Clube Náutico Capibaribe

Náutico
Full name	Clube Náutico Capibaribe
Nicknames	Timbu (White-eared opossum); Timbu Coroado (King Timbu); Alvirrubro (The Red & White); Hexacampeão (6-Time Champion); A Mais Fiel do Nordeste (The Northeast's Most Loyal)
Founded	7 April 1901; 124 years ago
Ground	Aflitos
Capacity	22,856
President	Bruno Becker
Head coach	Hélio dos Anjos
League	Campeonato Brasileiro Série B (2026); Pernambucano; Copa do Nordeste
2025	Série C, 3rd of 20 (2nd on quadrangular)
Website	nautico-pe.com.br
Home colors	Away colors
	Current season

Clube Náutico Capibaribe (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈklubi ˈnawtʃiku kɐpibɐˈɾibi]), or simply Náutico, is a Brazilian multi-sport club based in Recife, Pernambuco. The club is most notable for its association football team, that plays in the Série C, the third tier of the Brazilian football league system, as well as in the Campeonato Pernambucano, the top division in the Pernambucano state football league system.

The origins of Náutico may be traced to the foundation of the Clube Náutico do Recife by a group of rowers ("Náutico" can be directly translated to "nautical") in 1898, but the official founding date is 7 April 1901. Its first football team dates back to 1905, with a squad formed by Englishmen and Germans.

Náutico is the only football club in Pernambuco that has won the state championship 6 times in a row (from 1963 to 1968). The club has a historical rivalry with local clubs Sport Recife and Santa Cruz. In Pernambuco, it was the first club to achieve regional and national prominence, and today, at the state level, it is the club with the most members, according to public information available on its official website.^[1] It is recognized as the most prominent club from the Northeast region in regional and national competitions during the 1960s, being, moreover, the club from the region that reached the most Brazilian Championship semifinals in that decade. Since then, it has been regarded as one of the “giants” of Northeastern Brazil football, a title still used today by its fans and in advertising campaigns and media.^[2]^[3]

Náutico has an important swimming arena, including an Olympic-sized pool that meets all world standards. It also has activities in other sports including hockey, basketball, volleyball, handball, women's football, futsal, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Boxing, Taekwondo, kendo, Muay Thai, MMA and the founding sport of the club, rowing. The official mascot of Náutico is the opossum, known locally as the "timbu".

Náutico has the 6th-largest core of fans in the Northeastern region of Brazil, and occupies the 21st place in the overall Brazilian ranking. In total, there were approximately 1.5 million Náutico fans in 2010, as showed by a Lance magazine and IBOPE research.^{[citation needed]}

History

Foundation

Although the official founding date is 7 April 1901, the Clube Náutico Capibaribe had already been mentioned in the previous century, when two rival groups of rowers from Recife united. At the beginning, in 1897, a group of rowing enthusiasts led by the Portuguese João Victor da Cruz Alfarra rented boats from the old Lingueta, embarking on small excursions to the old Casa de Banhos in Pina. These trips extended as far as the neighborhood of Apipucos.

After the Canudos Revolt ended, Recife prepared to welcome the Pernambuco troops led by General Artur Costa. An extensive program was organized for the soldiers’ reception, and João Alfarra, along with some fellow rowers from the Capibaribe River, was tasked with organizing the nautical portion of the reception. A major regatta was scheduled for 21 November 1897.

This competition piqued the interest of the people of Recife, who felt the need to host more events of this kind. At the time, rowing was already a national sport and began to gain new followers. The following year, employees of warehouses on Duque de Caxias and Rangel streets formed an association named the Clube dos Pimpões. Members of the other group, which had excelled in the Canudos troops’ reception regatta, were inspired, and a series of races between the two groups took place in 1898 at the Casa de Banhos.

By the end of 1898, it was agreed to establish another society that would unite the two aforementioned groups: the Club Náutico do Recife. In 1899, its leaders decided to reorganize the club while maintaining a commitment to nautical sports. At that time, the club's name was changed to Recreio Fluvial, but the new name was not well received. As a result, in early 1901, the name by which the club is officially recognized today was decided: Clube Náutico Capibaribe

On 7 April 1901, João Alfarra called on all those connected to rowing to attend a ceremony in which the first meeting minutes of the club would be written and recorded—a date that would be officially recognized as the club's founding.

”On the seventh of April, nineteen hundred and one—1901—on the first floor, number one of the Pernambuco Company Wharf, by invitation of Mr. João Victor da Cruz Alfarra, the same and Messrs. Antonio Dias Ferreira, Esmeraldo Gusmão Wanderley, A. Ommundsen, Oswaldo de Barros Lins e Silva, Francisco Joaquim Ferreira, João Vieira de Magalhães, and Francisco Leandro Rocha attended. Mr. Antonio Dias Ferreira was acclaimed chairman of the meeting, took the chair, and declared the session open, appointing Mr. Piragibe Haghissé as First Secretary, Mr. Francisco Joaquim Ferreira as Second Secretary, and Mr. João Vieira Magalhães as Treasurer. Mr. João Alfarra, requesting the floor, explained the purpose of the meeting, which is the founding of a society for nautical activities under the name Clube Náutico Capibaribe. This idea was approved by all […] the society’s flag will have ten panels: the top and bottom red, the middle white with the letters C N C (the club’s initials) in blue. This will also serve as the distinctive flag for the club’s boats and members, displayed on the bow of the vessels as a small red jack with a white circle in the center containing a blue anchor and the club’s initials […]”^[4]

The historical document was signed by all present —Antonio Dias Ferreira, the meeting's chairman; Piragibe Haghissé, the secretary; and João Victor da Cruz Alfarra, the group leader and the originator of the idea. The first flag featured red, white, and blue, which is why Náutico still uses blue for the numbers on its jerseys today. Náutico's first uniform was blue and white to reflect its nautical roots, which served as the foundation of the club. However, red soon replaced blue and joined white, as red was already featured in the club's flag.

Stadium

Estádio dos Aflitos

The Estádio Eládio de Barros Carvalho, popularly known as the Estádio dos Aflitos due to its location in the Aflitos neighborhood, is the stadium used by Clube Náutico Capibaribe. Opened on 25 June 1939, the name honors Eládio de Barros Carvalho, the club's president for 14 terms. Náutico stopped using the stadium between June 2013 and December 2018, as they began holding games at Arena Pernambuco.

However, the partnership with Arena Pernambuco did not work out. The Odebrecht conglomerate (now known as Novonor), which managed the arena, failed to meet contractual obligations with Náutico, particularly in financial transfers, leading to a domino effect that resulted in poor on-field performances. During this period, there was also a loss of identity due to moving to the “new home,” which was over 15 km away from Aflitos and had limited public transportation access. All these factors led Náutico to file a lawsuit to terminate the contract unilaterally and demand millions in unpaid transfers, marking the end of the partnership.

In 2017, after strong support and mobilization by the alvirrubra fan base, extensive renovations began at Estádio dos Aflitos. A new field was laid, the old wire fence was replaced with glass, and the old seats were replaced with more modern ones. Structural upgrades included new emergency exits, improvements to the stadium's internal and external areas, new accommodations for players, fans, and the press, and improved lighting. However, capacity was reduced following an inspection by the Fire Department due to areas still needing renovations, especially with the addition of the new glass fence.^[5]

In December 2018, the stadium was reopened with a friendly match against Newell's Old Boys from Argentina. Náutico won the game by a score of 1–0, with the goal scored by the 17-year-old Thiago. Hours before the friendly with the Argentine team, another friendly match was held in the stadium as a tribute to forward Kuki, with the presence of former Náutico idols such as Geraldo, Beto Acosta, Netinho, Nilson, Nivaldo, Nildo, Batata, Muricy Ramalho, and Thiago Tubarão, among others.

• 1st game (25 June 1939): Náutico 5–2 Sport • 1st goal (25 June 1939): Wilson (Náutico) • Highest attendance (16 August 1970): Náutico 1–0 Santa Cruz (31,061 people) • Largest victory (1 July 1945): Náutico 21–3 Flamengo do Recife • Highest revenue (18 December 2018): R$1,576,220 – Náutico vs. Newell's Old Boys^[6] • Capacity: 22,856

Club Culture

Supporters

The Náutico fan base consists of just over 1 million supporters, with numerous passionate fans spread across the country and even abroad, especially in neighboring northeastern states like Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte, Ceará, Maranhão, and Alagoas.

The 2010 LANCE IBOPE survey, with a margin of error of only 1.1%, identified approximately 1 million Náutico fans in Brazil, with 885,432 in the Northeast Region and 765,234 in Pernambuco, with high representation among those with higher education.^[7]

The 2013 PLURI CONSULTORIA survey, with an error margin of just 0.68%—the lowest in such surveys—identified 1.2 million Náutico fans in Brazil, ranking it as the 18th largest fan base in Brazil and the fifth largest in the Northeast.^[8]

One proof of the importance of the fan base for the team is the 85% home match success rate in the 2006 Campeonato Brasileiro Série B—the best performance among the 20 teams—with 16 wins, two draws, and only one loss in the 19 home games, drawing an average of around 10,000 fans per match in that championship. This number rose to about 13,000 in the first division of the 2007 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. By 2009, Náutico had sold a total of 3,083,152 tickets for home games in first-division championships, ranking among the top 20 clubs in Brazil in ticket sales history.

It was among Náutico fans that one of Brazil's first barras was formed, called “Alma Alvirrubra”, or “White-and-red soul”. “Alma Alvirrubra” emerged during one of the most challenging times in the club's history, right after a loss in the last game of 2005, establishing it as a fan group born from hardship rather than fleeting enthusiasm.

In 2011, playing alongside their fans at Aflitos, Náutico achieved another record: they were the only club nationwide, across all divisions, not to lose a single home game in the Brazilian Championship. With 13 wins and 6 draws, the strong support of the alvirrubra fans was evident once again.

Its main organized fan group, the Torcida Jovem Fanáutico, is the oldest in Pernambuco, having been founded in 1984.

In 2020, a survey by the IBOPE highlighted fan loyalty in Brazil,^[9] with Náutico fans standing out as The Most Loyal in the Northeast at 73%, closely aligning with the major clubs in the country and far ahead of others. This is in contrast to other Northeast fan bases, which, like those in the North and Central-West regions, often include “mixed” fans (those who support both a local club and a larger club from the Southeast, or only one club from another region).^[10]

Rivalries

Clássico dos Clássicos (The Derby of the Derbies)

Náutico's greatest rivalry is with Sport Recife, and their derbies are known as the Clássico dos Clássicos ("The Derby of the Derbies", in Portuguese). Náutico competes with Sport in the oldest and most traditional derby of the North-Northeast region, being the third oldest in Brazil and also the one with the greatest rivalry and balance in Pernambuco: the Clássico dos Clássicos, also known as the Derby Pernambucano and once referred to by the national press as the Northeast Classic,(In the mid-20th century, the BA-VI derby had not yet been consolidated as the biggest rivalry in Bahia.)

The first great classic of the Northeast was also once called the Fla-Flu of the Northeast by the national press due to its relevance in the early second half of the 20th century. The first match between the two teams took place on 25 July 1909, the same year in which the Alvirrubro team took its first steps on the field, facing its first opponents, marking the first-ever victory for Náutico.^[11]

Clássico das Emoções (The Derby of the emotions)

Náutico's other local rival is Santa Cruz (1918). The rivalry between the two clubs is known as the Clássico das Emoções ("The Derby of the Emotions"). The first Derby took place on 29 June 1917, with Santa Cruz winning 3-0 in a charity tournament match held at the “Campo dos Aflitos,” which at the time belonged to the Liga Sportiva Pernambucana, now the FPF. This field would later become the Estádio dos Aflitos.^[12]

The 100th Pernambucan Championship also marked the 500th edition of this clássico, with Santa Cruz winning 5-3.^[13] In 1974, Santa Cruz attempted to win their sixth consecutive title but was stopped by Náutico, who became the Pernambucano champion.^[14] Náutico maintained their distinction as the only six-time consecutive champion of the tournament after defeating Santa Cruz in both matches of the final.

Despite being very traditional and having a rich history, the Clássico das Emoções has a lesser rivalry compared to the matches between Santa Cruz Futebol Clube and Sport Club do Recife, according to a fan opinion survey among Santa Cruz supporters. The same is said by Náutico fans, who prefer a classic matchup with Sport, as they have a greater rivalry with the rubro-negro team.^[15]

Timbu Coroado (Crowned Timbu)

Timbu Coroado is a traditional Brazilian Carnival block from Recife, founded in 1944, making it the first carnival bloco created by a football club in Pernambuco. An initiative of Clube Náutico Capibaribe, the bloco reflects the strong cultural identity of Pernambuco, blending rhythms such as frevo and maracatu and becoming one of the most traditional in Recife's carnival. Currently, it parades on Carnival Sunday through the streets of the Aflitos neighborhood, where Náutico’s social headquarters, the Palacete, is located.

The bloco is known for its irreverence and celebration of popular traditions, with its anthem composed by Nelson Ferreira, one of Pernambuco’s greatest musicians. The name "Timbu Coroado" is a reference to the white-eared opossum known in Pernambuco as Timbu, Náutico’s mascot and club symbol. Staying true to its pioneering spirit, Náutico was the first football club in Pernambuco to create its own carnival bloco, further strengthening its influence on local culture.

More than just a bloco, Timbu Coroado is an extension of Náutico’s history, bringing together fans and revelers in a vibrant celebration of Pernambuco’s roots.

National ranking

Position: 38th
Pontuation: 3.635 points

Every year CBF publish the Brazilian National Ranking on December. This ranking only includes National tournaments (it excludes State, Regional, and International tournaments) between 1959 and 2023 (since 2012, it has only accounted for the last 5 seasons).

Honours

Official tournaments

National
Competitions	Titles	Seasons
Campeonato Brasileiro Série C	1	2019
State
Competitions	Titles	Seasons
Campeonato Pernambucano	24	1934, 1939, 1945, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1960, 1963, 1964,1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1974, 1984, 1985, 1989, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2018, 2021, 2022
Copa Pernambuco	1	2011

Others tournaments

Regional and Inter-state

Torneio dos Campeões do Norte-Nordeste (1): 1952
Copa dos Campeões do Norte (1): 1966
Zona Norte-Nordeste da Taça Brasil (3): 1965, 1966, 1967

State

Torneio Início de Pernambuco (14): 1942, 1944, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980

Runners-up

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (1) 1967
Campeonato Brasileiro Série B (2): 1988, 2011
Campeonato Pernambucano (32): 1926, 1931, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1970, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2019, 2024
Copa Pernambuco (3): 2003, 2007, 2019

Women's Football

Campeonato Pernambucano de Futebol Feminino (4): 2005, 2006, 2020, 2021

Statistics

**Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A**
Year		1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979
Pos.		—	19th	34th	14th	13th	16th	51st	33rd	47th
Year	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989
Pos.	27th	15th	26th	13th	6th	20th	31st	13th *	—	13th
Year	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
Pos.	13th	14th	19th	18th	24th	—	—	—	—	—
Year	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Pos.	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	15th	16th	19th
Year	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
Pos.	—	—	12th	20th	—	—	—

*Yellow Mode of Copa União.

**Campeonato Brasileiro Série B**
Year		1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979
Pos.		18th	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Year	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989
Pos.	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2nd	—
Year	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
Pos.	—	—	—	—	—	19th	3rd	3rd	21st	—
Year	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Pos.	6th	5th	20th	7th	5th	3rd	3rd	—	—	—
Year	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2020
Pos.	13th	2nd	—	—	13th	5th	5th	20th	--	16th

**Taça Brasil and Torneio Roberto Gomes Pedrosa (1968)**
Year	1961	1964	1965	1966	1967	1968	1968
Pos.	4th	7th	3rd	3rd	2nd	4th(TB)	17th

**Copa Libertadores**
Year	1968
Pos.	17th

**Copa Sudamericana**
Year	2013
Pos.	22nd

**Copa do Brasil**
Year										1989
Pos.										14th
Year	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
Pos.	3rd	—	18th	—	9th	28th	—	—	—	—
Year	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Pos.	29th	44th	28th	—	14th	18th	13th	5th	10th	15th
Year	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016
Pos.	29th	13th	22nd	66th	32nd	25th	57th

Current squad

As of 3 September 2025

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	GK	BRA	Wellerson
2	DF	BRA	Arnaldo
3	DF	BRA	Rayan
4	DF	BRA	Alemão
5	MF	BRA	Igor Pereira
6	DF	BRA	Luiz Paulo
7	FW	BRA	Vinícius
8	MF	BRA	Marco Antônio
9	FW	BRA	Paulo Sérgio
10	MF	BRA	Lucas Cardoso (on loan from Cuiabá)
11	FW	BRA	Hélio Borges
12	FW	BRA	Kelvin
14	MF	BRA	Vitinho (on loan from Cruzeiro)
15	FW	BRA	Kayon
16	DF	BRA	Felipe Santana
17	DF	BRA	Marcos Ytalo
18	MF	BRA	Auremir
19	GK	BRA	Muriel (captain)


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
20	MF	BRA	Patrick Allan
21	MF	BRA	Felipe Redaelli
22	MF	BRA	Wenderson
23	DF	BRA	Igor Fernandes
25	DF	BRA	Mateus Silva (on loan from Ponte Preta)
26	DF	BRA	Raimar
27	FW	BRA	Kauan Maranhão
29	MF	BRA	Renato Alves
30	MF	BRA	Marco Antônio
33	DF	BRA	Carlinhos (on loan from Noroeste)
34	FW	NGA	Oluwasegun Otusanya (on loan from Criciúma)
35	FW	BRA	Thalissinho
38	FW	BRA	Léo Mago
39	MF	BRA	Dudu
40	DF	BRA	João Maistro
70	FW	BRA	Igor Bolt
80	FW	BRA	Bruno Mezenga
90	MF	BRA	Caio Vitor

Out on loan