20 years ago, on December 18, 2005, São Paulo contradicted the predictions and became the first — and to date only Brazilian club — three-time world champion, with a 1-0 victory over Liverpool, at the Yokohama International Stadium, in Japan, scored by midfielder Mineiro.
That was the second edition of the old Club World Cup, recently renamed by FIFA (International Football Federation) as the Intercontinental Cup, and the first with the participation of the champions of the six regional confederations.
Having won the third Copa Libertadores title that year over Athletico Paranaense —in the first Brazilian final of the tournament—, São Paulo in 2005 did not have a squad of the same caliber as the achievements of 1992 —with Raí— and 1993 —with Leonardo.
Under the command of Paulo Autuori, the main leader was goalkeeper and captain Rogério Ceni, Zetti’s reserve in 1993 and consolidated for almost a decade as a starter in the tricolor goal.
While in the first two victories, in Tokyo, the Morumbi club had to play just one game for the title, against Barcelona and Milan, in its third participation, under the new format, in Yokohama, the debut took place in the semi-finals, against Al Ittihad, the Asian champion.
“The first game was very important. Professor Paulo Autuori and Rogério, our boss, said that the main game is the first. For us to forget the final and think about the match against Liverpool only afterwards”, Fabão recalled to Sheetformer defender who formed the defense line alongside Lugano and Edcarlos.
With two goals from Amoroso and one from Rogério Ceni, from a penalty — the goalkeeper’s 21st of the season —, São Paulo triumphed 3-2, securing a place in the final. The English team, in turn, beat Costa Rican Deportivo Saprissa, champion of Concacaf (Confederation of Football Associations of North, Central America and the Caribbean).
“We knew the responsibility we carried for 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 underdogs”, 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 for 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 left for Japan had few players with international experience, with only left-back Júnior and striker Amoroso already having some European experience.
“I confess that I felt more pressure in the Libertadores final than in the World Cup. In the World Cup, we don’t experience the pressure of having to win anyway”, added the former full-back.
He pointed out that the team used Liverpool’s “disrespect” 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 some statements saying that they were going to ‘go over’ São Paulo. That gave them an extra boost”, endorsed Fabão.
The former defender also highlighted the importance of captain Rogério Ceni for that group of players. “Rogério was our great leader. He said that, if we conceded the goal, to remain calm and go in search of a draw. And, if we did, to close behind, because the guys’ team was good. What Rogério told us during the briefing was practically everything that happened during the game.”
Cicinho recalled that, before entering the field, the goalkeeper went to each of the players to ask for maximum commitment and tactical discipline. “I need this title. We need this title”, said the former full-back, remembering the captain’s words.
Champion of the Confederations Cup with the team in 2005, Cicinho stated that, during the break, the team went to the changing rooms “big”, after a consistent first half of the defensive system, and with Mineiro opening the score in the 27th minute, after a pass from Aloísio “Chulapa”. The goal ended Liverpool’s run of more than 17 hours without conceding a goal.
“When the ball started to roll, after Liverpool’s initial pressure, we looked at each other as if we were saying to each other: ‘they’re not all that, let’s play and get past them'”, said Fabão.
On the way back to the second half, however, needing to reverse the score, Liverpool went all out, in a duel between the English team’s attack and the Tricolor defense. “When the second stage started, we saw that the guys were really different. And it was total suffering,” said Cicinho.
One of the most striking moves of the game — which became a tattoo for fans — was Rogério Ceni’s left-hand save, after Steven Gerrard’s free kick in the corner, at the beginning of 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 about the now Bahia coach.
Fabão stated that the team performed perfectly from a tactical point of view, forming the offside line with precision to leave the attackers in an irregular position. Liverpool had two goals disallowed for offside in the second half.
“We could have been playing until now and we wouldn’t have conceded a goal from Liverpool.”
Cicinho said that the friendship between the players was important for the success that year, with the Paulista, Libertadores and World Cup titles. “That made a total difference in that brilliant year for us. That team had no vanity. The difference was the understanding that everyone had of São Paulo’s greatness and of being able to represent the club.”
According to Cicinho, “98% of that team”, including himself, was made up of players who learned to love and became São Paulo fans.
“I’m 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 hadn’t won the Libertadores and the World Cup, I wouldn’t 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 waiting for us at the airport. That was priceless, it left a mark on my life,” said Fabão.
