Palmeiras, historic Brasileirão but worst Libertadores under Abel

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Nosso Palestra

·26 May 2026

Palmeiras, historic Brasileirão but worst Libertadores under Abel

Palmeiras continues to rack up historic milestones in the 2026 Brazilian Championship. After beating Flamengo 3-0 at the Maracanã, Verdão reached 38 points in 17 rounds and achieved the best start to a campaign in the club’s history in the round-robin era.

At the same time, however, Abel Ferreira’s team is experiencing an unusual scenario in the Libertadores. For the first time since the Portuguese coach arrived in November 2020, Palmeiras enters the final round of the group stage at risk of elimination.

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Best Brasileirão campaign of the Abel era

With 11 wins, five draws, and just one loss (38 points), Palmeiras surpassed the club’s own historic marks, including the 2009 and 2025 campaigns, both with 35 points after 17 matches.

In addition, Verdão extended its lead at the top of the Brasileirão to seven points and reached 11 matches unbeaten in the competition. Flamengo is in second place with 31 points — and one game in hand.

Check out the best campaigns in round-robin history after 17 rounds:

43 points – Botafogo (2023)
41 points – Corinthians (2017)
39 points – Flamengo (2025)
39 points – Cruzeiro (2014)
39 points – Atlético-MG (2012)
38 points – Palmeiras (2026)
38 points – Atlético-MG (2021)

The opposite scenario in the Libertadores

If the moment is historic in the Brasileirão, in the Libertadores Palmeiras is having its most delicate campaign under Abel Ferreira.

Second in Group F with eight points, Verdão needs at least a draw against Junior Barranquilla at Allianz Parque to secure a place in the round of 16.

To finish top of the group, in addition to beating the Colombian side, Palmeiras also needs Cerro Porteño to lose to Sporting Cristal. Understand the full math in this report.

It is the first time in the Abel era that the club has reached the final round of the group stage without qualification already secured. Take a look back at all the campaigns.