Santo derby: Marcos shines in the Libertadores, new car in garage | OneFootball

After helping Palmeiras eliminate Corinthians in the quarterfinals of the 1999 Copa Libertadores, Marcos still pulled off more miracles before the final. In the semifinal against River Plate, the No. 12 was Verdão’s best player in the 1-0 defeat in Buenos Aires. Thanks to him, Alviverde came back with only a minimal disadvantage, won 3-0 in the return leg, and advanced to the final.

An unprecedented final

Palmeiras’ starting goalkeeper for three months, Marcos played his first final for the club against Deportivo Cali of Colombia. After a 1-0 loss away from home, the decisive second leg took place on June 16, 1999, at Palestra Italia. Verdão won 2-1 in regular time, with goals from Evair and Oséas, and became champions on penalties, 4-3. On that occasion, one shot hit the post and Zapata’s decisive penalty went wide.

– Man, it was very important. The game there (in Colombia) was tough, but once again Marcão showed his quality, right? We lost the match, but we had so much confidence that we went into the locker room and everyone was motivated. It felt like we were going to win, man, because we knew that in the second leg, my brother, at Parque Antártica, with those fans from start to finish – recalls Oséas, speaking to NOSSO PALESTRA.

Leading role and a new car

Marcos’ journey in the Libertadores title run earned him the award for best player of the tournament. At the time, the winner received a brand-new Toyota, the Japanese automaker that sponsored the Libertadores.

– Marcos was the first goalkeeper in Libertadores history to receive the award as the best player, not as the best goalkeeper, but as the best player in the tournament. Because back then, the best player of the competition was usually the one who scored the goals, the forward who secured the title. In that edition, Marcos was chosen as the best player of the Libertadores – explains Carlos Pracidelli to NP. He remembers what Marcos did with the prize:

– His intention was really to share it with the group of players, but the players themselves said that he deserved that prize. Just as any one of us could have received it.

‘A living legend’

- Marcos is the greatest goalkeeper in Palmeiras history, because the greatest title in Palmeiras history in his generation is the title Palmeiras won because of him - says Paulo Vinícius Coelho, known as PVC, to NP.

For him, Marcos was responsible for coming off the bench, still in the group stage, leading Palmeiras to that unprecedented title, and becoming a Saint along the way.

– Marcos is a living legend – concludes PVC.

Saint 6

Read more

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