Palmeiras endure first trophyless season under Abel in a year of rebuilding | OneFootball

The Palmeiras endured its first trophyless season since 2020 in 2025. Consequently, it was the first year without achievements under coach Abel Ferreira's leadership. Last Wednesday, Verdão defeated Atlético-MG 3-0, but couldn't prevent Flamengo from winning the title, ending up as the runner-up for the third time that year.

The previous Saturday, the green-and-white team dealt with the frustration of being the Libertadores runner-up, also against Flamengo. The red-and-black team triumphed 1-0 at the Monumental U Stadium in Lima, Peru. In the first half of the year, Verdão had already finished as the runner-up in the Paulista Championship.

This season, Palmeiras underwent the biggest overhaul in recent years. Abel Ferreira, who took over the club at the end of 2020, built a team in his own image after a R$ 700 million investment by the management in signing 11 players.

The last semester, in particular, revolved around the uncertainty of whether coach Abel Ferreira would stay. The Portuguese coach's contract with Verdão only lasts until the end of this season, but he has already revealed that he gave his word to president Leila Pereira that he will remain with the team for the next year and attempt a comeback with his “new” squad.

“I only have one word and I gave my word to the president. From the game against Corinthians, I gave my word to the president because she understands that I am the coach of the project, who led the overhaul of this team, and it is her (Leila's) wish that I continue until 2022. I always said I would not be a problem for Palmeiras, but a solution. Above all, the president has already said it several times,” Abel emphasized after the victory over Atlético-MG.

Decline in performance at a crucial moment

After overcoming the frustrations of being the runner-up in the Paulista and the early elimination in the Copa do Brasil, both against Corinthians, Palmeiras seemed strong in the Brazilian Championship and the Libertadores. However, in a decisive sequence, especially in November, they saw the trophies slip away.

When they could have maintained the lead and even opened a gap from Flamengo, their performance declined, resulting in a sequence of three draws and two losses right before the Libertadores final. In the final, they were no match for the Rio team and once again finished as the runner-up.

“Even after all the changes throughout the year, with seven players joining at the start of the year, five players in the middle, with injuries and everything else, we were still able to compete consistently. We had a three-point lead in this championship. We weren't able to hold onto it. But I can't say that after everything that happened, and I can ask or you can ask how long does it take to overhaul a team? We competed and fought until the end to win in all,” analyzed Abel.

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