Cruzeiro Esporte Clube

Cruzeiro's history is traced back to the Italian community living in Belo Horizonte, a city where already some Italian immigrants lived{{cite web | url = http://www.trentini.com.br/?pagina=conteudo&unidade=11&idioma=port&id=519 | title = História da emigração em Minas Gerais. | publisher = Federação dos Círculos Trentinos do Brasil | access-date = 2007-08-14 | language = pt | archive-date = 3 January 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090103145246/http://www.trentini.com.br/?pagina=conteudo&unidade=11&idioma=port&id=519 | url-status = live }} and their desire to set up a football club. Similar to the Italians of São Paulo (who founded Palestra Itália, now known as Palmeiras) the people of Belo Horizonte wanted the Italian colonies in Minas Gerais to have its own club as well.

In the sporting goods and footwear Augustine Ranieri's factory, located on the street of Caetés, it was decided the foundation of the club should tackle the three major capital: Atlético Mineiro, America-MG and Yale. Was born at that moment, the Società Sportiva Palestra Italia, established on 2 January 1921.{{cite web | url = http://www.cruzeiropedia.org/Hist%C3%B3ria_do_Cruzeiro_Esporte_Clube | title = História do Cruzeiro Esporte Clube | publisher = Cruzeiropédia | access-date = 2015-10-03 | language = pt | archive-date = 4 October 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151004163540/http://www.cruzeiropedia.org/Hist%C3%B3ria_do_Cruzeiro_Esporte_Clube | url-status = live }}

The meeting was attended by 95 founders present the shield and uniform that made reference to the Italian colors, and whose SSPI description would be recorded in the center shell. Another decision was that only members of the Italian colony could wear the shirt. Aurelio Noce was elected the first President.

The Palestra Italia emerged as the representative of the Italian colony. And is characterized as a team of Italian descent, Palestra also stood out by having elements of the Belo Horizonte working class, unlike Atlético and América, who had their consisting squad of college students coming from influential and wealthy families of the city.

File:Cruzeiro v Flamengo 1923.jpg in 1923]]

The idea of the club being created took a big step when Yale, a sports team from the city, went through an administrative crisis. When some players left Yale over a dispute (Yale, which itself had connections to the Italian community), some went on to found the all Italian, Sociedade Esportiva Palestra Itália of Belo Horizonte.{{cite web|url=http://jbonline.terra.com.br/destaques/2005/brasileiro/cruzeiro.html |title=Cruzeiro esporte clube |publisher=JB Online |access-date=2007-08-15 |language=pt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051103113058/http://jbonline.terra.com.br/destaques/2005/brasileiro/cruzeiro.html |archive-date=3 November 2005 }}{{cite web | url = http://www.abacaxiatomico.com.br/esporteesportivo/fec/29.htm | title = ESPECIAL: os 100 anos do futebol em Belo Horizonte | publisher = Esporte Esportivo | access-date = 2007-08-14 | language = pt | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050410224332/http://www.abacaxiatomico.com.br/esporteesportivo/fec/29.htm | archive-date = 10 April 2005 | url-status = dead}} Until 1925 the club would only allow Italian men to participate, despite other teams in the nation accepting people of all skin colors and ethnicities.{{cite web | url = http://cruzeiro.globo.com/?section=historia_fundacao | title = História do Club | publisher = Cruzeiro Esporte Clube | access-date = 2007-08-14 | language = pt | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070831034813/http://cruzeiro.globo.com/?section=historia_fundacao | archive-date = 31 August 2007 | url-status = dead}}

Palestra debuted in the Prado Mineiro Stadium with a 2–0 win in a friendly on 3 April 1921, against a combination from Nova Lima. The Nova Lima team united players from two teams from the city: Villa Nova, and Palmeiras, another team form Nova Lima.{{cite web | url = http://www.gazetaesportiva.net/historia/seculo/futebol/fut_cruzeiro.htm | title = Duas vezes os reis da América | publisher = GazetaEsportiva.net | access-date = 2007-08-16 | language = pt |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070806040834/http://www.gazetaesportiva.net/historia/seculo/futebol/fut_cruzeiro.htm |archive-date = 2007-08-06}} However, the first official match of Palestra was in a 3–0 win over future archrivals Clube Atlético Mineiro.{{cite web | url = http://china.goal.com/br/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=331361 | title = Atlético tem ampla vantagem em clássicos pelo Brasileiro | publisher = Goal.com | access-date = 2007-08-17 | language = pt}}{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}Carvalho, Sérgio (23 October 1981). [https://books.google.com/books?id=vVSanqz-W_4C&pg=PA60 "O Derby Mineiro" [The Derby Mineiro]]. Placar (in Portuguese) (597). Abril. pp. 59–60. Retrieved 12 October 2015 – via Google Books. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220002325/https://books.google.com/books?id=vVSanqz-W_4C&pg=PA60#v=onepage&q&f=false |date=20 December 2023 }}

In January 1942, Brazil entered World War II{{cite web | url = http://www.tau.ac.il/eial/VI_2/mccann.htm | title = Brazil and World War II: The Forgotten Ally. What did you do in the war, Zé Carioca? | last = D. McCann | first = Frank | publisher = Estudios Interdisciplinarios de América Latina y el Caribe (Tel Aviv University) | access-date = 2007-08-17 | archive-date = 15 February 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150215121305/http://www.tau.ac.il/eial/VI_2/mccann.htm | url-status = live }} and a decree of the federal government forbade the use of terms from enemy nations in entities, institutions, establishments, etc. With this, the Italian name was removed and the club could no longer call themselves Palestra Italia. The name was changed to Sociedade Esportiva Palestra Mineiro.

Around six months later, the president Ennes Cyro Poni called a general assembly for 7 October and suggested the name Ypiranga. Between 3 and 7 October, the local media published the new name thinking it would be approved. In assembly, the counselors and associates kept professional system and approved changing club's name and colors. Yale and Ypiranga were suggested, but Cruzeiro Esporte Clube was chosen to honor the biggest symbol of Brazil, the constellation of Crux. The idea was from Oswaldo Pinto Coelho. However, the club kept playing as "Palestra Mineiro" until 1943, when the local Federation approved the new statutes.{{cite web | url = http://www.cruzeiropedia.org/Sociedade_Esportiva_Palestra_It%C3%A1lia | title = Sociedade Esportiva Palestra Itália | publisher = Cruzeiropédia | access-date = 2015-10-03 | language = pt | archive-date = 4 October 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151004162610/http://www.cruzeiropedia.org/Sociedade_Esportiva_Palestra_It%C3%A1lia | url-status = live }} The approved colors were blue and white, chosen as a compromise to appease the Italian factions within the club management, as it was both representative of the Brazilian flag and the Italian football national team (blue is the color of House of Savoy, who ruled Italy from 1861 to 1946).{{cite web | url = http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/times/cruzeiro/noticia/2012/10/ex-palestra-italia-cruzeiro-festeja-os-70-anos-da-nova-identidade.html | title = Ex-Palestra Itália, Cruzeiro festeja os 70 anos da nova identidade | publisher = GloboEsporte | access-date = 2012-07-10 | language = pt | archive-date = 2 October 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171002220157/http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/times/cruzeiro/noticia/2012/10/ex-palestra-italia-cruzeiro-festeja-os-70-anos-da-nova-identidade.html | url-status = live }}

With the inauguration of the Mineirão in 1965, Cruzeiro entered one of the most successful periods in its history, in which the club won five Campeonato Mineiro titles in a row, and went on to win its first national title, the 1966 Taça Brasil (the highest honor in Brazilian football at that time) beating Santos of Pelé in the final. Cruzeiro won the first leg 6–2 at the Mineirão, and the second leg 3–2 in São Paulo.{{cite web | url = http://www.mafiaazul.com.br/interna.asp?codTexto=8 | title = HISTÓRIA | publisher = Máfia Azul | access-date = 2007-08-18 | language = pt | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061025205617/http://www.mafiaazul.com.br/interna.asp?codTexto=8 | archive-date = 25 October 2006 | url-status = dead}}{{cite web | url = http://www.cruzeiroec.com.br/1/clube/index.php3?pagina=historia | title = O Palestra Itália | publisher = Cruzeiro Esporte Clube | access-date = 2007-12-14 | language = pt | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070814023014/http://www.cruzeiroec.com.br/1/clube/index.php3?pagina=historia | archive-date = 14 August 2007 | url-status = dead}} In the 1974 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Cruzeiro were runner-up for the first time, after losing to Vasco in the finals. Later in 1975, Cruzeiro were runner-up in the Campeonato Brasileiro again, this time losing to Internacional. In 1976, Cruzeiro won its first Copa Libertadores de América, over River Plate of Argentina. Cruzeiro went on to be runners-up of the same competition in 1977, being defeated in the finals by Boca Juniors, also of Argentina. After winning the 1976 Copa Libertadores, they participated in the 1976 Intercontinental Cup, now renamed the FIFA Club World Championship, for the first time and tied Bayern Munich 0–0 at the Mineirão, but lost 2–0 to Bayern in the Olympiastadion.

File:Time do Cruzeiro, 1971.tif]]

After tasting success in the 1960s and 1970s, Cruzeiro entered a dark period in the 1980s. With the exception of a couple of Campeonato Mineiro wins, the club won no other championships in the 1980s, and had its worst performances in the Campeonato Brasileiro, 33rd in 1984 and 29th in 1985.{{cite web | url = http://paginas.terra.com.br/esporte/rsssfbrasil/historical.htm#brasileiro | title = Campeonato Brasileiro (Brazilian Championship) | publisher = RSSSF | access-date = 2007-12-24 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071013195139/http://paginas.terra.com.br/esporte/rsssfbrasil/historical.htm#brasileiro |archive-date = 2007-10-13}} The 1980s was the only decade Cruzeiro did not participate once in the Copa Libertadores since the tournament's creation in 1960.{{cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/sacups/copalib.html | title = Copa Libertadores de América | website = RSSSF | access-date = 2007-12-24 | archive-date = 24 May 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150524152408/http://www.rsssf.com/sacups/copalib.html | url-status = live }} The club were invited to Europe in 1988 by Scottish side Celtic to play a friendly as part of the Glasgow club's centenary celebrations.{{cite news|last1=Davidson|first1=Alan|title=Celtic find right blend|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mddAAAAAIBAJ&pg=5822%2C1887227|access-date=7 July 2015|work=Evening Times|date=8 August 1988|page=31|archive-date=16 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316180439/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mddAAAAAIBAJ&pg=5822,1887227|url-status=live}}

In the 1990s a new era began, and a 15-year sequence of at least one title per year was initiated. This included six of the club's seven international championships and a Campeonato Brasileiro (2003). In December 2010 the CBF (the governing body of Brazilian football) also recognized Cruzeiro as Brazilian champion of 1966, for having beaten Santos of Pelé: 6–2 in Belo Horizonte and 2–3 in São Paulo.{{cite web | url = http://www.cruzeiro.com.br/?section=historia_titulospro&idm=3 | title = Títulos | publisher = Cruzeiro Esporte Clube | access-date = 2008-01-05 | language = pt | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071219210122/http://www.cruzeiro.com.br/?section=historia_titulospro&idm=3 | archive-date = 19 December 2007 | url-status = dead}} The club's biggest exploit in the 21st century happened when it won the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. With 100 points earned during the season, and just over 100 goals scored in 46 matches, it was one of the most successful campaigns ever by a club in a Brazilian championship. In 2003, besides winning the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Cruzeiro also won the Copa do Brasil and the Campeonato Mineiro, to become the only Brazilian team to win the triple crown.{{cite web | url = http://www.gazetaesportiva.net/reportagem/futebol/rep282.htm | title = Cruzeiro é o campeão brasileiro de 2003 | publisher = Gazet | access-date = 2008-01-17 | language = pt |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071105031839/http://www.gazetaesportiva.net/reportagem/futebol/rep282.htm |archive-date = 2007-11-05}}

From 2003 to 2012 Cruzeiro have only won one major tournament (four times): the Campeonato Mineiro (2004, 2006, 2008, 2009). However, the club finished in the top five of the Campeonato Brasileiro in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, guaranteeing a spot in the Copa Libertadores for four consecutive years (2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011). In 2010, after a great campaign in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, Cruzeiro took the second place and qualified for the Copa Libertadores da America for 2011. Cruzeiro's biggest success in recent years was reaching the finals of the 2009 Copa Libertadores, but they lost to Estudiantes de La Plata 2–1.{{cite web | url = http://oglobo.globo.com/esportes/mat/2009/07/15/libertadores-cruzeiro-perde-para-estudiantes-756839077.asp | title = Libertadores: Cruzeiro perde para Estudiantes | publisher = O Globo | access-date = 2010-08-03 | language = pt | archive-date = 21 July 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090721011656/http://oglobo.globo.com/esportes/mat/2009/07/15/libertadores-cruzeiro-perde-para-estudiantes-756839077.asp | url-status = live }} After a disastrous 2011 season, escaping relegation only in the last round after a triumphant 6–1{{cite web | url = http://globoesporte.globo.com/jogo/brasileirao2011/04-12-2011/cruzeiro-atletico-mg.html | title = Goleada de 6 a 1 sobre o Atlético Mineiro mantém Cruzeiro na Primeira Divisão | publisher = Globo Esporte.com | access-date = 2013-12-04 | language = pt | archive-date = 15 March 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140315085516/http://globoesporte.globo.com/jogo/brasileirao2011/04-12-2011/cruzeiro-atletico-mg.html | url-status = live }} against arch-rival Atlético, Gilvan Tavares became president for the 2012-2013-2014 triennium. 2012 was slightly better than 2011, but still Cruzeiro won no titles. In 2013 Cruzeiro lost Campeonato Mineiro again, despite displaying a good game against smaller clubs. Copa do Brasil started promising but Cruzeiro was knocked out by future champion Flamengo in the quarterfinals. After the elimination Cruzeiro went all in to Campeonato Brasileiro and was crowned champion for the third time, this time four rounds before the championship ended, playing an offensive and intense game that led many, including press{{cite web | url = http://impedimento.org/o-campeao-que-fugiu-do-obvio/ | title = O campeão que fugiu do óbvio | publisher = Impedimento | access-date = 2013-12-04 | language = pt | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131114222318/http://impedimento.org/o-campeao-que-fugiu-do-obvio/ | archive-date = 14 November 2013 | url-status = dead}} and runners-up,{{cite web | url = http://www.superesportes.com.br/app/1,10/2013/11/11/noticia_cruzeiro,268305/ | title = Renato Gaúcho exalta Cruzeiro: "Já é o campeão brasileiro há muito tempo" | date = 11 November 2013 | publisher = Super Esportes | access-date = 2013-12-04 | language = pt | archive-date = 3 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225515/http://www.superesportes.com.br/app/1,10/2013/11/11/noticia_cruzeiro,268305/ | url-status = live }} to attribute the title many rounds before the mathematical confirmation. Cruzeiro's 2014 season was even more successful. It started with Cruzeiro winning the Campeonato Mineiro without losing a single match in the whole competition. In the Copa Libertadores da America, Cruzeiro was knocked out, in the quarter finals, by future champion San Lorenzo de Almagro, being the last remaining Brazilian team in the competition. This loss did not prevent Cruzeiro to lead the Campeonato Brasileiro for almost the whole competition, being crowned champion for the fourth time and becoming the second team not from Rio de Janeiro nor Sao Paulo to win the Campeonato Brasileiro twice in a row. Cruzeiro also got to the final of the Copa do Brasil, but lost both matches to rival Atlético Mineiro.

In April 2024, three years after having acquired it for R$ 400 million, the businessman and former football player Ronaldo sold the team's SAF to businessman Pedro Lourenço for R$ 500 million.{{Cite web|url=https://noataque.com.br/futebol/time/cruzeiro/noticia/2024/12/18/venda-da-saf-do-cruzeiro-para-ronaldo-completa-tres-anos-veja-retrospecto/|title=Venda da SAF do Cruzeiro para Ronaldo completa três anos; veja retrospecto|work=No Ataque|access-date=2024-12-27|language=pt-BR}}

File:Escudo PI 1921.png

When Cruzeiro was still known as Palestra Italia, the home shirt colour was green. The first home kit was an improvised dark green shirt, with white shorts and green stockings. Cruzeiro used this kit in their first professional game on 3 April 1921, in the Prado Mineiro Stadium, with a 2–0 win over the Villa Nova/Palmeiras combined team, of Nova Lima.{{cite web | url = http://www.cruzeiro.com.br/index2.php?section=historia_uniformes&idm=2 | title = História 1921 | publisher = Cruzeiro Esporte Clube | access-date = 2008-07-26 | language = pt | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091007062330/http://www.cruzeiro.com.br/index2.php?section=historia_uniformes&idm=2 | archive-date = 7 October 2009 | url-status = dead}} In 1928 the shirt became a lighter tone of green, with a white neck design and red cuffs. The shorts continued to be white, but the green stockings now had red and white details, similar to that of the Italian flag. This particular uniform was used up until 1940. The light green color of the shirt would later give the team the nickname "periquito", Portuguese for parakeet. In 1940 there was a big change to the shirt. The shirt began to feature horizontal stripes, with the club crest in the center. This was the shirt used to win the 1940 Campeonato da Cidade – now known as the Campeonto Mineiro – after the club had been unable to win the tournament for ten years. The club also began to be called "tricolor" instead of "periquito".

In 1942 Cruzeiro played one game under the name Ypiranga, and for this game a blue shirt with a central horizontal stripe was used. In 1943 Cruzeiro played its first game under its current name. The shirt used then was an all blue shirt with a large white v-neck (scapular) design. The shorts and stockings were white. In 1950, due to bad stadium lighting, Cruzeiro began to use an all-white shirt during night games. The shirt, which featured blue details and blue shorts and white stockings, was used for nine years. In 1956, Cruzeiro used, for a short while, a new shirt that was made up of white and blue horizontal stripes. The uniform was not used in many games. There was a change to the shirt in 1959; the shirt became all blue, a design that would influence later shirts. In the 1959 shirt, instead of using its normal crest Cruzeiro simply used the five stars, in the crest, loose on the shirt. The shirt made its debut in the Estádio dos Tecelões, in a friendly match against Renascença, on 19 September.

In 1984 Cruzeiro had the first ever company logo on its shirt; it was the shirt manufacturer's logo, which was Topper. In the same year Cruzeiro had its first shirt sponsor, Medradao. Medradao was only used on the away shirts

File:Southern cross appearing on a number of flags.PNG

The first Palestra Itália crest was a rhombus whose top half was red and bottom half was green (both colors of the Italian flag). In the center of the crest was a white circle with the letters P and I inside it.{{cite web | url = http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/noticia/2010/06/ibope-aponta-flamengo-como-maior-torcida-e-sport-em-ascensao.html | title = Ibope aponta Flamengo como maior torcida e Sport em ascensão | date = June 2010 | publisher = Globo Esporte | access-date = 2010-06-01 | language = pt | archive-date = 14 April 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130414032151/http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/noticia/2010/06/ibope-aponta-flamengo-como-maior-torcida-e-sport-em-ascensao.html | url-status = live }} The following year, 1922, the club's crest maintained its rhombus shape, but was now completely white, with the letter P, S and I, inscribed within it in green. In 1923, the crest lost its rhombus shape and instead just had the green letters S, P and I. From 1928 to 1939 the crest was identical to the first crest in 1921. Just one year later the crest became a little different: the top half was green and the bottom half was red, similar to the crests from 1921 and 1929–1939, but instead of green letters in its center, it now had the letters S, P and I in yellow.

File:TorcidaMafiaAzul.jpg

File:Escudo Cruzeiro BH 1950.png

The crest introduced in 1940 would be the last for Palestra, because the club would soon become Cruzeiro. Cruzeiro's first crest was introduced in 1950 and was very simple: a blue circle, with a white border, inside of which were five white stars, positioned to look like the Southern Cross. This first crest was used for over nine years, until 1959. In 1959 the crest changed, now with a white border around the crest with the words "-CRUZEIRO ESPORTE CLUBE-BELO HORIZONTE" in blue. This version of the crest was used until 1996, making it the longest-used crest by Cruzeiro. In the same year, Cruzeiro removed BELO HORIZONTE from the crest; this format was used until 2005. In 2006 to honor its successful 2003 season, a crown was added on top of the crest, to symbolize the triple crown.

Cruzeiro has not always used its official crest on its shirt. In 1959, instead of using its crest, the club opted to simply put the five stars from the Southern Cross on its shirt. This was done until 2000, when the actual crest was again used. In 2002 and in part of 2003 the loose stars were used. Part way through 2003 a new shirt that contained the actual crest was introduced, but instead of just using the regular crest the shirt featured two Copa Libertadores trophies on top of the crest. In 2004 a similar design was used, but now featured a crown, symbolic of the Triple Crown on top of the two trophies. Since 2007 the club has used the "loose stars" design on home shirts. None of these designs actually became the official club crest.

{{See also|Jadir Ambrósio}}

The club's anthem, Hino ao Campeão, was written by Jadir Ambrósio in 1966, in homage to the team of his heart. He never meant for it to become the official anthem, but when fans started hearing it they liked it enough to adapt it as the new anthem.

Cartoonist Fernando Pieruccetti, more popularly known as "Mangabeira", created the club's mascot, a raposa (Portuguese for fox) in the 1940s, as he did for other football clubs from Minas Gerais state league.{{cite web | url = http://www.superesportes.com.br/app/1,168/2015/06/02/noticia_futebol_nacional,311311/galo-raposa-e-coelho-70-anos-da-criacao-das-mascotes-dos-tradicionais-clubes-mineiros.shtml | title = Galo, Raposa e Coelho: 70 anos da criação das mascotes dos tradicionais clubes mineiros | date = 2 June 2015 | publisher = SuperEsportes, Estado de Minas | access-date = 2015-06-02 | language = pt | archive-date = 2 October 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171002215414/http://www.superesportes.com.br/app/1,168/2015/06/02/noticia_futebol_nacional,311311/galo-raposa-e-coelho-70-anos-da-criacao-das-mascotes-dos-tradicionais-clubes-mineiros.shtml | url-status = live }} Mangabeira took inspiration from the club's ex-president, Mario Grosso. "He was a director who let no one trick him. He was sly, agile, intelligent and skillful like a fox."{{cite web | url = http://www.orlsport-cruzeiroec.com.br/curiosidades.asp | title = Nossas Curiosidades | publisher = ORL Sport | access-date = 2010-08-10 | language = pt | archive-date = 6 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110706153818/http://www.orlsport-cruzeiroec.com.br/curiosidades.asp | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url = http://www.pacc.ufrj.br/z/ano6/1/marcelino.php | title = A cidade dividida nas charges de Mangabeira | publisher = Revista Z Cultural | access-date = 2010-08-10 | language = pt | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110706162254/http://www.pacc.ufrj.br/z/ano6/1/marcelino.php | archive-date = 6 July 2011 | url-status = dead}} In the 2000s, Cruzeiro has made the Raposão (Big Fox) its biggest mascot, appearing at all home games and cheering with the crowd while wearing the club's colors.

In 2010, Raposão won Rede Globo's Competição de Mascotes (Mascot Competition), held in their Sunday sports show Esporte Espetacular. The program united 20 mascots from the biggest Brazilian teams and had them competing in series of challenges. Raposão won all of the events and was crowned as Brazil's Best Mascot.

In 2010, Cruzeiro introduced a "junior mascot", named "Raposinho" (Little Fox), a smaller version of "Raposão".

{{colbegin|colwidth=23em}}

• Aurélio Noce (1921–22)
• Alberto Noce (1923–24)
• Américo Gasparini (1925–26; 1928)
• Antonio Falci (1927; 1929–30)
• Braz Pelegrino (1927–28)
• Lidio Lunardi (1931–32)
• José Viana de Souza (1933)
• Miguel Perrela (1933–1936)
• Romeo de Paoli (1936)
• Osvaldo Pinto Coelho (1936–1940)
• Ennes Cyro Poni (1941–42)
• João Fantoni (1942)
• Wilson Saliba (1942)
• Mario Torneli (1942)
• Mário Grosso (1942–1947)
• Fernando Tamietti (1947; 1950)
• Antônio Cunha Lobo (1947–1949)
• Antônio Alves Simões (1949)
• Manoel F. Campos (1950)
• Divino Ramos (1951)
• José Greco (1952–53; 1955)
• Wellington Armanelli (1954)
• José Francisco Lemos Filho (1954)
• Eduardo S. Bambirra (1955–56)
• Manoel A. de Carvalho (1957–58)
• Antonio Braz Lopes Pontes (1959–60)
• Felicio Brandi (1961–1982)
• Carmine Furletti (1983–84)
• Benito Masci (1985–1990)
• Salvador Masci (1990)
• César Masci (1991–1994)
• Zezé Perrella (1995–2002)
• Alvimar de Oliveira Costa (2003–2008)
• Zezé Perrella (2009–2011)
• Gilvan Tavares (2012–2017)
• Wagner Pires de Sá (2018–19)
• José Dalai Rocha (2019–20)
• Sérgio Santos Rodrigues (2020–2023)
• Lidson Potsch (2024–present)

{{colend}}

{{updated|1 June 2025}} {{cite web |title=Elenco Masculino |url=https://www.cruzeiro.com.br/paginas/elenco |publisher=Cruzeiro Esporte Clube |access-date=1 June 2025}}

{{Fs start}}

{{Fs player|no=1|nat=Brazil|pos=GK|name=Cássio}}

{{Fs player|no=5|nat=Brazil|pos=MF|name=Walace}}

{{Fs player|no=6|nat=Brazil|pos=DF|name=Kaiki Bruno}}

{{Fs player|no=7|nat=Brazil|pos=FW|name=Marquinhos|other=on loan from Arsenal}}

{{Fs player|no=8|nat=Brazil|pos=MF|name=Matheus Henrique}}

{{Fs player|no=9|nat=Brazil|pos=FW|name=Gabriel Barbosa}}

{{Fs player|no=10|nat=Brazil|pos=MF|name=Matheus Pereira}}

{{Fs player|no=11|nat=DR Congo|pos=FW|name=Yannick Bolasie}}

{{Fs player|no=12|nat=Brazil|pos=DF|name=William}}

{{Fs player|no=14|nat=Paraguay|pos=DF|name=Mateo Gamarra|other=on loan from Athletico}}

{{Fs player|no=15|nat=Brazil|pos=DF|name=Fabrício Bruno}}

{{Fs player|no=16|nat=Brazil|pos=MF|name=Lucas Silva}}

{{Fs player|no=19|nat=Brazil|pos=FW|name=Kaio Jorge}}

{{Fs player|no=21|nat=Brazil|pos=MF|name=Eduardo}}

{{fs mid}}

{{Fs player|no=23|nat=Brazil|pos=DF|name=Fagner|other=on loan from Corinthians}}

{{Fs player|no=25|nat=Argentina|pos=DF|name=Lucas Villalba}}

{{Fs player|no=26|nat=Argentina|pos=FW|name=Lautaro Díaz}}

{{Fs player|no=29|nat=Argentina|pos=MF|name=Lucas Romero}}

{{Fs player|no=34|nat=Brazil|pos=DF|name=Jonathan Jesus}}

{{Fs player|no=41|nat=Brazil|pos=GK|name=Léo Aragão}}

{{Fs player|no=43|nat=Brazil|pos=DF|name=João Marcelo}}

{{Fs player|no=75|nat=Brazil|pos=MF|name=Rodriguinho}}

{{Fs player|no=77|nat=Brazil|pos=MF|name=Japa}}

{{Fs player|no=81|nat=Brazil|pos=GK|name=Otávio}}

{{Fs player|no=88|nat=Brazil|pos=MF|name=Christian}}

{{Fs player|no=94|nat=Belgium|pos=FW|name=Wanderson}}

{{Fs player|no=99|nat=Argentina|pos=FW|name=Juan Dinenno}}

{{Fs end}}

{{Fs start}}

{{Fs player|no=24|nat=Brazil|pos=GK|name=Marcelo}}

{{Fs player|no=32|nat=Brazil|pos=DF|name=Janderson}}

{{Fs player|no=35|nat=Brazil|pos=MF|name=Murilo Rhikman}}

{{Fs player|no=36|nat=Brazil|pos=DF|name=Kauã Prates}}

{{Fs player|no=39|nat=Brazil|pos=FW|name=Ruan Índio}}

{{Fs mid}}

{{Fs player|no=42|nat=Brazil|pos=MF|name=Nicolas Pontes}}

{{Fs player|no=44|nat=Brazil|pos=DF|name=Bruno Alves}}

{{Fs player|no=51|nat=Brazil|pos=GK|name=Vitor Lamounier}}

{{Fs player|no=70|nat=Brazil|pos=FW|name=Kaique Kenji}}

{{Fs end}}

{{Fs start}}

{{Fs player|no=|nat=Colombia|pos=DF|name=Helibelton Palacios|other=at Millonarios until 31 December 2025}}

{{Fs player|no=|nat=Brazil|pos=DF|name=Marlon|other=at Grêmio until 31 December 2025}}

{{Fs player|no=|nat=Brazil|pos=DF|name=Pedrão|other=at Avaí until 22 November 2025}}

{{Fs player|no=|nat=Brazil|pos=DF|name=Weverton|other=at Vila Nova until 22 November 2025}}

{{Fs player|no=|nat=Brazil|pos=DF|name=Zé Ivaldo|other=at Santos until 31 December 2025}}

{{Fs player|no=|nat=Brazil|pos=MF|name=Fernando Henrique|other=at CRB until 22 November 2025}}

{{Fs player|no=|nat=Brazil|pos=MF|name=Ian Luccas|other=at Ferroviária until 22 November 2025}}

{{fs mid}}

{{Fs player|no=|nat=Brazil|pos=MF|name=Jhosefer|other=at América-MG until 22 November 2025}}

{{Fs player|no=|nat=Paraguay|pos=MF|name=Fabrizio Peralta|other=at Athletico until 22 November 2025}}

{{Fs player|no=|nat=Brazil|pos=MF|name=Vitinho|other=at Goiás until 22 November 2025}}

{{Fs player|no=|nat=Brazil|pos=FW|name=Arthur Viana|other=at Ehime FC until 31 December 2025}}

{{Fs player|no=|nat=Brazil|pos=FW|name=Gui Meira|other=at Aparecidense until 28 September 2025}}

{{Fs player|no=|nat=Brazil|pos=FW|name=João Pedro|other=at Tombense until 26 October 2025}}

{{Fs player|no=|nat=Brazil|pos=FW|name=Tevis|other=at Athletico until 22 November 2025}}

{{Fs end}}

{{further|List of notable Cruzeiro Esporte Clube players}}

{{colbegin|colwidth=23em}}

• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Matturio Fabbi (1928–31)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Rizzo (1932)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Matturio Fabbi (1932–35)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Nello Nicolai (1935–37)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Ninão (1937)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Matturio Fabbi (1938–39)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Bengala (1939–43)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Ninão (1943–44)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Bengala (1944)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Nello Nicolai (1946)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Bengala (1946–47)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Niginho (1948–49)
• {{flagicon|Uruguay}} Ricardo Diéz (1953)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Niginho (1953–55)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Bengala (1955–56)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Ayrton Moreira (1957)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Gérson dos Santos (1957)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Danilo Alvim (1958)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Gérson dos Santos (1958–59)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Ninão (1959)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Niginho (1959–61)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Gérson dos Santos (1962)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Niginho (1962–63)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Ayrton Moreira (1964–67)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Orlando Fantoni (1967–68)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Hilton Chaves (1968–69)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Gérson dos Santos (1969–70)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Hilton Chaves (1970)
• {{flagicon|Argentina}} Filpo Núñez (1970)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Hilton Chaves (1970–71)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Orlando Fantoni (1971–72)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Yustrich (1972)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Hilton Chaves (1972–75)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Zezé Moreira (1975–77)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Yustrich (1977)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Aymoré Moreira (1977–78)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Procópio (1978)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Hilton Chaves (1979–80)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Procópio (1981)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Yustrich (1982)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Orlando Fantoni (1983)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Hilton Chaves (1983–84)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Procópio (1986)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Carlos Alberto Silva (1986–87)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Jair Pereira (1987–88)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Ênio Andrade (1989–90)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Carbone (1990)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Ênio Andrade (1991–92)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Jair Pereira (1992)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Pinheiro (1993)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Carlos Alberto Silva (1993–94)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Zé Maurício (1993–94)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Ênio Andrade (1994)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Palhinha (1994)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Nelinho (1994)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Ênio Andrade (1995)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Jair Pereira (1995)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Levir Culpi (1996)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} P. Autuori (1 March 1997–30 June 97)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Levir Culpi (1998–99)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Paulo Autuori (1999–00)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Marco Aurélio (2000)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Felipão (1 July 2000 – 30 June 2001)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} PC Carpegiani (1 May 2001 – 6 Aug 2001)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Marco Aurélio (2001–02)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Vanderlei Luxemburgo (2002–03)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} E. Leão (5 May 2004 – 29 July 2004)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Marco Aurélio (2004)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Levir Culpi (1 Jan 2005 – 30 June 2005)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} PC Gusmão (5 July 2005 – 14 Aug 2006)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Oswaldo de Oliveira (2006)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} P. Autuori (4 Dec 2006 – 1 May 2007)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} D. Júnior (8 May 2007 – 2 Dec 2007)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} A. Batista (1 Jan 2008 – 3 June 2010)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Cuca (8 June 2010 – 19 June 2011)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} J. Santana (20 June 2011 – 2 Sept 2011)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} E. Ávila (4 Sept 2011 – 25 Sept 2011)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} V. Mancini (26 Sept 2011 – 10 May 2012)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Celso Roth (15 May 2012 – 2 Dec 2012)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} M. Oliveira (3 Dec 2012 – 2 June 2015)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} V. Luxemburgo (2 June 2015 – 31 Aug 2015)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Mano Menezes (1 Sept 2015 – 6 Dec 2015)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Deivid (10 Dec 2015 – 25 April 2016)
• {{flagicon|Portugal}} Paulo Bento (11 May 2016 – 26 July 2016)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Mano Menezes (27 July 2016 – 8 Aug 2019)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Rogerio Ceni (13 Aug 2019 – 26 Sept 2019)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Abel Braga (27 Sept 2019 – 29 Nov 2019)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} A. Batista (29 Nov 2019 – 15 Mar 2020)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Enderson Moreira (18 Mar 2020 – 8 Sept 2020)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Ney Franco (9 Sept 2020 – 11 Oct 2020)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Felipão (15 Oct 2020 – 25 Jan 2021)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Felipe Conceição (30 Jan 2021 – 9 Jun 2021)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Mozart (10 Jun 2021 – 30 Jul 2021)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} V. Luxemburgo (3 Aug 2021 – 28 Dec 2021)
• {{flagicon|Uruguay}} Paulo Pezzolano (3 Jan 2022 – 19 Mar 2023)
• {{flagicon|Portugal}} Pepa (20 Mar 2023 – 29 Aug 2023)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Zé Ricardo (5 Sept 2023 – 12 Nov 2023)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} P. Autuori (14 Nov 2023 – 6 Dec 2023)
• {{flagicon|Argentina}} Nicolás Larcamón (20 Dec 2023 – 8 April 2024)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Fernando Seabra (9 April 2024 – 23 Sept 2024)
• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Fernando Diniz (23 Sept 2024 - 27 Jan 2025)
• {{flagicon|Portugal}} Leonardo Jardim (4 Feb 2025 –)

{{colend}}

{{further|List of Cruzeiro Esporte Clube records and statistics}}

Roberto Perfumo, with 138 matches, was the non-Brazilian with the most appearances for the club, this was recently changed however as Ariel Cabral was awarded this record with 200 appearances for the club.

The player with the most appearances for Cruzeiro is Fábio with a stunning record of 800 appearances, having been with the team since 2005, beating former midfielder Zé Carlos, with 619 appearances, between 1965 and 1977.{{cite web| url = http://www.futebolinterior.com.br/futebol/Cruzeiro-MG/noticias/2015-06/Goleiro-Fabio-supera-recorde-de-Ze-Carlos-com-634-jogos-no-Cruzeiro| title = Goleiro Fábio supera recorde de Zé Carlos com 634 jogos no Cruzeiro| publisher = Futebol Interior| access-date = 2015-06-17| language = pt| archive-date = 15 June 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150615221303/http://www.futebolinterior.com.br/futebol/Cruzeiro-MG/noticias/2015-06/Goleiro-Fabio-supera-recorde-de-Ze-Carlos-com-634-jogos-no-Cruzeiro| url-status = live}} In third place on that list is 1971's Bola de Ouro Winner, "The Prince" Dirceu Lopes, while the fourth place belongs to former Brazilian international and 1970 FIFA World Cup champion Wilson Piazza. The fifth overall player, and second goalkeeper with the most appearances for Cruzeiro is the notorious Raul Plassman, who played a total of 557 games with the team. The non-Brazilian with the most appearances for the club is the Argentine Roberto Perfumo who made 138 appearances for the club between 1971 and 1974.

Brazilian hall-of-famer and 1970 FIFA World Cup winner Tostão has scored the most goals for Cruzeiro, 249 between 1963 and 1972, having appeared on 378 matches for Cruzeiro (12th overall). He beats Dirceu Lopes by 25 goals on that list, which also has old-timer Niginho (207 goals) closing the top 3, being the only ones with over 200 goals for Cruzeiro. Ninão holds the record for goals scored in a single match: 10 in Cruzeiro's 14–0 win over Alves Nogueira during Campeonato da Cidade on 17 June 1928. Nelinho holds the record for most goals scored from penalties: 38; and the record for goals scored from fouls: 42. Walter Montillo's 39 goals make him the non-Brazilian with the most goals for Cruzeiro, a record that would belong to Bolivia national football team vice-captain and striker Marcelo Moreno with 48 goals or Spanish 1930's striker Fernando Carazo, with 44 goals, had they not become Brazilian nationals.{{cite web| url = http://oglobo.globo.com/esportes/marcelo-moreno-se-torna-maior-artilheiro-estrangeiro-do-cruzeiro-14519947| title = Marcelo Moreno se torna o maior artilheiro estrangeiro do Cruzeiro| date = 10 November 2014| publisher = Jornal O Globo| access-date = 2015-06-17| language = pt| archive-date = 19 June 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210619065828/https://oglobo.globo.com/esportes/marcelo-moreno-se-torna-maior-artilheiro-estrangeiro-do-cruzeiro-14519947| url-status = live}}

• {{legend|gold|record}}
• {{smallsup|s}} shared record

• Torneio Quadrangular (1): 1966
• Caracas Triangular Trophy (2): 1970, 1977
• October 11th Tournament (1): 1971
• Lunar New Year Cup (1): 1972
• Miller Cup (2): 1972, 1973
• Independence Cup (1): 1978
• Trofeo Cidade de Vigo (1): 1978
• Lagos Tournament (1): 1980
• Trofeo Ciudad de Valladolid (1): 1982
• Trofeo Ciudad de Santander (1): 1982
• Zaragoza Tournament (1): 1982
• Torneio 20 anos do Estádio Mineirão (1): 1985
• Trofeo Reyno de Navarra (1): 1986
• Trofeo Ciudad de Alicante (1): 1986
• Tokyo Dome Cup (2): 1994, 1994
• Emperor's Cup (1): 1996
• Guadalajara International Tournament (1): 2001
• Campeonato Internacional de Verano (1): 2009

• Torneio Dante Alighieri (1): 1921
• Torneio Imprensa (1): 1927
• Torneio Otacílio Negrão de Lima (1): 1936
• Torneio Minotti Mucelli (1): 1952
• Torneio de Ponte Nova (1): 1954
• Torneio Afonso Rabelo (1): 1961
• Torneio Guilherme de Oliveira (1): 1964
• Torneio de Barbacena (2): 1964, 1965
• Torneio Mário Coutinho (1): 1965
• Torneio do Bispo (1): 1965
• Torneio do Governador (1): 1971
• Torneio Juiz de Fora (1): 1985
• Troféu Wilson Piazza (1): 1993
• Troféu João Saldanha (2): 2009, 2013
• Taça Alexandre Queiroz de Oliveira (1): 2012
• Troféu Osmar Santos (2): 2013, 2014

• Copa dos Campeões Mineiros (2): 1991, 1999
• Torneio Início do Campeonato Mineiro (10): 1926, 1927, 1929, 1938, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1944, 1948, 1966

• Copa Belo Horizonte (1): 1960{{Cite web|url = http://www.rsssfbrasil.com/tablesfq/mgcbhcamp.htm|title = Minas Gerais – Copa Belo Horizonte – List of Champions|date = 30 March 2008|accessdate = 21 August 2015|website = RSSSF|last = Pinheiro|first = Marcos|archive-date = 24 September 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924135128/http://www.rsssfbrasil.com/tablesfq/mgcbhcamp.htm|url-status = live}}

• Intercontinental Cup (2): 1976, 1997
• Copa Libertadores (2): 1977, 2009
• Copa Sudamericana (1): 2024
• Recopa Sudamericana (2): 1992, 1993
• Supercopa Sudamericana (2): 1988, 1996
• Copa Mercosur (1): 1998
• Copa Master de Supercopa (1): 1992
• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (5): 1969, 1974, 1975, 1998, 2010
• Copa do Brasil (2): 1998, 2014
• Copa dos Campeões (1): 2002
• Seletiva Libertadores{{Cite web |title=Universo Online - Esporte - Últimas Notícias do Esporte |url=http://www1.uol.com.br/esporte/ultimas/fut21121999120.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171950/http://www1.uol.com.br/esporte/ultimas/fut21121999120.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=13 December 2018}} (1): 1999
• Copa Sul-Minas (1): 2000
• Campeonato Mineiro (28): 1922, 1924, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1942, 1954, 1962, 1970, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2017, 2022, 2024
• Taça Minas Gerais (5): 1975, 1976, 1979, 1986, 1987

• Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-20 (1): 2017
• Copa do Brasil Sub-20 (1): 2023
• Supercopa do Brasil Sub-20 (1): 2017
• Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior (1): 2007
• Taça Belo Horizonte de Juniores (5): 1985, 1993, 1995, 2001, 2004
• Copa Rio Grande do Sul de Futebol Sub-20 (3): 2007, 2010, 2012
• Copa Santiago de Futebol Juvenil (2): 2002, 2004
• Copa Macaé de Juvenis (2): 2007, 2008
• Copa Votorantim Sub-15 (3): 2002, 2005, 2006

Trebles

– Domestic Triple Crown

: State, Cup and League: 2003¹{{cite web|url=http://www.cruzeiro.com.br/?section=historia_titulospro&idm=3|title=Cruzeiro Esporte Clube — Titulos|access-date=21 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219210122/http://www.cruzeiro.com.br/?section=historia_titulospro&idm=3|archive-date=19 December 2007|url-status=dead}}

Doubles

– Domestic Double

:State and League: 1966

:State and Cup: 1996

:State and League: 2014

:State and Cup: 2018

– Continental Double

: State and Supercopa Sudamericana: 1992

: State and Copa Libertadores: 1997

{{Main|Mineirão}}

Cruzeiro's first stadium was the Estádio do Prado Mineiro, which belonged to the Federação Mineira de Futebol (FMF).{{cite web | url = http://blogdocruzeirensecom.blogspot.com/2010/07/estadios-celestes-prado-mineiro.html | title = Estádios celestes: Prado Mineiro | publisher = Blog do Cruzeirense | access-date = 2010-08-11 | language = pt | archive-date = 8 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110708025313/http://blogdocruzeirensecom.blogspot.com/2010/07/estadios-celestes-prado-mineiro.html | url-status = live }} The club's first game at the stadium was 2–0 win over a Villa Nova/Palmeiras combine team from Nova Lima on 3 April 1921.{{cite web | url = http://cruzeiromg.wordpress.com/estadios/ | title = Estádios | date = 31 March 2010 | publisher = Blog do Cruzeiro | access-date = 2010-08-11 | language = pt | archive-date = 5 June 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100605115138/http://cruzeiromg.wordpress.com/estadios/ | url-status = live }} Cruzeiro would use the stadium until 1923 when the club built its own stadium, Estádio do Barro Preto.{{cite web | url = http://blogdocruzeirensecom.blogspot.com/2010/07/estadios-celestes-barro-preto.html | title = Estádios celestes: Barro Preto | publisher = Blog do Cruzeirense | access-date = 2010-08-11 | language = pt | archive-date = 8 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110708025459/http://blogdocruzeirensecom.blogspot.com/2010/07/estadios-celestes-barro-preto.html | url-status = live }} On 23 July 1923, Cruzeiro debuted at the stadium in a 2–2 tie with Flamengo. In 1945, the stadium went through renovations and would become at that time the largest stadium in the state with a capacity of 15,000 and later on would become known as Estádio Juscelino Kubitscheck (or Estádio JK). Cruzeiro would use the stadium until 1965, when the Mineirão was opened. In 1983, the stadium was torn down and one of the club's social clubs (Sede Campestre) was built there.{{cite web | url = http://terceirotempo.ig.com.br/quefimlevou_interna.php?id=3255&sessao=f | title = Estádio do Barro Preto | publisher = Que Fim Levou | access-date = 2010-08-11 | language = pt | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110706153411/http://terceirotempo.ig.com.br/quefimlevou_interna.php?id=3255&sessao=f | archive-date = 6 July 2011 | url-status = dead}}

Since 1965, Cruzeiro play their home games at Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto, often referred to as just Mineirão in Belo Horizonte, MG.{{cite web | url = https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/clubs/club=44130/index.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090612055741/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/clubs/club=44130/index.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 12 June 2009 | title = Cruzeiro's climb to power | publisher = FIFA | access-date = 2010-07-01}} Cruzeiro shares the stadium with rivals Atlético Mineiro.{{cite web | url = http://www.radiomineira.com/index.php/2009/04/mineirao-o-palco-das-grandes-historias-do-futebol-mineiro/ | title = MINEIRÃO – O palco das grandes histórias do futebol mineiro | publisher = Radio Mineiro | access-date = 2010-07-04 | language = pt | archive-date = 15 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110715144835/http://www.radiomineira.com/index.php/2009/04/mineirao-o-palco-das-grandes-historias-do-futebol-mineiro/ | url-status = live }} The stadium does not belong to Cruzeiro, rather it belongs to the state of Minas Gerais (through a land grant from the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais) and is administrated by Minas Arena, a private company, on lease from the state since 2013. The stadium, which was built in 1963, had an original capacity of about 130,000, but over the years that capacity has been reduced, and currently it seats 64,800. Named after former Minas Gerais governor José de Magalhães Pinto, it took over 4,000 workers to build the stadium. The period after the stadium's inauguration is often called Era Mineirão ("Mineirão Era"), which saw Cruzeiro gain national and international prominence.{{cite web | url = http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/ultimas/2007/09/16/ult59u130832.jhtm | title = Cruzeiro amplia vantagem sobre o rival Atlético na Era Mineirão | publisher = UOL Esporte | access-date = 2010-07-04 | language = pt | archive-date = 14 August 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120814132800/http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/ultimas/2007/09/16/ult59u130832.jhtm | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url = https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/stories/classicderby/news/newsid=111444.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090719101633/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/stories/classicderby/news/newsid=111444.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 19 July 2009 | title = The Classic: Atletico-Cruzeiro | publisher = FIFA | access-date = 2010-08-10 | language = pt}} Cruzeiro also holds the attendance record at the stadium, when 132,834 spectators watched Cruzeiro beat Villa Nova in the 1997 Campeonato Mineiro final.{{cite web | url = http://www.bolanaarea.com/gal_estadios_mineirao.htm | title = Mineirão | publisher = Bola N@ Area | access-date = 2010-08-10 | language = pt | archive-date = 10 November 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101110120147/http://bolanaarea.com/gal_estadios_mineirao.htm | url-status = live }}

Cruzeiro have had plans to build a new stadium, especially under president Alvimar de Oliveira Costa's tenure.{{cite web | url = http://globoesporte.globo.com/ESP/Noticia/Futebol/Cruzeiro/0,,MUL95667-4401,00.html | title = Presidente fala sobre novo estádio | publisher = GloboEsporte.com | access-date = 2010-07-04 | language = pt | archive-date = 15 September 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080915100801/http://globoesporte.globo.com/ESP/Noticia/Futebol/Cruzeiro/0,,MUL95667-4401,00.html | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url = http://www.mx.terra.com/tecnologia/interna/0,,OI749704-EI4847,00.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130105092533/http://www.mx.terra.com/tecnologia/interna/0,,OI749704-EI4847,00.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 5 January 2013 | title = Alvimar promete Arena ao Cruzeiro, se reeleito | publisher = Terra | access-date = 2010-07-04 | language = pt }}{{cite web | url = http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/ultimas/2007/11/11/ult59u136486.jhtm | title = Definição do local do estádio do Cruzeiro sairá até janeiro | publisher = UOL Esporte | access-date = 2010-07-04 | language = pt | archive-date = 14 August 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120814132940/http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/ultimas/2007/11/11/ult59u136486.jhtm | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url = http://www.lancenet.com.br/cruzeiro/noticias/10-05-22/758075.stm?cruzeiro-tenta-avancar-parceria-com-governo-da-libia | title = Cruzeiro tenta avançar parceria com governo da Líbia | publisher = Lance! | access-date = 2010-07-04 | language = pt | archive-date = 24 May 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100524104352/http://www.lancenet.com.br/cruzeiro/noticias/10-05-22/758075.stm?cruzeiro-tenta-avancar-parceria-com-governo-da-libia | url-status = live }} However, the state of Minas asked Cruzeiro to stay at the stadium,{{cite web | url = http://www.otempo.com.br/otempo/noticias/?IdEdicao=809&IdCanal=3&IdSubCanal=41&IdNoticia=67702&IdTipoNoticia=1 | title = Secretário quer Cruzeiro no Mineirão | publisher = O Tempo | access-date = 2010-07-04 | language = pt | archive-date = 5 October 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111005000840/http://www.otempo.com.br/otempo/noticias/?IdEdicao=809&IdCanal=3&IdSubCanal=41&IdNoticia=67702&IdTipoNoticia=1 | url-status = live }} and after president Zezé Perrella came to the presidency in 2009, plans for a new stadium virtually disappeared.{{cite web | url = http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/ultimas/2008/11/05/ult59u176654.jhtm | title = Eleição no Cruzeiro encerra dobradinha entre irmãos Perrellas | publisher = UOL Esporte | access-date = 2010-07-04 | language = pt | archive-date = 8 November 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081108065944/http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/ultimas/2008/11/05/ult59u176654.jhtm | url-status = live }}

The Mineirão was selected as a host stadium for the 2014 FIFA World Cup,{{cite news |title=Host Cities for Brazil 2014 to be announced in May |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/brazil2014/news/newsid=1037180.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322032123/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/brazil2014/news/newsid=1037180.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 March 2009 |publisher=FIFA |date=2010-03-12 }} with renovations beginning on 25 June 2010, and projected to be completed by December 2012.{{cite news |title=Mineirão fecha neste sábado para mais obras |url=http://esportes.terra.com.br/futebol/brasil2014/noticias/0,,OI4523885-EI10545,00-Mineirao+fecha+neste+sabado+para+mais+obras.html |publisher=Terra Esportes |date=2010-07-12 |access-date=11 August 2010 |archive-date=4 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704024959/http://esportes.terra.com.br/futebol/brasil2014/noticias/0,,OI4523885-EI10545,00-Mineirao+fecha+neste+sabado+para+mais+obras.html |url-status=live }} After the stadiums closing, Cruzeiro began playing home games at the Arena do Jacaré and Ipatingão stadiums, both outside the city of Belo Horizonte.{{cite news |title=Cruzeiro irá trocar Arena do Jacaré pelo Ipatingão |url=http://www.abril.com.br/noticias/esportes/futebol/cruzeiro/cruzeiro-ira-trocar-arena-jacare-pelo-ipatingao-1190086.shtml |publisher=Abril.com.br |date=2010-07-28 |access-date=11 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716023911/http://www.abril.com.br/noticias/esportes/futebol/cruzeiro/cruzeiro-ira-trocar-arena-jacare-pelo-ipatingao-1190086.shtml |archive-date=16 July 2011 |url-status=dead}} Independência stadium is also being renovated and Cruzeiro will start playing homes games there in 2011 until the Mineirão is ready in 2012.{{cite news |title=Independência, o estádio reserva do Mineirão |url=http://www.copa2014.org.br/noticias/2472/INDEPENDENCIA+O+ESTADIO+RESERVA+DO+MINEIRAO.html |publisher=Portal 2014 |date=2010-08-01 |access-date=11 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101023230500/http://www.copa2014.org.br/noticias/2472/INDEPENDENCIA+O+ESTADIO+RESERVA+DO+MINEIRAO.html |archive-date=23 October 2010 |url-status=dead}}{{needs update|date=August 2024}}

The club has private ownership of other facilities though, including two training facilities (Toca da Raposa I, which serves the youth division and Toca da Raposa II for the senior squad),{{cite news |title=Toca da Raposa I |url=http://www.cruzeiro.com.br/index2.php?section=clube_toca1&idm=1 |publisher=Cruzeiro Esporte Clube |date=2010-08-01 |access-date=11 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529154043/http://www.cruzeiro.com.br/index2.php?section=clube_toca1&idm=1 |archive-date=29 May 2010 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |title=Toca da Raposa II |url=http://www.cruzeiro.com.br/index2.php?section=clube_toca2&idm=1 |publisher=Cruzeiro Esporte Clube |date=2010-08-01 |access-date=11 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309151457/http://www.cruzeiro.com.br/index2.php?section=clube_toca2&idm=1 |archive-date=9 March 2012 |url-status=dead}} an administrative headquarters{{cite news |title=Sede Administrativa |url=http://www.cruzeiro.com.br/index2.php?section=clube_sedeadministrativa&idm=1 |publisher=Cruzeiro Esporte Clube |date=2010-08-01 |access-date=11 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707003416/http://www.cruzeiro.com.br/index2.php?section=clube_sedeadministrativa&idm=1 |archive-date=7 July 2009 |url-status=dead}} and two social club facilities.{{cite news |title=Sede Urbana |url=http://www.cruzeiro.com.br/index2.php?section=clube_sedeurbana&idm=1 |publisher=Cruzeiro Esporte Clube |date=2010-08-01 |access-date=11 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324090943/http://www.cruzeiro.com.br/index2.php?section=clube_sedeurbana&idm=1 |archive-date=24 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |title=Sede Campestre |url=http://www.cruzeiro.com.br/index2.php?section=clube_sedecampestre&idm=1 |publisher=Cruzeiro Esporte Clube |date=2010-08-01 |access-date=11 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802220729/http://www.cruzeiro.com.br/index2.php?section=clube_sedecampestre&idm=1 |archive-date=2 August 2009 |url-status=dead}} Cruzeiro has often been praised for having one of the leading infrastructure systems in Brazil.

{{update|section|date=September 2022}}

Cruzeiro used to be a nonprofit organization, where the real owner are sócios (literally, "partners") or members (who pay an annual fee), in return, sócios receive benefits from the club, such as access to club's properties and tickets, as well as a right to vote for the next club officials.{{cite web |url=http://www.cruzeiro.com.br/index2.php?section=associados_sejaum&idm=9 |title=SEJA UM ASSOCIADO |publisher=Cruzeiro Esporte Clube |access-date=2010-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528134742/http://www.cruzeiro.com.br/index2.php?section=associados_sejaum&idm=9 |archive-date=28 May 2010 |url-status=dead}} This bylaw lasted from the club's foundation in 1921 until late 2021, when Wagner Pires de Sá's run as club president led to the club to declare bankruptcy.

Wagner Pires de Sá's run as club president was filled with corruption.{{cite web | url=https://g1.globo.com/fantastico/noticia/2019/05/26/cruzeiro-chega-a-r-500-milhoes-em-dividas-e-e-investigado-por-operacoes-irregulares.ghtml | title=Cruzeiro chega a R$ 500 milhões em dívidas e é investigado por operações irregulares | date=27 May 2019 | access-date=18 September 2022 | archive-date=20 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170900/https://g1.globo.com/fantastico/noticia/2019/05/26/cruzeiro-chega-a-r-500-milhoes-em-dividas-e-e-investigado-por-operacoes-irregulares.ghtml | url-status=live }} This led Cruzeiro to stop paying its players, leading to the club's first relegation in 2019. Over the next two years, Cruzeiro played the second division while still under the sócios program. This changed in December 2021, when the former footballer Ronaldo, who started his professional career in Cruzeiro, announced he would be the owner of Cruzeiro's football department.{{cite web | url=https://ge.globo.com/futebol/times/cruzeiro/noticia/ronaldo-fenomeno-confirma-compra-do-cruzeiro.ghtml | title=Ronaldo Fenômeno anuncia compra do Cruzeiro por R$ 400 milhões | date=18 December 2021 | access-date=18 September 2022 | archive-date=20 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170926/https://ge.globo.com/futebol/times/cruzeiro/noticia/ronaldo-fenomeno-confirma-compra-do-cruzeiro.ghtml | url-status=live }}In April 2024, Ronaldo sold his shareholding to Fan and Billionaire Pedro Lourenço. In an operation whose values revolve around R$ 600 million ( USD 100 million) for 90% of SAF.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-30 |title=Por quanto Ronaldo vendeu SAF do Cruzeiro - e quanto ele investiu no negócio em pouco mais de 2 anos |url=https://www.espn.com.br/futebol/cruzeiro/artigo/_/id/13590574/por-quanto-ronaldo-vendeu-saf-cruzeiro-quanto-ele-investiu-negocio-pouco-mais-2-anos |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=ESPN.com |language=pt}}

• Cruzeiro Esporte Clube (women)
• Sada Cruzeiro (volleyball)
• List of Cruzeiro Esporte Clube managers
• List of Cruzeiro Esporte Clube players

{{Reflist|group=nb}}

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{{Commons|Cruzeiro Esporte Clube kits}}

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{{wiktionary|Cruzeiro}}

• {{Official website|https://www.cruzeiro.com.br/}}

• [http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/times/cruzeiro/ Cruzeiro] at GloboEsporte {{in lang|pt}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140908231641/http://www.superesportes.com.br/futebol/cruzeiro/capa_cruzeiro/index.shtml Cruzeiro] at SuperEsportes {{in lang|pt}} (archived)
• [http://placar.abril.com.br/cruzeiro Cruzeiro] at Placar. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504130018/http://placar.abril.com.br/cruzeiro |date=4 May 2012 }} {{in lang|pt}}.
• [http://www.lancenet.com.br/cruzeiro/ Cruzeiro] at Lancenet {{in lang|pt}}
• [http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/clubes/cruzeiro/ Cruzeiro] at UOL Esporte {{in lang|pt}}

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