Palmeiras in multimillion deficit, Leila Pereira takes swipe at Flamengo | OneFootball

Palmeiras is going through a delicate financial situation this year

Flamengo’s main rival in the race for this season’s titles, Palmeiras is going through a complicated financial moment. That is because Leila Pereira’s club posted a deficit of R$ 65.9 million in the first five months of the year. Despite the situation, the president remained calm and sent an indirect message to Mengão, assuring that the team will keep fighting for titles.— I, Leila, have to be creative, okay? I go through this every year, every single year, you know? So sometimes the youth academy helps me out (with sales). My wish is not to negotiate any player, but I need to stay financially balanced, right? — Leila began.

— I’m a creative woman, I’ll find a way. I can’t afford not to have a strong team, because we intend to keep fighting for titles. How are we going to pay the bills? Leave it to the president, the president will sort it out! — added the Palmeiras president, according to ‘UOL’.

WHAT ARE FLAMENGO AND PALMEIRAS FIGHTING FOR THIS YEAR?

In 2025, Palmeiras finished runner-up to Flamengo in the Brasileirão and the Copa Libertadores. This year, the two teams remain in an intense battle for trophies. The São Paulo side leads the league with 41 points, compared to Mengão’s 34. However, Rubro-Negro has a game in hand.

In the main competition on the calendar, both are in the round of 16. Flamengo will face Cruzeiro, while Palmeiras take on Cerro Porteño (PAR) in August. In the group stage, Rubro-Negro finished first in its group and, therefore, will play the second leg at the Maracanã. Leila Pereira’s club, meanwhile, advanced as runner-up and will decide its fate in Asunción, Paraguay.

WHAT ABOUT FLAMENGO’S FINANCIAL REPORT?

The latest financial report released by Flamengo referred to the first quarter. The club also posted a deficit, of R$ 63.9 million. However, the amount is considered under control by Rubro-Negro because of the major investment made in Lucas Paquetá at the start of the year.

For the midfielder, Flamengo paid 42 million euros (around R$ 260 million at the January exchange rate). Added to taxes, signing bonus, and agents’ intermediary fees, the total cost of the transfer reached R$ 315.7 million. Unlike Leila Pereira, president Luiz Eduardo Baptista, Bap, has appeared calm about the scenario presented.

WHEN DO PALMEIRAS AND FLAMENGO RETURN TO THE FIELD?

In the fight for the top spot in the Brasileirão, Palmeiras and Flamengo take the field this Wednesday (22). The São Paulo side faces Coritiba at Couto Pereira Stadium at 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time). Rubro-Negro, meanwhile, takes on Chapecoense at Arena Condá at 9:30 p.m. The round will have full coverage from Coluna do Fla.

WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION ON THE TOPIC?

— The deficit is viewed differently at the two clubs. Leila showed that it is a concern and admitted she will have to be creative to get out of this situation. Flamengo, meanwhile, ‘stretched the rope’ because of an atypical situation, which was the investment in Lucas Paquetá. Rubro-Negro’s financial expectations are positive over the course of the year, even with the early exit from the Copa do Brasil — opined Pedro Paulo Catonho, journalist for Coluna do Fla.

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