Flaco López steps up at Palmeiras, World Cup spot in sight

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Nosso Palestra

·10 Mei 2026

Flaco López steps up at Palmeiras, World Cup spot in sight

Flaco López is enjoying his best spell since arriving at Palmeiras four years ago and reached an important milestone in the win over Sporting Cristal in the Libertadores last Tuesday (5): the striker reached 20 direct goal contributions in the 2026 season.

In 30 matches played so far, Flaco has scored 13 goals and provided seven assists, establishing himself as Verdão’s main attacking name in the first five months of the year.

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A regular presence in Argentina’s national team call-ups since October 2025, the player is hitting top form just months before the final squad announcement for the 2026 World Cup. Thanks to his performances for Palmeiras, the chances of him appearing on coach Lionel Scaloni’s final list are growing.

Palmeiras’ top scorer in the last two seasons, with 22 goals in 2024 and 25 in 2025, the Argentine renewed his contract with the club until 2029 and is going through a period of rising market value, something that should increase even more if he is called up for the World Cup.

With Vitor Roque out injured, Flaco has taken on even more of a starring role in Palmeiras’ attack, which had previously been shared with Tigrinho. Wearing the No. 42 shirt, he has scored in three of the last four matches and has been forming the attack alongside Ramon Sosa, who has three goals and one assist in the last five games.

“I treat him like a son,” says Abel

After the win over Sporting Cristal, a curious scene involving Abel Ferreira and Flaco López caught attention. The Portuguese coach was seen making an obscene gesture toward the striker during the match.

After the game, Abel explained that it happened jokingly after being teased by the player himself.

“He’s the player I get on the most. Did you see him giving me a thumbs-up like that? I made a gesture at him because I demand a lot from him,” the coach said.

Abel also reinforced his admiration for the striker and highlighted the No. 9’s potential.

“He has everything to become a world-class center-forward, but at Palmeiras. I treat him as if he were a son,” he added.

According to the coach, the daily demands are part of the Argentine’s development process.

“I explain things to him in the morning, in the afternoon, and at night. I send him videos on WhatsApp,” Abel Ferreira revealed.

Flaco López returns to the pitch for Palmeiras this Sunday (10) at 4 p.m. (Brasília time) against Remo at Mangueirão, in Pará, in the Brazilian Championship.

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