Santo Dérbi: prophecy and emotion in Marcos’ final Palmeiras title | OneFootball

Marcos reclaimed Palmeiras’ No 12 shirt to win his final title with the club in 2008, a campaign shaped by Vanderlei Luxemburgo’s conviction and the goalkeeper’s emotion. According to Nosso Palestra, the state triumph crowned his return from a difficult spell.

Injuries to thigh, shoulder and forearm blighted 2006 and 2007, cost him the World Cup and restricted him to 28 appearances. Fit again, he began 2008 behind Diego Cavalieri as Luxemburgo returned to the job after six years, targeting the Paulistão.

In February, the coach restored Marcos away to Guaratinguetá on Ash Wednesday. Palmeiras lost 3-0, yet Luxemburgo told the dressing room the performance merited more and that they would end up champions, team doctor Rubens Sampaio later recalled.

The side then found rhythm, including a 1-0 Dérbi win over Corinthians at Morumbi. Valdivia scored after a strike from Kleber, who was making his state debut having first featured for the club in the previous match against CENE in the Copa do Brasil.

The Paulista final with Ponte Preta at Palestra Italia brought a fervent team talk from the captain, who vowed not to lose. Palmeiras swept to a 5-0 victory as Marcos’ resurgence underpinned the club’s return to silverware.

Luxemburgo said his priority was to help the goalkeeper resume his career and he valued the titles they won together. Kleber later described Marcos as remarkably humble and called Palmeiras v Corinthians the biggest rivalry in the country.

Source: Nosso Palestra

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