Brazilian football is back. The 2025 season is barely over and the ball is already rolling in 2026 in São Paulo Junior Football Cup. Some teams also return to action after the turn of the year, such as São Paulo, under coach Hernán Crespo. The first Copinha matches take place this Friday. São Paulo defends last year’s title, beating Corinthians in the Pacaembu decision. Therefore, it is one of the favorites.
Some revelations da Copinha are no longer in Brazil. This is the case, for example, of striker Endrick, who was champion with Palmeiras in 2022. Or also of Palmeiras striker Estêvão, who stood out in the 2023 edition. The careers of these two boys were meteoric. Both were sold before turning 18. Endrick he went to Real Madrid, but is on loan at Lyon. AND Stephen signed a contract with Chelsea, who fired coach Enzo Maresca this Thursday.
Last year, the São Paulo it also revealed some good players, but most of them were sold in the same year because the club needed to make money quickly. Morumbi advisors complained to President Julio Casares about sales at below market values. The club got rid of five athletes per R$215 million.
Gui Negão
In this edition in which São Paulo won the cup, the Corinthians also revealed a good ball boy: the striker Gui Negão18 years old. He is already in Dorival Júnior’s team and did his job well when Yuri Alberto was unable to play due to injury. But Gui Negão is already one of the candidates to leave the club this summer or in the middle of the year. Reason? Need for money.
But it was in 2024 that Corinthians, champion of the Copinha for the 11th time, confirmed at the Copinha the discovery of one of their best players in the main squad. It is about Breno Bidoncurrently 20 years old and one of those responsible for winning the 2025 Copa do Brasil. Bidon is another player who can bring money to the club. Your termination fine is R$635 million for the European market.
Just over 3,200 athletes
Corinthians knows the need to Dorival having these two boys in the squad this season, but the coach also understands the club’s almost mandatory sale of them to pay the bills.
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But Copinha is much more than that, especially for the majority of its participants. In the edition that starts this Friday, with 128 times Divided into 32 groups, the desire to reveal a “little star” and negotiate it with one of the biggest clubs in Brazil still prevails. The competition brings together just over 3,200 boys. Everyone has the same dream: to get their footing right and succeed in their profession. The majority, however, know that they will fall by the wayside and return to their studies for another profession.
Champions and their revelations
2025: São Paulo (Champion)
Revelations/Highlights: Paulinho, Andrade and Gui Negão
2024: Corinthians (Champion)
Revelations/Highlights: Arthur Sousa, Breno Bidon and Kayke
2023: Palmeiras (Two-time champion)
Revelations/Highlights: Estêvão, Thalys and Kevin
2022: Palmeiras (Champion)
Revelations/Highlights: Endrick, Giovani and Vanderlan
2021: Not carried out (COVID-19 Pandemic).
2020: International (Champion)
Revelations/Highlights: Praxedes, Johnny and Carlos Eduardo
