilian Championship, Libertadores da América, Intercontinental Cup. To this day, the only one in all areas from the state level onwards.

1963 - Rio-São Paulo Cup, Brazilian Championship, Libertadores da América, Intercontinental Cup.

Two Triple Crowns

In 1964 and 1968 Santos once again achieved incredible feats in football, winning two more triple crowns.

1964 - Paulista Championship, Rio-São Paulo Tournament and Brazilian Championship.

1968 - Paulista Championship, Brazilian Championship (RGP, and Intercontinental Champions Cup).

Two International Blue Ribbons

Santos won this honor twice, in 1967 and 1973, after campaigning in Africa (1967), Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania (1973).

In Africa he played 11 games, won 10 and drew only 1. And during 47, on his tour of Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania, he played 17 games, won 15 and drew 2.

5th Biggest Football Club of the 20th Century by FIFA

In December 2000, FIFA published a list of the biggest clubs of the century in its bimonthly magazine. The clubs were chosen through a survey and votes from popular readers of the list.

Santos tied for 5th place with Ajax with 10 votes, behind Barcelona (4th), Bayern Munich (3rd), Manchester United (2nd) and Real Madrid (1st).

The Greatest Club in the Americas of the 20th Century

At the same award, in December 2000, FIFA awarded Santos the honorary award for Biggest Club in the Americas.

Invicta International Triple Crown

In 2012, Corinthians won the international triple crown after winning 3 international tournaments in the same year (or period, as one of the club's titles was won in 2013) undefeated.

They were: Libertadores da América, FIFA Club World Cup and Recopa Sul-Americana (2013).

International Blue Ribbon

Despite being an honor given to a club that returns “undefeated” after an international tour, Corinthians holds the honorary title, despite losing a match in its 1952 campaign in Europe.

He played 16 matches, won 12, drew 3 and lost 1.

6 Triple Crowns

Palmeiras won the triple crown 6 times. However, two of these honors (1951 and 1972) are not popularly recognized because they contain titles of low renown.

1951 - Rio-São Paulo Tournament, Copa Rio Internacional and Taça Cidade de São Paulo.

1972 - Paulista Championship, Brazilian Championship and Laudo Natel Tournament.

1993 - Paulista Championship, Brazilian Championship and Rio-São Paulo Tournament

2020 - Paulista Championship, Libertadores da América and Copa do Brasil

2022 - Recupa Sudamericana, Campeonato Paulista and Campeonato Brasileiro

2023 - Super Copa do Brasil, Campeonato Paulista and Campeonato Brasileiro

Although Palmeiras won two Libertadores in 2021 and one Brazilian Cup, these three titles do not constitute a Triple Crown, as the first Libertadores counts as a tournament that began in the 2020 season.

Leader of the IFFHS Annual World Ranking

Every year, IFFHS organizes a ranking of all the clubs in the world, separating them by a score based on their results over the last 365 days.

Wins and draws in international leagues such as: Libertadores da América, Champions League, UEFA and others count towards the clubs' points.

In 2021, Palmeiras led the ranking with 322 points, in second place was Atlético Mineiro with 313, and in third place was Manchester City with 300 points.

Quadruple Crown

In 2020, Flamengo won the first Quadruple crown for a Brazilian team in the 21st century.

The titles were - Campeonato Carioca, Supercopa do Brasil, Recopa Sudamericana and Campeonato Brasileiro.

Two Triple Crowns

Flamengo won the triple crown in football in 1981 and 2019.

1981 - Campeonato Carioca, Libertadores da América and Intercontinental Cup.

2019 - Campeonato Carioca, Campeonato Brasileiro and Libertadores da América. The Libertadores title was won 23 hours before the Brazilian title was won.

9th Largest Football Club in the World of the 20th Century by FIFA

In December 2000, FIFA published a list of the biggest clubs of the century in its bimonthly magazine. The clubs were chosen through a survey and votes from popular readers of the list.

Flamengo tied for 9th place with Rive Plate and Milan, all with 3 votes.

Leader of the IFFHS Annual World Ranking

In November 2022, Flamengo led the IFFHS Ranking with 329 points.

In second place was Liverpool with 311 and in third was Palmeiras with 308.

FIFA Classic Club

In 2008, FIFA paid tribute to Fluminense on its website in the series about classic clubs around the world.

The title of the article was “Forever Flu” and told the entire history of the club, its idols and achievements. In the end, the club is awarded the honorary title of FIFA Classic Club.

Olympic Cup

Photo from article header.

This is the highest honor given annually to the person who has done the most for Olympism in the world.

Fluminense, in 1924, sent documentation to the Olympic committee portraying the 1922 Latin American games, which took place at the club's facilities, in order to receive the honor.

Due to several comings and goings, wars and re-registration of its documentation, the club was only approved as eligible to receive the honor in 1949.

Carioca Champion of the 20th Century

Fluminense holds this honorary title for being the club that won the most times in the Carioca tournament during the 20th century, the most renowned state tournament of that period.

7th in the IFFHS Annual World Monthly Ranking

Every year, IFFHS organizes a ranking of all the clubs in the world, separating them by a score based on their results over the last 365 days.

Wins and draws in international leagues such as: Libertadores da América, Champions League, UEFA and others count towards the clubs' points.

In January 2023, Fluminense ended the month in 7th place, adding 233 points.

This type of honor is normally given to clubs that end the month in the top 10.

1st National Champion Club of Brazilian Sports - Regatas

This honor is given to the club for being the first Brazilian Regatta champion in the “Rowing” modality in 1902.

Champion of Land, Sea and Air - Olympic

Botafogo received this honor in 1962 by the international Olympic committee, for winning titles in all Olympic disciplines it competed in international, state and national games. The modalities ranged from rowing to model airplanes.

Triple Crown

In 1968, Botafogo won a triple crown considered of “less expression” as it contained titles of low renown.

The titles were - Guanabara Cup, Carioca Championship and Brazilian Championship. At that time, the Guanabara Cup was a separate official championship and not a round or phase of the Carioca Championship as it is currently.

Club that gave the most players to the Brazilian national team in the 20th century

Botafogo received this honor in 1998 for being the Brazilian club that donated the most players to the Brazilian national team during the 20th century.

12th Biggest Club in the World and 3rd Biggest Club in Brazil in the 20th century by FIFA

In December 2000, FIFA published a list of the biggest clubs of the century in its bimonthly magazine. The clubs were chosen through a survey and votes from popular readers of the list.

Botafogo came in 12th place, tied with 2 votes with the clubs: Liverpool, Benfica, Independiente, Boca Juniors, Internazionale and Arsenal.

And the club was also in 3rd place in the ranking of the best Brazilian club, below Flamengo with 3 votes and Santos with 10 votes.

Greatest international unbeaten record in Brazilian Football

Vasco received this honor for remaining 34 games undefeated in international competitions from 1949 to 1954.

Leader of the IFFHS Monthly World Club Ranking

In December 2000, Vasco topped the IFFHS Ranking, we have no record of the club's score at the time.

Thirteen Times Champion of Land, Sea and Air

This is an honor given by the International Olympic Committee, to anyone who wins a title in all the Olympic disciplines they compete in that year. Vasco received this honor thirteen times in the years - 1924, 1934, 1936, 1945 undefeated, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1952, 1956, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1998.

International Triple Crown

In 2006, Internacional won 3 international titles during the same period of the year (Recopa Sul-Americana in 2007), being the only international triple crown in the southern region of the country.

The titles were - Libertadores da América, FIFA Club World Cup and Recopa Sul-Americana. The Club used different shields during this period to celebrate achievements.

5th in the IFFHS Annual World Ranking

In 2006, Internacional ended the year as the 5th best placed in the world ranking organized by IFFHS behind Sevilla (4th), Liverpool (3rd), Barcelona (2nd), Internazionale (1st).

This data was taken in August 2006, before Internacional won the Club World Cup, after which there are no records of the club's score in the rankings.

Triple Crown

In 1996 Grêmio won three titles during the same period of the year.

The titles were - Gaúcho Championship, Recopa Sul-Americana and Brazilian Championship.

Best Brazilian team of the Decade from 2011 to 2020 by IFFHS

Grêmio was the Brazilian club that scored the most points in the IFFHS world ranking during the period from 2011 to 2020, totaling 1895 points, being the 14th club with the best score during this period.

Wins and draws in international leagues such as: Libertadores da América, Champions League, UEFA and others count towards the clubs' points.

Second Biggest Club in the World by IFFHS

After the Club World Cup dispute against Real Madrid in 2017, the IFFHS awarded Grêmio the honorary award for the second biggest club in the world of the year.

The Club received a symbolic score of 10,000 points, while Real Madrid (World Champion) received a symbolic score of 50,000,00 points.

Triple Crown

In 2003, Cruzeiro won three titles during the same period of the year.

They were - Mineiro Championship, Brazilian Cup and Brazilian Championship

Best Brazilian Club of the 20th Century by IFFHS

In 2009, the IFFHS awarded Cruzeiro the title of Best Brazilian club of the 20th century.

Cruzeiro, from 1901 to 2000, totaled 295.50 points. This score only referred to disputes in international tournaments, and disputes from the quarter-finals upwards, in national tournaments.

In total, the club was the best Brazilian placed in the ranking, but it was the 7th South American club. The biggest club in the Americas in the 20th century is Peñarol and in the world, Real Madrid.

Triple Crown

In 2021, Atlético Mineiro won three titles during the same period of the year.

They were - Mineiro Championship, Brazilian Championship and Brazilian Cup.

Second largest Club in the World by IFFHS

In 2021, Atlético Mineiro ended the year in 2nd place in the IFFHS annual club ranking, totaling 313 points. In first place was Palmeiras with 322, and in third was Manchester City with 300 points.

First Brazilian Champion

In 2023, the CBF recognized the 1937 championship as the first Brazilian professional football championship, giving the honor of first Brazilian champion to Atlético Mineiro.

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