Brazilian Football Clubs Intensify Investment in Youth Development Programs

Brazilian football clubs are significantly increasing their investment in youth training initiatives to discover and nurture young talent, responding to the high popularity of football among the nation’s youth. According to Datafolha, football is the favorite sport for 48% of young Brazilians aged 6 to 17, while a study by Instituto Movimento found that 38% of children’s sports enrollments are in football. Major clubs like Corinthians, Santos, São Paulo, Internacional, and Sport are expanding their grassroots and community programs. Notably, Sport’s partnership with Time Forte aims to launch 80 new schools, reserving 10% of places for low-income youths, emphasizing inclusivity and social impact. Fortaleza has opened 32 schools and plans to reach 100 within four years, currently serving around 3,300 students and producing 10 youth-category players. Internacional also collaborates with Time Forte to expand access to training. In São Paulo, Botafogo-SP’s "Celeiro de Campeões" project offers free football lessons to about 300 children, blending sports and education to promote social inclusion. These expanded programs are expected to enhance youth engagement, reduce dropout rates, and cultivate future football talent across Brazil.