Abel Ferreira in tears after Palmeiras’ historic Copa do Brasil progress

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·31 Oktober 2025

Abel Ferreira in tears after Palmeiras’ historic Copa do Brasil progress

Palmeiras is in the final of the 2025 Libertadores. The Alviverde, with a 4-0 victory over LDU this Thursday (30th), managed to overturn the 3-0 deficit suffered in the first leg still within regular time. Sosa, Bruno Fuchs, and Raphael Veiga, who scored twice, netted the goals for Palmeiras.

Thus, the Verdão managed to overturn the 3-0 loss suffered in Quito in the first leg, last Thursday (23rd), and became the first team to overturn such a deficit in the history of the competition – the aggregate score ended 4-3. Now, Palmeiras faces Flamengo in the final, in Lima, Peru, on November 29th.

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Abel Speaks!

After the match, Abel Ferreira commented on the match and Palmeiras’ current moment.

Magical Comeback

— When the game against Cruzeiro ended, I started praying — Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. But God told me: “Go do your part, because others will pray too.” It’s work and preparation. Over there, they were much better than us in the first half. We couldn’t even get into the game, nothing. Just look: at home, in the Libertadores, they hadn’t conceded a single goal. They took great advantage of the altitude; in some moments, it seemed like they were on motorcycles and we were standing still.

— In the second half, we corrected things, and even playing a bad game, we created chances not to come back with a 3-0. But I’ve been in Brazil long enough, at a club I’ve learned to love, and I know what the “chiqueiro” is. Too bad it’s not always like this, because when it is, it’s tough for those who come to play. It was a tactical and mental game; we had to be very focused. I think it was much more their merit than our weakness.

— We were hoping for a magical night, for them to be inspired. Sometimes they get sulky because they think they’re the protagonists when the game starts, which is a weak mentality — that’s not how it works. A squad has 23 players who are ready. Those who came in did very well.

Alan

I’m happy for Alan. He’s a kid who didn’t even play in the U-20s, but we had the chance to train with him and I told Barros he couldn’t leave. He can play as a number 8, he can play as a winger, he has incredible acceleration. He’s a good player, with an incredible commitment, incredible verticality. We don’t need to sell him, we’ve already sold a lot. I’m sure he’ll be recognized for what he’s done. I spoke with him these days, asked about his salary; he’s one of the lowest paid, and Barros said they’ll take care of it. He really deserves it, he’s a great man. I’m happy for him — it’s his merit. He was the one who, by himself, won the penalty, but it’s true that everyone contributed today. Every day, the staff wore the shirt, they had posters.

The Greatest Comeback in History

— I still can’t enjoy the victories. I think every day that I need to prove the place I deserve. I can’t think about proving something to someone else — only to myself, to my players, and to my staff, that I can be where I am. To represent 16 million fans.

— I don’t know if I’ll always be able to get this kind of victory. I hate losing, that’s why I’m such a bad loser. At the end of the game, the feeling was relief. I need to hug my daughter, who isn’t with me, she’s in Portugal. You are very family-oriented, and so am I. Family is the foundation of everything. I cried, and I’m crying now. I don’t like to show my weak side, but that’s how it is: it’s a relief.

Raphael Veiga and the First Leg

— A refrigerator. We played very badly there, and in that game, I was one of those responsible. I came up with a game plan and it didn’t work. I spent three days upset with myself. — he said about the first leg.

He knows I have great affection and love for him. There are many ways to be a protagonist, and that anger makes him do things for himself and for our team. He’s a player who scores goals. Sometimes you have to find the button to charge him up and get him going. I’m grateful to have a man like him. I’m sure he’s upset with me, he called me everything, wanted to play. But I’m happy for him.

— Several players messaged me today, saying we were capable of turning it around. And I said: if you had to bet on a team to come back, which one would you bet on? Being realistic. Congratulations to our players. And let’s go, because Sunday there’s more.

First Comeback

— There have been many firsts here. Sometimes I get it right, sometimes I get it wrong. The truth is, we had to surprise them. We needed inverted feet to cut inside. We had a magical night. But sometimes it doesn’t work out, like in the game over there. I couldn’t help them. We knew that there, they hadn’t conceded goals. As I said: I love hearing that something has never happened. That’s gasoline, it’s fuel for us. Of course we can lose.

Final Against Flamengo

— Look, it’s a great rival, with great players. I hope it’s a great final. They got here because of their quality. Whoever is in the final is here on merit — look at our journey. Once again, we tell our story. We have only one defeat and could have missed the final. It’s one of the rivals. Cruzeiro is an excellent team. Now, speaking of the Libertadores: two competent teams. But football isn’t about who invests more, who spends more. We’re also fighting for the Brazilian league. That makes me proud. In the last four or five years, we’ve always been competing.

Five Years of Palmeiras

Leila knows what I want. I can’t say I wasn’t hurt by what I heard from the fans — I was. I wasn’t expecting it. Leila, there’s no point in signing, because I won’t sign if I don’t have the conditions to stay at Palmeiras. Many clubs call me. It’s tough in Brazil, because you journalists are tough, some cross the line, and sometimes I wonder if this is what I want to continue doing. But, looking at the club, Palmeiras is an oasis. Leila knows what I want. They know how much I want to stay here. But I don’t want to be tied down by a contract. I thought it would be five months and it’s been five years. I don’t need anything signed. For me, a verbal agreement is enough. I’ve already said: the contract was done in seconds, but at the right time.

And Now?

Palmeiras reaches the final for the seventh time, making it the sixth club with the most finals in the competition and the Brazilian team with the most appearances – the team now matches Independiente-ARG, River Plate-ARG, and Olimpia-PAR, all with seven, behind only Peñarol-URU, with 10, and Boca Juniors-ARG, with 12.

Besides the Libertadores, whose final will be on November 29th between Palmeiras and Flamengo, in Lima, Peru, Palmeiras is also competing in the Brazilian Championship. In the Brasileirão, Verdão returns to the field next Sunday (2nd), against Juventude, at Alfredo Jaconi, at 6:30 pm (Brasília time). The team leads with 62 points in 29 matches, one point ahead of second-placed Flamengo.

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