Abel Ferreira blames flimsy excuse for Palmeiras’ losses to Flamengo | OneFootball

Palmeiras Coach Still Remembers Flamengo's Titles in 2025

If you make a purchase of R$ 100 and divide it into four installments of 25, it doesn't stop being a R$ 100 purchase, right? According to the new logic of Abel Ferreira from Palmeiras, it does. Criticized for being the runner-up to Flamengo in 2025 after a R$ 700 million investment, the Portuguese coach created a 'juggling act' to ensure that the club did not spend that amount. In response to a reporter's question about Mengão spending less, he answered as follows.

— You want to understand, but I'm not the person to explain this to you. The budget is not just about purchases and sales. I can buy a player that will cost me 20 million euros and pay him over five years. That's not how it's calculated. When you buy a house, you don't pay upfront, you pay in installments. That's why when these narratives are created, I understand perfectly, but it's in the budget that we need to compare. That's not how things work — said Abel Ferreira.

— Palmeiras didn't spend 700 million, Palmeiras spaced it out. For Vitor Roque, Palmeiras will pay over four or five years. It's an expense we have, but it doesn't enter this year's budget. It's an expense that Palmeiras will pay. But I perfectly understand the narratives. It's not the budgets that play. Palmeiras is very good at doing what it always does: having a competitive team, always playing to win, with well-defined processes, continuity, and financial responsibility — added the coach on Saturday (17).

WHY CRY, ABEL?

Even with Abel Ferreira trying to downplay it, Palmeiras made investments of R$ 700 million last year. But it was all for nothing. That's because Flamengo won the Brasileirão and the Libertadores, with Palmeiras being the runner-up. As a bonus, the São Paulo team also finished second in the State Championship, against their biggest rival, Corinthians.

HOW IS PALMEIRAS THIS YEAR?

Trying to erase last year's image, Palmeiras started the year prioritizing the Paulista Championship. Thus, the team began with three wins in three games. On Saturday (17), the runner-up to Flamengo defeated Mirassol, 1-0, on the synthetic field of Allianz Parque.

However, the squad is paying the price for taking the Paulista seriously. Andreas Pereira and Vitor Roque are already in the medical department. The former Flamengo player had a shoulder issue and will be out for a month. The forward will undergo evaluation after complaining of knee pain.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.