 | ||||
| Full name | Associação Atlética Internacional | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | Leão da Paulista (Paulista Lions) | |||
| Founded | October 5, 1913; 112 years ago (1913-10-05) | |||
| 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 | |||
Associação Atlética Internacional, commonly referred to as simplyInter de Limeira, is aBrazilian association football club inLimeira,São Paulo. They currently play in theSérie D, the fourth tier ofBrazilian football, as well as in theCampeonato Paulista, São Paulo's premierstate league.
The club's home colours are black and white and the team mascot is alion.
On October 2, 1913, at Teatro da Paz (meaningPeace 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 aSão Paulo city club namedInternacional (not to be confused with the still activeInternacional of Porto Alegre).[3] According to some fans, the club is named to honor the several immigrant communities in Limeira, like theGerman,Italian,Japanese, andPortuguese communities.[1]
In 1926, Internacional won its first title, theSão Paulo Countryside Cup.[4]
In 1982, the club contested theCampeonato Brasileiro Série A for the first time. Inter de Limeira finished in the 23rd position, ahead of big clubs likeCruzeiro andAtlético Paranaense.[5]
In 1986, Internacional, managed byPepe,[6] won theCampeonato Paulista. It was the first time that a countryside club won the competition.[6] In the semifinals, Inter de Limeira beatSantos, and in the final, the club defeatedPalmeiras.[7]
In 1988, Inter de Limeira won its first national title, theCampeonato Brasileiro Série B. In the final four, the club finished ahead ofNáutico ofPernambuco state,Ponte Preta ofSão Paulo state andAmericano ofRio 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 theCampeonato Brasileiro Série D, clinching promotion to theCampeonato Brasileiro Série C in 2026.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
| 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 |
Inter de Limeira's home stadium isEstádio Major José Levy Sobrinho, also known as Limeirão,[2] inaugurated in 1977, with a maximum capacity of 23,475 people.[9]
Internacional's colors are black and white.[2]
The club's anthem was composed by Joel Navarini, and it is called "Avante Leão!" (meaning "Go ahead Lion!").[10]
The club is nicknamedLeão da Paulista (meaning "Lion of Paulista"). The nickname appeared after a match between Internacional andComercial-Ribeirão Preto ofRibeirão 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]
Inter de Limeira's mascot is called Leão, meaninglion.[6] He is usually depicted wearing the club's home or away kit.[11]
