Dudu meets Palmeiras at Nubank Parque after bitter exit, records on line | OneFootball

Palmeiras host Atlético-MG this Sunday (26) at 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at Nubank Parque, in the 20th round of the Brazilian Championship. In addition to kicking off the second half of the competition, the match will be marked by Dudu’s return to Palmeiras’ stadium for the first time since leaving the club at the end of 2024.

One of the biggest names in Verdão’s recent history, the forward left Palmeiras after a season marked by turbulence. In mid-2024, he went through a series of episodes that cast doubt on his future at the club. Despite the controversies, he remained with the squad until the end of the season and officially said goodbye months later.

After leaving Palmeiras, Dudu joined Cruzeiro, where he stayed for a short period. He was then signed by Atlético-MG. At the Minas Gerais club, he also faced moments of pressure, was criticized by the fans, and was even linked with a possible move to Atlético-GO during the last transfer window.

This Sunday’s match will be Dudu’s first reunion with Palmeiras at Nubank Parque, the venue where he built much of his successful career with the club. Over nearly a decade wearing the green-and-white shirt, the forward played a direct role in the team’s biggest achievements, including titles in the Brazilian Championship, the Copa do Brasil, the Libertadores, the Recopa Sudamericana, and the Paulista Championship.

Arena record holder

Even after his departure, Dudu remains the biggest name in Nubank Parque history in several categories. The forward is the player with the most appearances at the stadium, with 206 matches, and also the athlete with the most wins there, totaling 144 victories. He also comfortably leads the assists ranking, with 50 goal passes, and stands as the arena’s second-highest scorer, with 40 goals. These numbers cement the legacy of the former No. 7 as one of the greatest leading figures in the history of Palmeiras’ home.

The numbers reinforce the bond built between player and stadium during his time with Verdão. It was at the then Allianz Parque, now Nubank Parque, that Dudu delivered some of the most memorable performances of his career, establishing himself as one of the greatest idols in the club’s history.

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