Paulista crown hails new generation of champions at Palmeiras and raises hopes for 2026 | OneFootball

Palmeiras won the Paulistão for the 27th time, beating Novorizontino 2-1 on Sunday in Novo Horizonte.

Globo.com notes the success has heightened expectations around a new generation hoping for more trophies in 2026.

New arrivals Jhon Arias and Marlon Freitas lifted their first trophy with the club, serial winners at Fluminense and Botafogo. Palmeiras spent almost R$ 200 million to sign them for 2026, R$ 155 million for the Colombian and R$ 35 million for the midfielder, underlining hopes for major honours this season.

A push for experience drove the recruitment, with the squad short of players used to big occasions. Many celebrated their first Palmeiras title, and only five remained from the 2024 Paulistão win, Marcelo Lomba, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo, Piquerez and Flaco López, along with head coach Abel Ferreira.

For Allan, Aranha, Arthur, Benedetti, Carlos Miguel, Giay, Lucas Evangelista, Luighi and Maurício, this was the first trophy of their careers, a blend of academy products and signings ending droughts.

It was their first trophy since 2024, when they beat Santos 2-0 for a 26th state crown. Raphael Veiga and Aníbal Moreno scored, and Endrick stood out.

Afterwards they were runners-up in the Brasileirão and out early to Botafogo and Flamengo, eventual Libertadores and Copa do Brasil winners. In 2025 came three runners-up, the Paulistão to Corinthians, the league and Libertadores to Flamengo, plus a Copa do Brasil exit to Corinthians.

Palmeiras now refocus on the league, top with 10 points, and visit São Januário on Thursday at 19:30.

Source: Globo.com