Dudu moved by Palmeiras fans’ chants: ‘They showed me so much love’ | OneFootball

The match between Palmeiras and Atlético-MG last Sunday (26) marked the reunion of Verdão’s fans with forward Dudu at Nubank Parque after his departure in 2024. The fans in the stadium chanted the player’s name before kickoff.

Dudu highlights his history at Palmeiras

On social media, the former Alviverde No. 7 spoke about the emotion of seeing the fans again and highlighted his successful spell at the club.

– Last night was very special. When I stepped onto the pitch and heard people shouting my name, I was very happy, proud, and emotional, because that reaction shows that the fans still have affection and respect for me, just as I have enormous love and affection for them and for the club. Today, I play for Galo, and I’m very grateful for the trust they place in me, and I will always respect Atlético, the fans, and fight for the institution every day until the last day of my contract. None of that stopped such a demanding fan base from applauding an “opponent.” Things like that prove to us that our sport is not just football, and it never will be. – he said

– I played for the club for 10 years, and anyone who knows me knows how I feel about Palmeiras and that I’m very grateful for everything I experienced there, both on and off the pitch. And yesterday, once again, I was able to feel how important my work and dedication were in some people’s lives, such as the children’s, for example. Even yesterday, some staff members who work at the club day to day hugged me and showed me a lot of affection. You can’t imagine how much these small gestures make me happy and extremely grateful. It means I built many relationships of friendship and respect, and they remain very strong, even with the passing of time. Anyway, that’s it. Thank you for everything. – he concluded

Arena record-holder

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

The numbers reinforce the bond built between the player and the 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.