20 years ago, on December 18, 2005, São Paulo contradicted the predictions and became the first – and to date the only Brazilian club – triple world champion, with a 1-0 victory over Liverpool, at the international stadium in Yokohama, Japan, thanks to midfielder Mineiro.
It was the second edition of the old Club World Cup, recently renamed by FIFA (International Football Federation) the Intercontinental Cup, and the first with the participation of the champions of the six regional confederations.
After winning the third Copa Libertadores that year against Athletico Paranaense – in the first Brazilian final of the tournament – São Paulo did not have a squad in 2005 of the same caliber as that of 1992 – with Raí – and 1993 – with Leonardo.
Under the command of Paulo Autuori, the main leader was the goalkeeper and captain Rogério Ceni, Zetti’s reserve in 1993 and consolidated for almost a decade as a starter in the tricolor goal.
While during the first two victories, in Tokyo, the Morumbi club only had to play one match for the title, against Barcelona and Milan, during its third participation, under the new format, in Yokohama, the debut took place in the semi-final, against Al Ittihad, the Asian champion.
“The first match was very important. Professor Paulo Autuori and Rogério, our boss, said that the main match was the first. We have to forget the final and think about the match against Liverpool only afterwards,” Fabão recalled to Leafformer defender who formed the defensive line alongside Lugano and Edcarlos.
With two goals from Amoroso and one from Rogério Ceni, from the penalty spot – the goalkeeper’s 21st of the season – São Paulo triumphed 3-2, thus securing a place in the final. The English team, in turn, beat the Costa Rican Deportivo Saprissa, champion of Concacaf (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Football Associations).
“We knew the responsibility we had in representing São Paulo. But, at the same time, the difficulties and, let’s say, the impossibilities of what revolved around it. Liverpool in a better moment and a much better team than ours. We were the outsiders,” said Cicinho, São Paulo’s right-back in the decision.
In the best season of his career, Cicinho scored ten goals and distributed 23 assists in 58 matches with São Paulo in 2005. The following year, he was sold to Real Madrid and called up by Carlos Alberto Parreira for the World Cup.
He recalls that the team that went to Japan had few players with international experience, only left back Júnior and striker Amoroso already had European experience.
“I admit that I felt more pressure during the Libertadores final than during the World Cup. In any case, in the World Cup, we don’t feel the pressure of having to win,” added the former full-back.
He pointed out that the team had used Liverpool’s “lack of respect” towards São Paulo as motivation. “In interviews, when asked about the players on our team, they said they didn’t know anyone. They looked down on us.”
“There were statements saying that they were going to ‘move’ to São Paulo. This gave them additional momentum,” Fabão argued.
The former defender also highlighted the importance of captain Rogério Ceni for this group of players. “Rogério was our great leader. He said that if we conceded the goal, we had to stay calm and look for a draw. And, if we did, come close, because the guys’ team was good. What Rogério told us at the briefing was practically everything that happened during the match.”
Cicinho recalled that before entering the field, the goalkeeper addressed each of the players to ask them for maximum commitment and tactical discipline. “I need this title. We need this title,” said the former full-back, remembering the captain’s words.
A Confederations Cup champion with the team in 2005, Cicinho said that, during the break, the team went to the locker room “in a big way”, after a consistent first half from the defensive system, and with Mineiro opening the scoring in the 27th minute, after a pass from Aloísio “Chulapa”. This goal ended Liverpool’s streak of more than 17 hours without conceding a goal.
“When the ball started rolling, after the initial pressure from Liverpool, we looked at each other like we were saying: ‘they’re not all that, let’s play and pass them’,” Fabão said.
But on the return in the second half, forced to reverse the score, Liverpool pulled out all the stops, in a duel between the attack of the English team and the French defense. “At the start of the second stage we saw that the guys were really different. And it was total suffering,” Cicinho said.
One of the most notable moves of the match, which became a tattoo for fans, was Rogério Ceni’s left-handed save from Steven Gerrard’s free kick in the corner early in the second half.
“He has a reputation as a goalscorer and goalscorer, but he is also one of the best goalkeepers I have ever seen,” a frustrated Gerrard said after the match of the current Bahia manager.
Fabão said the team performed perfectly from a tactical point of view, forming the offside line precisely to leave the attackers in an irregular position. Liverpool had two goals disallowed for offside in the second half.
“We could have played until now and we wouldn’t have conceded a goal from Liverpool.”
Cicinho said the friendship between the players was important to that year’s success, with the Paulista, Libertadores and World Cup titles. “It made a total difference to us in a brilliant year. This team had no vanity. The difference was the understanding everyone had of the greatness of São Paulo and their ability to represent the club.”
According to Cicinho, “98% of that team”, including himself, was made up of players who learned to love and became supporters of São Paulo.
“I come from São Paulo, I support the team and I have a name in history. It’s a great privilege,” he said. “If I had won ten Brasileiros, ten Paulistas or ten Copas do Brasil, and I had not won the Libertadores and the World Cup, I would not be as accomplished as I am today, because I know the identification that the fans have with these competitions.”
“The fans stopped the city, a crowd was waiting for us at the airport. It was priceless, it marked my life,” Fabão said.
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