Relive Palmeiras' title at Itaquera with Endrick, Kevin and co | OneFootball

Four years ago, Palmeiras lifted the Brazilian Under-20 Championship trophy right in Itaquera. On September 25, 2022, Verdão beat Corinthians 1-0 at Neo Química Arena and won the national title in the category.

The title-winning goal was scored by Endrick, then just 16 years old. The forward received the ball at the edge of the box and hit a beautiful shot to secure the title for Palmeiras.

Four years later, that final draws even more attention because of the number of players who were on the field — or on the bench — and later made it to professional football.

The championship-winning team in Itaquera

Coached by Paulo Victor Gomes, Palmeiras took the field with Kaique; Garcia, Henri, Michel and Ian; Naves, Pedro Lima and Jhon Jhon; Kevin, Edney and Endrick.

During the match, Vitinho, Léo, Ruan Ribeiro and Miguel also came on.

It was a team that already had several names being closely monitored by the senior squad. At that point, Garcia, Naves, Jhon Jhon and Fabinho had already been given opportunities by Abel Ferreira, while Endrick was beginning to gain space among the professionals.

Endrick became a Real Madrid player. Kevin plays for Fulham. Jhon Jhon is at Zenit. Naves plays for Necaxa, while Pedro Lima plays for Sporting CP.

Another member of that generation, Allan, currently at Manchester City, was also part of the Palmeiras squad — but there’s an interesting detail: he watched the entire final from the bench.

Endrick decided the Derby

The final was played as a single match in Itaquera after Corinthians earned the right to host it by having the better campaign in the competition.

The first half ended goalless. Palmeiras even hit the post in one of the main chances of the opening half, in a move involving Henri and finished by Pedro Lima.

Then Endrick appeared. The forward, who had already scored twice in the semifinal against Athletico-PR, found space at the edge of the box and struck from outside the area to put Palmeiras ahead.

A generation that promised — and delivered

At the time, Endrick was regarded as one of the biggest gems of Palmeiras’ academy. Jhon Jhon was Verdão’s top scorer in the tournament with seven goals, while Kevin had five. Pedro Lima was also one of the team’s standout players.

Endrick left Palmeiras for Real Madrid. Kevin crossed the ocean to play in England. Jhon Jhon went to Russia. Pedro Lima moved to Portuguese football. Naves continued his career abroad.

Corinthians also had a strong youth generation

Danilo’s Corinthians also had a number of players who later made their mark in football.

The team included names such as Murillo, now at Nottingham Forest, as well as Wesley, Breno Bidon, Léo Mana, Ryan, Pedro, Kayke, Matheus Araújo, Arthur Sousa and Guilherme Biro.

Murillo, Léo Mana, Matheus Araújo and Pedro were some of the names highlighted before the final. Pedro, in fact, was regarded at the time as one of the biggest gems of Corinthians’ academy.

And just like Allan at Palmeiras, Breno Bidon also watched the entire final from the bench.

A final that took on another meaning

Four years later, the final in Itaquera has taken on even greater significance. Palmeiras lifted the trophy with Endrick, Kevin, Jhon Jhon, Naves and Pedro Lima on the field, while Allan followed the match from the bench.

On the other side, Corinthians also had a generation that later sent several players into professional football, such as Murillo, Wesley, Pedro, Léo Mana, Matheus Araújo, Arthur Sousa, Guilherme Biro and Breno Bidon — who, like Allan, watched the entire final from among the substitutes.

For Paulo Victor Gomes, coach of that Palmeiras team, the final helps show the quality of that generation and the path those players took in the following years.

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