On a historic night, São Paulo Futebol Clube experiences one of its biggest political upheavals. On Friday night (16), the Deliberative Council approved the impeachment of the president Julio Casaresresulting in his immediate removal from office. With this decision, whoever takes command of Tricolor is the first vice-president, Harry Massis Junior.
But who is the new president of São Paulo, even on an interim basis? Sporting News shows.
MORE: Was Casares impeached? Find out the results of the vote
Who is Harry Massis Junior?
At 80 years old, Massis assumes the presidency at a time of extreme institutional fragility. A businessman in the hotel sector and member of the club since 1964, he is a veteran figure behind the scenes at Morumbi, having held administrative positions in victorious administrations, such as the 1992 and 1993 World Cups.
At the associative level, Massis’ connection with Tricolor is deep and lasting. A member of the club since April 1964, he has covered almost all levels of the São Paulo political hierarchy. Before reaching the vice-presidency, he stood out in crucial moments: he was assistant administrative director during the second world championship in 1992 and 1993, part of the delegations that traveled to Japan, and he served as assistant director of football between 2001 and 2002.
A lifelong advisor and respected figure behind the scenes, Harry Massis Júnior has always been seen as an internal “diplomat”, capable of dialoguing with different wings of the council. However, his political life took a recent turn when he distanced himself from Julio Casares’ group to get closer to the Vanguarda movement, signaling his discontent with the administrative direction that led to the dismissal process.
Now, upon taking command, the octogenarian businessman exchanges the tranquility of his private business for the biggest challenge of his public life: stabilizing a century-old institution under the watchful eye of millions of fans.
Good luck to Harry Massis Junior, new president of São Paulo, 40th president since Paulistano
May he lead the club with dignity and wisdom this year, so that the team performs the best it can in a complicated year pic.twitter.com/aOmnM7Zt7B
— O Alvirrubro (@BuenoAlvirrubro) January 17, 2026
