Jaraguá Futsal Club fuels city’s rise as Brazil’s futsal powerhouse

Futsal in Jaraguá do Sul, Santa Catarina, began in 1959 when local athletes switched from field football to indoor soccer. The municipality opened its first official court, and on 15 February 1992 the Associação Desportiva Jaraguá (ADJ) was created. Private sponsorship arrived in 2001 with the Malwee brand, enabling the club—known as Malwee Jaraguá—to sign top players such as Falcão, Manoel Tobias, Lenísio, Ari, Valdin and Neto. The Arena Jaraguá became a premier venue, and the team has amassed six Libertadores titles, six national league championships, seven Brazil Cups, four Superligas and 12 state championships.

The city also hosts Grêmio Esportivo Juventus, a football club founded in 1966 that will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2026 while the municipality marks 150 years of existence. Jaraguá Futsal returns to the court on Wednesday, 29 March, at 19:15 to face Atlântico in the 14th round of the LNF Cresol first phase.