Retrô-PE in the 2025 Copa do Brasil: The Surprise of the Year?
The 2025 Copa do Brasil, in its 37th edition, has delivered epic moments and surprises that are shaking up Brazilian football. Among the 92 participating clubs, one team from Pernambuco is stealing the spotlight: Retrô-PE. Founded in 2016 and competing in Série C, Retrô made history by eliminating Fortaleza in the third phase, securing an unprecedented spot in the round of 16. With a modest payroll of just R$700,000—compared to R$3.5 million for teams like Juventude—could Retrô-PE be the surprise of the year in the 2025 Copa do Brasil? In this article, we explore the club’s journey, campaign highlights, and the impact of this underdog story. Check out the complete 2025 Copa do Brasil table to follow the action!
Who is Retrô-PE?
Retrô Futebol Clube Brasil, commonly known as Retrô-PE, is a young club based in Camaragibe, Pernambuco. Founded in 2016, the team, nicknamed the “Fênix” (Phoenix), has risen quickly, earning promotion to Série D in 2020 and Série C in 2023. With modern infrastructure and a focus on youth development, Retrô stands out for its professional management and ambition to challenge Pernambuco’s traditional giants like Sport, Náutico, and Santa Cruz. In the 2025 Copa do Brasil, the club is writing a new chapter in its short history, defying bigger teams and captivating fans.
The Historic Victory Against Fortaleza
The defining moment of Retrô-PE’s 2025 Copa do Brasil campaign came in the third phase against Fortaleza, a tournament favorite. In the first leg on April 29 at Arena Pernambuco, Retrô secured a 1–1 draw. The second leg on May 21 at Castelão saw the same 1–1 scoreline, with Breno Lopes scoring for Fortaleza and Mike equalizing for Retrô. The match went to penalties, where goalkeeper Fabian Volpi emerged as the hero, saving crucial shots from Juan Lucero and Kervin Andrade, leading Retrô to a 4–1 victory in the shootout. This upset, celebrated widely on social media, propelled Retrô into the round of 16, marking them as one of the tournament’s biggest surprises alongside CSA, which eliminated Grêmio.
Highlights of Retrô-PE’s Campaign
Retrô-PE’s journey in the 2025 Copa do Brasil is remarkable, especially given the club’s young age and limited resources. Here are the key highlights of their campaign so far:
- First Phase: Retrô faced a Série D opponent away from home in a single knockout match, as per the tournament rules, and advanced with a strong performance.
- Second Phase: In another single-match tie, Retrô progressed, showcasing defensive solidity and attacking efficiency.
- Third Phase: The upset against Fortaleza, with 1–1 draws in both legs and a 4–1 penalty win, was the pinnacle, with Fabian Volpi’s heroics and contributions from players like Bruno Marques and Richard Franco.
Players like Juan Lucero and Kervin Andrade also stood out for their roles in key moments, underlining the team’s collective strength.
Why Retrô-PE is the Surprise of the Year
Retrô-PE embodies the classic “zebra” (underdog) spirit of the Copa do Brasil, reminiscent of historic upsets like Santo André in 2004. Here’s why they’re the surprise of 2025:
- Young Club: At just nine years old, Retrô is challenging clubs with decades of history.
- Modest Budget: With a R$700,000 payroll, Retrô outperforms teams with far larger budgets, relying on organization and grit.
- Regional Pride: The victory over Fortaleza has sparked pride in Pernambuco, with fans on X predicting Retrô could outshine Sport, Náutico, and Santa Cruz.
- Playing Style: Under a local coach, Retrô combines solid defense with quick counterattacks, perfect for the knockout format.
Context of the 2025 Copa do Brasil
The 2025 Copa do Brasil, sponsored by Betano, began on February 18 and features 92 clubs from all 27 Brazilian state federations. Offering a record R$77,175,000 prize for the champion and a spot in the 2026 Copa Libertadores, the tournament is highly competitive. The first two phases are single knockout matches, with penalties deciding ties, while the third phase, where Retrô excelled, features home-and-away legs. The round of 16 draw, set for June 2, will determine Retrô’s next opponent among the 16 remaining teams, including 12 Série A clubs (e.g., Flamengo, Palmeiras) and two Série C teams (Retrô and CSA).
Impact of Retrô-PE’s Run
Retrô-PE’s advancement to the round of 16 has significant implications:
- Financial Boost: Each team in the round of 16 earns R$3.63 million, a substantial sum for a club like Retrô, which can invest in infrastructure and youth academies.
- National Visibility: The upset against Fortaleza garnered national attention, with X posts praising Retrô’s achievement and positioning them as a rising force in Pernambuco.
- Inspiration: Retrô’s success inspires other small clubs, reinforcing the Copa do Brasil’s democratic nature, where any team can shine.
Comparison with Historic Underdogs
Retrô-PE’s campaign echoes past Copa do Brasil underdog stories:
- Santo André (2004): Defeated Flamengo in the final, one of the biggest upsets in tournament history.
- Paulista (2005): Overcame Fluminense, proving small clubs can compete.
- Criciúma (1991): Won as a Série B team, a feat Retrô, in Série C, dreams of replicating.
Like these teams, Retrô blends organization, emerging talent, and fan support to pull off surprises.
Retrô-PE’s Next Steps
With the round of 16 draw scheduled for June 2, Retrô awaits their next opponent. The open draw format means they could face giants like Flamengo, Palmeiras, or Atlético-MG. Regardless, the confidence gained from defeating Fortaleza, led by Fabian Volpi, Bruno Marques, and Richard Franco, keeps spirits high. The R$3.63 million prize for the round of 16 and potential R$4.74 million for the quarterfinals offer further incentive.
How to Follow Retrô-PE
Stay updated on Retrô’s campaign:
- Visit the CBF website for official schedules and news.
- Watch matches on Globo, SporTV, or Premiere.
- Check our analyses, including the top players of the 2025 Copa do Brasil and the round of 16 table.
Poll: Will Retrô-PE Be the 2025 Underdog?
Share your thoughts in our poll:
- Yes, Retrô can reach the quarterfinals or beyond!
- No, the round of 16 is their limit.
- It depends on the draw.
Comment below with your prediction!
The Future of Retrô-PE
Retrprimero’s 2025 Copa do Brasil campaign is already historic, but the club has bigger dreams. With growing fan support and buzz on X, where fans predict Retrô could outshine Pernambuco’s “big three” (Sport, Náutico, Santa Cruz), the team is crafting a new narrative in Northeast Brazilian football. Will Retrô-PE be the surprise of the year, or even an unlikely champion in 2025? Only time will tell, but the Fênix from Camaragibe has proven it can soar. Bookmark this page, share on social media, and comment: How far can Retrô go?
