Santo derby: Marcos makes his mark, earns Brazil call in debut year | OneFootball

The year of Marcos's first appearance in a professional match for Palmeiras came in 1996, during the Campeonato Paulista. Although he had taken part in the 4-0 win over Esportiva de Guaratinguetá in a friendly played in 1992, it was during the memorable title run of the hundred-goal attack that the youngster from Oriente truly showed his credentials.

Calling card

His first match as a professional was on March 30 against XV de Jaú at Palestra Italia. But it was in May that Marcos truly introduced himself to Palmeiras fans. Again at home, the then-backup to Velloso saved a penalty in the 4-0 rout of Botafogo-SP. He was also Vanderlei Luxemburgo's choice to finish off the victorious campaign in the title celebration match, once again against XV de Jaú.

Run as starter

During a training-ground incident at the Academia de Futebol in August 1996, Marcos and Velloso collided and the first-choice keeper got injured. As a result, the number 12 earned his first run as a starter. He played 14 matches, with nine wins, three draws, and only two losses in the Brasileirão and Copa Conmebol.

Two of those matches were derbies, against Santos and São Paulo, respectively. Palmeiras won 2-1 on both occasions, and his first Dérbi only came the following year.

Call-up

His strong start in a Palmeiras shirt earned him his first call-up to the Brazil national team. Marcos was selected by Zagallo for a friendly against Lithuania in October, in Teresina, Piauí. It was his first experience with the senior team, and Zetti, then at São Paulo, started in the 3-1 win, with all three goals scored by Ronaldo. Flávio Conceição and Djalminha, Marcos's Palmeiras teammates, were also on the list and played against the Europeans.

– He came in (as a starter) and was called up by Zagallo. That had a lot to do with the fact that he had a history with Brazil's youth national teams. He was Dida's great rival, and Dida was world champion in 1993, Under-20 world champion. Marcos ended up not going to that World Cup, but the one competing with Dida for the spot at that time was already Marcos – recalls journalist Paulo Vinícius Coelho, PVC, to NOSSO PALESTRA.

Conversation and return to the bench

After recovering from injury, Velloso was available again for Vanderlei Luxemburgo in October 1996, and after a conversation between the then goalkeeping coach, Valdir Joaquim de Moraes, and Marcos, it was decided that he would return to the bench. As a result, Velloso finished the year with a run of 11 matches until the elimination against Grêmio in the Brasileirão quarterfinals.

– When Velloso came back, he returned as the starter. I think there was a hierarchy there that had to be respected – PVC concludes.

Santo 3

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