The club's home colours are black and white and the team mascot is a lion.
History
On October 2, 1913, at Teatro da Paz (meaning Peace Theater) members of an amateur football club called Barroquinha decided to professionalise their club, and established a monthly fee to be paid by its members and associates.[1] On October 5, 1913,[2] Associação Atlética Internacional was officially founded. The club was named after a São Paulo city club named Internacional (not to be confused with the still active Internacional of Porto Alegre).[3] According to some fans, the club is named to honor the several immigrant communities in Limeira, like the German, Italian, Japanese, and Portuguese communities.[1]
In 1986, Internacional, managed by Pepe,[6] won the Campeonato Paulista. It was the first time that a countryside club won the competition.[6] In the semifinals, Inter de Limeira beat Santos, and in the final, the club defeated Palmeiras.[7]
Inter de Limeira's home stadium is Estádio Major José Levy Sobrinho, also known as Limeirão,[2] inaugurated in 1977, with a maximum capacity of 23,475 people.[9]
The club's anthem was composed by Joel Navarini, and it is called "Avante Leão!" (meaning "Go ahead Lion!").[10]
Nickname
The club is nicknamed Leão da Paulista (meaning "Lion of Paulista"). The nickname appeared after a match between Internacional and Comercial-Ribeirão Preto of Ribeirão Preto. Comercial is nicknamed Leão, and after a successful trip when the club remained undefeated, the club was beaten by Inter de Limeira, which then adopted the nickname.[3]
Mascot
Inter de Limeira's mascot is called Leão, meaning lion.[6] He is usually depicted wearing the club's home or away kit.[11]
