Abel reflects on Palmeiras’ 2025 plans, hails best run as runners-up | OneFootball

The Palmeiras ended the 2025 season with a comeback victory, winning 3 to 1 against Ceará on Sunday afternoon, in the 38th round of the Brazilian Championship. After the match at Arena Castelão, coach Abel Ferreira reflected on the club's performance throughout the year and highlighted the best runner-up campaign in the national tournament.

“Out of five titles, Brasileirão: 76 points, only one club was better than us. In the Libertadores, only one was better than us, we were better than others and reached the final. In the World Cup, we represented Brazilian football and Palmeiras very well internationally. Regarding the Copa do Brasil, it didn't go well, we are still pursuing this competition and didn't succeed. And in the Paulista, in the five years I've been here, we reached the finals, lost two, and won three. This year was planned in 2024, fortunately, I have people within the club who understand the dynamics of football,” he analyzed.

“We managed to break another record: 76 points. No one has ever finished in second place with 76 points. Unfortunately, there was a team better than Palmeiras. A year of restructuring, 17 departures and 12 arrivals, we invested money for the present and future. Palmeiras lives for titles, but it won't always win. I don't promise titles, nor that we will always win. I promise that we will always fight, which is what we did in all competitions,” he emphasized.

Table Situation

Palmeiras had already secured its position in the 2025 Brazilian Championship after the results of the penultimate round: second place. Abel Ferreira's team finished as runners-up, with 76 points, recording the best runner-up campaign in the Brazilian league with 20 teams, a format adopted since 2006.

“We did something serious and responsible, which is what I ask of my players. Give our best, and if we can't win, I'll go home with a clear conscience. If we finish second, I kiss the medal, and if someone doesn't think like that, it's fine. I've already said that I didn't come to convince anyone, I came to do the best I can with the resources I have and continue at Palmeiras,” he analyzed.

Abel Gets Annoyed with “Narratives” and Criticizes Part of the Press

During the press conference, Abel Ferreira was quite annoyed with what he says are narratives created in the press, regarding salary, awards, and bonuses passed on to PAOK, his former club, for the titles won in five years at Palmeiras.

“There are false narratives and it's absurd, it's unbelievable. My life is an open book, ask Leila and Barros and you can see how much goes into my account. It's unbelievable how they talk without knowing the truth and create false narratives about my salary, the awards, it's absurd the values they mention. If you want to know, I don't mind, ask the directors, or see my contract at CBF, so as not to deceive anyone,” he said.

Finally, the coach recalled his arrival and said that at the time he was hired by Palmeiras “no coach wanted” to go to the club.

“When Palmeiras was trying to hire a coach and no one wanted to come, someone went to PAOK to hire a coach for about R$ 6 million and he accepted to come to Palmeiras. For each title, part of the award I paid to PAOK, from my bonuses and prizes. It wasn't Palmeiras. I arrived here with zero titles, I didn't earn what I earn today. I earn what I earn today because of the work done within the club, that's why the club valued the work,” he continued.

Against Palmeiras?

The Portuguese also picked up on a fan opinion and said he understands the Palmeiras fans' thinking about considering the media against Verdão and took the opportunity to value the club's management.

“Over the years, I realized why many Palmeiras fans say that the press is against Palmeiras. It's 50% Rio de Janeiro and 50% São Paulo. Here we divide São Paulo, Palmeiras, Corinthians, and Santos. It's four against one. Palmeiras has 25% of the press, the other 75% create narratives to cause confusion. Due to the work of recent managements, Palmeiras has never been so credible, respected, financially balanced, and athletically. We are not an old team, we have fewer resources than others, but through organization, valuing the squad, and structure, we can compete and fight for titles, which has been our saga. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose,” he declared.

Holidays and Focus on 2026

With the end of the Brazilian Championship, Palmeiras goes on vacation and will then focus on the 2026 season. In January, Verdão will debut in the Paulista Championship against Portuguesa, away from home, in a match scheduled for January 11.

“Now a period of mental and physical rest, to return to my roots and recharge my energies,” concluded Abel.

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