Leila: Palmeiras plan for 2026, recall tough 2025, "so close" | OneFootball

The president of Palmeiras, Leila Pereira, opened the presentation of midfielder Marlon Freitas this Thursday at the Football Academy, evaluating the last season. Leila admitted that the year 2025 was difficult and revealed that the management has been working to make adjustments to the team so that in 2026, they can score goals after hitting the post three times last year.

“I love new beginnings. It is a great joy to be with you presenting our first signing of the year. You know that 2025 was a difficult year for us. Why difficult? In 2025 we hit the post three times, three. This proves that not everything we did was incorrect. So, what are we doing this year? We are making some adjustments so that the ball doesn’t hit the post, the ball goes into the goal,” she continued.

Palmeiras endured three runner-ups

Palmeiras finished the 2025 season without any titles for the first time since 2020. Additionally, they suffered three runner-up finishes: Paulista, Brasileiro, and Libertadores. After a year of restructuring, the club is betting on targeted adjustments and the continuity of Abel Ferreira, who renewed until 2027.

“It was a difficult year for us because of this. It is very hard to reach the finals and not achieve our goal, which will always be winning titles. As I always say, I manage Palmeiras thinking about the best for our club and, above all, talking with the professionals who work here with us daily,” she declared.

“I do not follow external advice, which is why all our athletes and professionals have the highest level of tranquility to work. Only with tranquility can you detect the problems and try to solve them,” she continued.

Leila welcomes Marlon Freitas

Marlon Freitas is the first reinforcement for 2026. The 30-year-old player, who was at Botafogo, signed with Verdão until the end of 2028. Leila Pereira praised the athlete and welcomed him.

“We are starting the year 2026 in a very positive way, presenting this great athlete, Marlon, welcome, Marlon. He was the captain of Botafogo in winning the Brasileiro and Libertadores, a fantastic year,” she said.

“He was an athlete who was already on our radar and we finally managed to bring this great athlete who I have no doubt will help us a lot in our objectives, which is winning titles. This year will be quite challenging. Many competitions, a break in the middle of the year, and I am sure, Marlon, that you will be very happy and so will we. Count on the president, count on our support for whatever is necessary for us to achieve our objectives, which is always winning titles. Welcome,” she concluded.

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