Gustavo Gómez’s Palmeiras centre-back partners, every pairing since 2018 | OneFootball

Since arriving in August 2018, Gustavo Gómez has become a cornerstone of Palmeiras, captaining title-winning sides and lining up with numerous centre-backs. His partnerships trace the club’s changing cycles over the years.

According to Nosso Palestra, his early pairings in 2018 featured Luan, Edu Dracena and Antônio Carlos. Felipão alternated combinations between the league and knockout games, using Gómez with Luan in one team and Antônio Carlos with Dracena in the other.

In 2019 the Paraguayan partnered Luan, Vitor Hugo, Dracena and Antônio Carlos. The Gómez and Luan axis fully settled in 2020, leading the defence in the Libertadores, Copa do Brasil and Paulista triumphs, while Alan Empereur and Benjamín Kuscevic rotated. In 2021 Luan stayed first choice, with Kuscevic and Renan also used.

Murilo’s arrival in 2022 opened a new phase, he quickly became a starter and formed one of Brazil’s stingiest rearguards with Gómez. In 2023 Murilo was the most frequent partner, with Luan and Naves filling in. In 2024 Murilo remained first choice, Naves covered, and Vitor Reis stepped in for a sustained run while Murilo dealt with fitness issues.

Across 2025 and 2026 Murilo has been the usual partner, with academy options used, and Bruno Fuchs, Benedetti and Alexander Barboza also featuring. Barboza arrived as Murilo rediscovered form and is competing for minutes alongside the captain. The standout pairing remains Gómez with Luan, past 100 games together by 2021, while in recent years Murilo has shared that mantle, helping deliver league and state titles since 2022.

Source: Nosso Palestra