Marlon Freitas already leading as Palmeiras start Brasileiro with one signing | OneFootball

Palmeiras open the 2026 Campeonato Brasileiro on Wednesday with only one official signing so far, midfielder Marlon Freitas. Announced on four January, he has already impressed in the Campeonato Paulista.

According to Nosso Palestra, after just four matches he is viewed internally as a rapid adaptor and a vocal presence in the dressing room, reflecting the leadership he showed at Botafogo.

A No eight by trade, he has operated as a No five alongside Andreas Perreira, or Larson while Andreas was injured. That adaptation prompted a rethink of plans to recruit a holding midfielder to replace Aníbal Moreno, who moved to River Plate.

His instant impact, together with other internal moves, has reshaped priorities. The good response from newly promoted Luis Pacheco, and the arrival of Botafogo’s former captain, mean a specialist No five is no longer viewed as an urgent need. The midfield group also includes Emiliano Martínez.

The 30-year-old signed a deal through December 2028 after joining for about six million dollars, approximately R$ 33 million, paid to Botafogo. He arrived off two seasons as Botafogo captain and was a central figure in their 2024 Brasileiro and Libertadores title wins.

Source: Nosso Palestra