football popularity grew in following years. paulistano, a club composed of the children of the richest families of são paulo, became the strongest team. however, the popularity base of the sport started to change after a brilliant exhibition tour by the corinthians, a london amateur team, in são paulo and rio de janeiro. they easily defeated the best brazilian teams of the time and made a very favorable impression amongst the younger fans. shortly thereafter, a group of workers were inspired to found the city's first popular team, sport club corinthians paulista.