Juventude

Esporte Clube Juventude, commonly known as Juventude, is a professional football club based in Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Founded on June 29, 1913, by 14 young men of Italian descent, the club's name, which translates to 'Youth', was chosen to represent the founders' age and enthusiasm for football.

Juventude's team colors are green and white, and their mascot is a papagaio, a type of parrot. The club's home ground is the Alfredo Jaconi stadium, named after one of the club's early presidents. The stadium, with a capacity of over 23,000, is a symbol of the club's history and growth over the years.

Juventude's journey in Brazilian football has been marked by ups and downs. They have spent time in all four tiers of Brazilian football, experiencing both relegation and promotion. Despite these fluctuations, Juventude has had notable successes. They won the Campeonato Gaúcho, the top-flight football league of Rio Grande do Sul state, in 1998 and 2001. Their most significant achievement came in 1999 when they won the Copa do Brasil, becoming the first and only club from Rio Grande do Sul to win the prestigious national cup competition.

Juventude's success in the 1999 Copa do Brasil granted them a spot in the Copa Libertadores, the most prestigious club competition in South American football, in 2000. Although they did not win the tournament, participating in such a high-level competition was a significant milestone in the club's history.

The club has also been a breeding ground for several notable players who have gone on to have successful careers both domestically and internationally. These include Matuzalém, who had a successful career in Europe, and Émerson, who represented Brazil in the 2006 World Cup.

Despite facing financial difficulties and relegation to the Serie D in 2016, Juventude showed resilience and determination. They worked their way back up, earning promotion to Serie C in 2017 and then to Serie B in 2019. In 2020, they secured promotion to Serie A, marking their return to the top tier of Brazilian football after a 13-year absence.

Juventude's history is a testament to their resilience and passion for football. Despite the challenges they have faced, they have remained a beloved and important part of their community in Caxias do Sul. Their journey, marked by both triumphs and setbacks, embodies the spirit of football and the enduring love for the sport in Brazil.