Focus on young talent
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VfB Stuttgart is entering into a partnership with the Brazilian first division club FC São Paulo, which was initiated and co-developed by ex-professional Cacau. The former DFB player was born not far from the metropolis. There should be close cooperation with joint activities and exchanges, especially in the youth sector. For example, the top talents should travel to Stuttgart at least twice a year and train with VfB. In return, the Swabians’ U19 and U17 will set up their training camp in São Paulo in the summer.
“We are pleased to have found an extremely renowned partner in São Paulo FC for an intercontinental partnership in talent development. For us, it’s about collaboration on equal terms in terms of content. Both sides can learn and benefit from each other, so that this cooperation can continue to grow in the future. Brazil is an important international target market for VfB and our partners from the region, into which we want to build bridges together,” said Rouven Kasper, Director of Marketing & Sales.
The six-time Brazilian champions have lost touch with top teams such as Palmeiras and Flamengo in the last decade. Most recently, FC São Paulo won the Série A three times in a row from 2006 to 2008. The club, which won the Copa Libertadores three times (1992, 1993, 2005) and the World Cup or the Club World Cup three times (1992, 1993, 2005), has been able to win the Copa do Brasil 2023 in the last ten years just celebrate a title.
In terms of transfer income, São Paulo FC can no longer keep up with the likes of Palmeiras, which has recently sold one top talent after the next for large sums to top European teams such as Real Madrid and Chelsea year after year. The SPFC, which once produced names like Cafu, Denilson, Júlio Baptista, Kaká, França, Breno or Marcelo Bordon, who moved to VfB at the beginning of 2000, has recorded Lucas Beraldo, Antony, Brenner, Gabriel Sara and Diego Costa in the last five years only five sales exceeded the 5 million euro mark.
“This partnership with Stuttgart is another important step for our entry into the European market and the internationalization of the brand. The development of our young people is anchored in our DNA and is fundamental to the future of São Paulo,” said club president Julio Casares. Douglas Schwartzmann, deputy director for youth football, added: “This exchange of information and the encounter with other cultures and football styles are very important for our foundation. It will undoubtedly be an enrichment for the players and will help them to develop in every way.”