Abel backs Palmeiras to bounce back in 2026, message to fans | OneFootball

Despite losing two titles in less than a week, the atmosphere at Palmeiras is not one of devastation, according to coach Abel Ferreira. After Flamengo won the Brazilian Championship, the Portuguese coach sent a message to the Verdão fans, who finished as runners-up.

“To Palmeiras fans, I also want to say the following: things are not in ruins, and I am very lucky to be part of Palmeiras’ history, which is long and victorious, but to be in the most successful cycle, the period in which Palmeiras is most recognized, both nationally and internationally, for the prestige of its organization, the greatness of its processes, and everything the club does as an institution,” he stated.

Palmeiras was runner-up in the Paulista Championship against Corinthians and in the Libertadores against Flamengo. In the Brazilian Championship, they ended any chance of winning the title and secured second place with 73 points, after the draw between Cruzeiro and Botafogo this Thursday.

Abel Ferreira expressed his dissatisfaction with losing the titles, declaring himself a “bad loser,” but praised the team’s effort, which reached the finals and competed for the Brazilian Championship practically until the end.

“I am lucky to be present in a period of the club’s history in which Palmeiras has won the most in the shortest time. And more than winning, it’s about always being there in the picture, even if it’s with the second-place medal. But for me, it’s exactly the same work. It’s exactly the same work. For me, second is not the first of the last. Of course, we want to win. I hate losing, but I know how much I sacrifice to give my best, as we did today to take three more points from here in a fair and clear way,” Abel declared.

Will Abel stay at Palmeiras?

Palmeiras has not yet officially announced the stay of coach Abel Ferreira for next season. The coach’s contract is only valid until the end of this year, but the Portuguese has already publicly stated that he gave his word to president Leila Pereira and that he wants to stay.

If nothing changes, the coach’s renewal should be announced after the end of the season. The board’s proposal is to extend his contract until December 2027, which coincides with the end of the current president’s term.

The coach believes the team can deliver more

When mentioning the performance in the Libertadores final, for example, Abel even said that he did not recognize his team’s play with the ball. The coach, however, made a point of distancing his squad from the label of losers and said the team has already shown what it is capable of.

“More than losing, because one thing is to lose, another is to be a loser. One thing is to lose, another is to be a loser. This team lost, but it is not a loser. I understand that many people want to say, ‘oh, second place is bad, everything is ruined, nothing is good.’ But we have already proven what this team has shown throughout this year and while we were allowed. Because there are things we control and others we don’t, as was the case today. We arrived here with scars, some players still ‘bleeding,’” he concluded.

Palmeiras’ next match

Ceará vs Palmeiras Competition: Campeonato Brasileiro (38th round) Date and time: December 7, 2025 (Sunday), at 4 p.m. (Brasília time) Venue: Arena Castelão, in Fortaleza (CE)

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