Santo derby: ‘Profexia’ and emotion in Marcos’s last title for Palmeiras

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Nosso Palestra

·26 August 2026

Santo derby: ‘Profexia’ and emotion in Marcos’s last title for Palmeiras

The years 2006 and 2007 were difficult for Marcos wearing the Palmeiras shirt. Problems with his thigh, shoulder, and forearm kept him out of the World Cup, and he took the field only 28 times. Recovered, he began 2008 on the bench behind Diego Cavalieri.

Luxemburgo’s plan

Back at the club after six years, Vanderlei Luxemburgo faced the challenge of coaching Palmeiras and winning another title with the club. With Marcos recovered but still on the bench, the coach set a goal of having the goalkeeper available for the Paulista Championship.

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– When I returned to Palmeiras, I had the pleasure of working with him once again and helping him recover. People wanted to stop him right there, and I worked so he could have a professional life, so he could continue as a professional athlete. His role in his last title was important, as were the titles we won together – comments Vanderlei Luxemburgo, in an interview for the Santo Dérbi special by NOSSO PALESTRA.

‘Vanderlei was a guy who made a difference, because he used to tell Marcão: “The goalkeeper who saves the match ball is you,” because Marcão would argue with him: “Diego is damn good,” and that was fine, but he would say, “The goalkeeper who saves the match ball is you”’ Rubens Sampaio, former Palmeiras doctor, on Marcos’ return to the starting lineup in 2008

‘Prophecy’

After an inconsistent start in the Paulista Championship, Vanderlei Luxemburgo decided to start Marcos as early as February, against Guaratinguetá, away from home, on Ash Wednesday. The result, however, was not what they had hoped for. A 3-0 defeat, but with a message of optimism from Vanderlei Luxemburgo in the locker room, even after the heavy loss.

– At some point there, with the way the game went, Vanderlei thought we had played well, because I remember him in the locker room after that match saying that the result didn’t reflect how we had played. I remember, in his way, I’ll say it now: “You can write down what I’m saying, we’re going to be champions. I’m telling you, we’re going to be champions” – recalls Rubens Sampaio, to NP.

Palmeiras on a roll and “crying”

After the loss to Guaratinguetá, Palmeiras went on a positive run that included a 1-0 win in the derby against Corinthians at Morumbi. The goal was scored by Valdivia after a shot from Kleber, who made his debut wearing the Verdão shirt in the state tournament. Newly arrived, the striker had made his first appearance in the previous match, against CENE, in the Copa do Brasil.

– Marcos is one of the most incredible guys I’ve ever met in football, a guy with unbelievable humility – recalls Kleber Gladiador, about living alongside Marcos.

‘It’s the biggest derby in the country, in my opinion. I played in several, I played Cruzeiro vs. Atlético, I played Inter vs. Grêmio, but for me, Palmeiras vs. Corinthians is the biggest derby in the country. It stops the state, the city of São Paulo above all. It affects everyone, regardless of the competition. When it’s Corinthians and Palmeiras, nobody cares whether it’s for the Paulista, whether it’s for the Copa São Paulo. It’s a derby that really moves an entire country’ Kleber, on what the Dérbi represents

Emotion

The Paulista Championship final between Palmeiras and Ponte Preta was marked by Marcos’ emotional speech before the team stepped onto the pitch at Palestra Italia with the words: “I’m not losing to Ponte Preta, no way in hell.” The previous years had left their marks on the captain, who let it all out before the decisive match and the 5-0 rout.

– I think Marcão, man, there in that final, I think a whole movie went through his head, you know? He was a guy who, as I said, had a huge connection with Palmeiras, he’s a fan of the club, right? A whole movie of everything he had been going through must have gone through his head there, right? – concludes Kleber, who was part of that final and became champion with Palmeiras.