Holy derby: Chitãozinho and Xororó? Marcos has Palmeiras icon proof | OneFootball

Marcos’ arrival at Palmeiras in the early 1990s impressed those at the club, such as goalkeeper Marcelo Moreira and coach Carlos Pracidelli. Coming from the countryside for a trial period, the boy from Oriente, in the interior of São Paulo, drew attention not only for his physical build, but also for another characteristic.

Chitãozinho and Xororó

– First impression? A big guy, right? Tall, with that little long hairstyle like Chitãozinho and Xororó. When he started training, his technique really wasn’t very good, but his size was impressive. And he passed the trial – recalls Marcelo Moreira, a goalkeeper who made 14 appearances for Palmeiras between 1996 and 1999.

Marcos in the style of Chitãozinho and Xororó, in 1993

(Photo: Nelson Coelho)

Approved by his mentor

Throughout Marcos’ career, goalkeeping coach Carlos Pracidelli was the person who spent the most time alongside him at the club and with the Brazilian National Team. Besides their decades-long partnership, the approval for him to stay at Palmeiras after the trial also had the backing of the man then in charge of goalkeepers in the youth ranks.

– My relationship with Marcos basically begins in 1992, when he came for an assessment. At the time, I was the goalkeeper coach of Palmeiras’ amateur department, and every evaluation had to go through me. I remember it was in June 1992 when Marcos came to the Academy for the assessment. He spent a few days with me and ended up being approved. Then everything followed from there – Carlos Pracidelli told NOSSO PALESTRA.

Champion in the youth ranks

Marcelo and Marcos formed Palmeiras’ goalkeeping duo in the youth system, and in 1992 they won an important title for the club at junior level.

– Marcos established himself in the juniors, and we were champions together in 1992, after, I don’t know, I think more than ten years without Palmeiras winning a São Paulo youth title at junior level. Marcão was the starter and I was the backup. He was already making a name for himself there. So I had that moment with him – Marcelo comments.

Marcelo (top left) and Marcos (top right). Carlos Pracidelli is the second from left to right in the middle row (Photo: Personal Archive)

Supporting from afar and recognition

Marcelo Moreira, now 52, has lived in the United States for 13 years. He lives in Rochester, a city near Canada. By car, it is five and a half hours from New York City.

Last year, the former goalkeeper attended two Palmeiras matches at the Club World Cup, against Inter Miami in the group stage and Chelsea in the quarterfinals. At one of those matches, Marcelo was recognized by a fan. A goalkeeper coach, Marcelo works at universities and runs a summer program focused on the position.

Marcelo during the match against Inter Miami at the 2025 Club World Cup (Video: Personal Archive)

Saint 2

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