Felipão and Abel Braga discuss coaching the rival across the Gre-Nal divide | OneFootball

Gre-Nal icons Luiz Felipe Scolari and Abel Braga reflected on whether they would ever cross the divide, as a new TV programme revisits their rivalry and friendship.

"I would have gone, I was ready for it. I admire Inter, a team I have always liked. I was born a Gremista and will never change, but I respect the rival," said Scolari in RBS TV’s Felipão & Abel: o encontro.

Now 77 and retired from coaching since 2024 after Atlético-MG, Scolari said Inter approached him twice. "He came to Gramado, where I have a house, and we talked, we almost agreed. Then there was a small problem and I did not go." He later took charge of Portugal in 2003.

Inter tried again in 2010 after Jorge Fossati was dismissed on 28 May, the day Scolari left Bunyodkor. "We invited him again after Fossati left, but he was abroad and would have had great difficulty returning to Brazil quickly," said former president Fernando Carvalho.

As for Abel, now 73, he said Grêmio never invited him. "If it was before my story, I would have gone. After that, no. Minimal chance. I am red in the soul. I was there in 1988, 1991 and 1995 and the bond became very strong."

Presented by Alice Bastos Neves, the programme also features Carlos Miguel and Carvalho, and airs on Friday night after Big Brother Brasil, two days before the first Gre-Nal of 2026.

Source: Globo.com