Abel Ferreira: No one wanted Palmeiras job when I joined 5 years ago | OneFootball

In holiday mode, Palmeiras defeated the now relegated Ceará at Arena Castelão by 3 to 1 and concludes its campaign in the Brasileirão in 2025. As the runner-up, the goals for Verdão were scored by Facundo Torres, Ramón Sosa, and Flaco López.

After the match, Abel Ferreira gave a press conference at Arena Castelão and provided an overview of Verdão's season and also recalled the negotiation for his arrival at the Greatest Champion of Brazil.

Speak, Abel!

Review of 2025

— The 2025 season was planned in 2024, not now. And we managed to break another record: 76 points. No one has ever finished second with 76 points. Unfortunately, there was a team that was better than Palmeiras in a year of restructuring, in a year of 17 departures and 11 arrivals, where we invested a lot of money. Out of the five titles: in the Brasileirão, 76 points; in the Libertadores, there was only one club that did better than us — once again in the final. In the World Cup, we represented Brazilian football and Palmeiras very well. Regarding the Copa do Brasil, it didn't go well: we won once and are still chasing that competition. In the Paulista, in five years, we reached all the finals, lost two and won three.

— This year was planned in 2024. Fortunately, I have people within the club who understand football matters. We want the reinforcements to perform right away, but things aren't like that even at Real Madrid, or anywhere else. Andreas adapted very quickly. Roque, we invested a lot, discredited and you called him a dud, and in two, three months we valued this player. López, Palmeiras invested 8, 10 million euros, and today he's worth between 40 to 50 million euros. Palmeiras lives for titles, but it won't always win. I don't promise titles, I promise that we will always fight to win. And that's it. Yes, 76 points is our focus, but now a period of rest: mental, physical. Being able to return to my roots and regain my energy.

No one wanted to coach Palmeiras?

— The values they talk about are absurd: 30 million, 60 million… When you want to know, ask Leila or Barros and you can see how much goes into my account. It's unbelievable how they create narratives about my salary. It's a lie what they say about my prize. Tell the truth. When I arrived here, I had zero titles. I didn't earn what I earn today. I earn for what we've done here, that's why the club valued our work.

Regarding the use of youth players, he responded:

— This year, we did this several times. Against Santos, Larson played; in the Santos game, we didn't have 10 players. Against Juventude, we didn't have players. Against Fortaleza, many times, due to the context, we did this. And what we did today was serious and responsible: giving our best and, if our best isn't enough to win, I kiss the medal and sleep peacefully. I came here to do the best I can. I really like being here, for the appreciation. When it comes to reinforcements… If it were for the money, it would be impossible for Mirassol to do what it did. Why do they create these narratives?

— 50% from Rio de Janeiro, 50% from São Paulo: we divided Santos, Palmeiras, São Paulo, and Corinthians. Four against one. Over the years, the press is not against Palmeiras. Palmeiras has 25% of the press and the others… it's not worth talking about. It's a club that never in its history — as of today — has been so balanced both sportingly and financially. We are a team with fewer resources than others, but we manage to compete and fight for titles. In Leila's term, she asked me for one title per year, and this year we didn't win. She never doubted, because she knows perfectly and she sees far beyond the results. If it were for investment, Mirassol wouldn't have done what it did.

Brazilian football

— Sometimes, when I talk about journalists, I know well what I'm talking about. I know Brazil better than ever. And I respect it a lot. And other times I've been rude to some of you. I've never had problems with you; I just get upset with the narratives that are created. But it's part of it. It's not my job, but I need to be well-informed. My job is to coach — either here or in China. I really like being at Palmeiras. I grew up betting on young players and it will always be like that. I really like being here. I'm a coach of relationships and projects. And I like to be where they want me to be. And the effort Leila made for me to continue in her project.

— In Brazilian football, things are tough. Is Guardiola weak because he didn't win last year? It's an evaluation that the management has to make. I'm sorry that northeastern football has gone down with two teams. I promise the people of Ceará that, the day I leave, I will return. Here it's hot, there's good water, and few times did I dive even having vacation time at the sea. When I'm on vacation, I like to be with my parents. Fortunately, I brought my family here. But the life of a coach is keys in hand and suitcase by the side.

And now?

Palmeiras concludes its 2025 game calendar and finishes the Brasileirão in second place, and returns to the field on January 11, when the 2026 Paulistão begins.

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