Aníbal Moreno's future at Palmeiras uncertain after mixed season | OneFootball

The midfielder Aníbal Moreno couldn't replicate his good performance at Palmeiras as he did in 2024, his first year at the club. The Argentine fluctuated throughout the year and ended the season with the label of “villain“, due to mistakes in decisive moments for the team, especially in the second half of the year.

In his first season at Palmeiras, Aníbal Moreno surprised with his quick adaptation to Abel Ferreira's team, although he had already fluctuated at the end of the season when he had the most games in a single year. His good performance in the debut year earned him a renewal in January, until 2029.

Aníbal Moreno started the year as a starter, but soon during the Paulistão saw competition arrive in the sector with the signing of Emiliano Martínez. During the State Championship, the number 5 was a starter in only five matches. Throughout the year, he alternated between starting on the bench and being among the starting eleven.

He went as a starter to the Club World Cup, suffered a trauma to his left shoulder in the second round, became unavailable, was available for the knockout stages, but started both elimination games on the bench.

Aníbal goes from “heaven to hell” in the second half

Aníbal remained an important part of the team, but in the second half experienced ups and downs, with an unprecedented call-up to the Argentine national team and crucial mistakes for Palmeiras. For the national team, he played in a friendly match.

The most notable occurred in August, in the second leg of the Copa do Brasil round of 16. Palmeiras was losing 1-0 on aggregate, seeking a comeback at home, but saw Aníbal get sent off early in the match against Corinthians for a headbutt on José Martínez. Result: another defeat and elimination at Allianz Parque.

In October, in a direct confrontation against Flamengo in the Brasileirão, he made a passing error that led to an opponent's goal in the 3-2 defeat at Maracanã. After that, he committed a “childish” penalty in another loss, by the same 3-2 against Grêmio, in the South, when Verdão was still competing for the national title, a match that preceded the Libertadores decision.

The midfielder was on the bench in the continental decision and played in the last game of the year, against Ceará, when Abel Ferreira fielded a reserve team. In total, Aníbal played 55 games, 33 as a starter, and provided two assists. He received 13 yellow cards and one red.

Uncertain future

Despite the turbulence experienced, Aníbal Moreno attracted interest from River Plate, which made a proposal to sign the player. Palmeiras is now negotiating the sale of the 26-year-old midfielder to the Argentine team after two seasons.

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