Palmeiras start Brasileiro with new signing, Marlon Freitas leads | OneFootball

Palmeiras begins the 2026 Brazilian Championship this Wednesday (28) with only one officially confirmed signing so far: the midfielder Marlon Freitas, announced on January 4. The player, however, has already been proving his worth at the start of the season, being one of the highlights for Verdão in the Paulista Championship.

With only four matches played for Palmeiras, Marlon Freitas is internally seen as a player with quick adaptation, and in the locker room, capable of taking an active role in conversations with teammates, a leadership he has carried since his time at Botafogo.

Change of Course

Originally a number 8, but playing as a 5 alongside Andreas Perreira – or Larson, while Andreas was injured – the adaptation changed some of Palmeiras' paths in the transfer market. The initial idea of the management was to look for a defensive midfielder to fill the space left by Aníbal Moreno, who was transferred to River Plate.

However, Marlon's immediate impact, combined with other squad movements, led the Football Department to reconsider this planning. Besides him, the good response from the newly promoted Luis Pacheco and the arrival of the former Botafogo captain made Palmeiras adjust their strategy in the market. Today, the internal assessment is that the search for a number 5 is no longer an immediate priority. In addition to the duo, the sector also includes Emiliano Martínez.

Business Model

The midfielder, who came from two seasons as captain of Botafogo, where he was a key player in the titles of the Brazilian Championship and the Libertadores in 2024, was hired to strengthen the midfield after the departure of Aníbal Moreno. The 30-year-old player signed a contract until December 2028, for about 6 million dollars (approximately R$ 33 million) to Botafogo.

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