Leila Pereira of Palmeiras celebrates Flamengo’s double runner-up year | OneFootball

Palmeiras was runner-up to Flamengo twice in 2025

The 2025 season was ‘magical’ for Flamengo. However, it is also a reason for “pride” for Palmeiras, runner-up in the Libertadores and the Brasileirão to the Most Beloved. The president of the São Paulo team, Leila Pereira, made a point of highlighting last year's failures.

— It wasn't frustrating. It wasn't. The club that reaches three championships as runner-up is not frustrating. But we got there. I am very proud of these runner-up positions. This year (2026), it was important for us to start by winning the Paulista, it is the result of work not only from this year, it is the work of years that we always reach. During my term, I don't know what it's like not to reach a Paulista final. We started very well —, said Leila, this Monday (09).

WHAT WERE PALMEIRAS' THREE RUNNER-UP POSITIONS LAST YEAR?

In 2025, even investing R$ 700 million, Palmeiras won nothing. They lost the final of the Campeonato Paulista to Corinthians, fell in the decision of the Libertadores with a goal by Danilo and received the silver medal in the Brasileirão, also behind Flamengo.

On the other hand, the Most Beloved lifted six trophies in 2025: Carioca, Supercopa, Brasileirão, Libertadores, Dérbi das Américas, and Copa Challenger. Now, in 2026, the teams start tied. This is because Palmeiras won the Paulistão, and Flamengo claimed the Carioca.

HOW ARE FLAMENGO AND PALMEIRAS IN THE BRASILEIRÃO?

With the end of the state championships, the teams now focus on the Brasileirão. Flamengo, with one game less, has four points and is in 11th place. Meanwhile, Palmeiras leads the competition with ten points. The Rubro-Negro faces Cruzeiro in the round, at Maracanã; and Leila Pereira's team takes on Vasco, at São Januário.

WHAT TIME WILL FLAMENGO VS CRUZEIRO BE, AFTER ALL?

In pursuit of Palmeiras at the top of the Brasileirão, Flamengo faces Cruzeiro starting at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), at Maracanã. If there is Mengão on the field, then there is full coverage from Coluna do Fla, directly from the Sacred Temple of world football.

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