From Taça das Favelas to Palmeiras: meet Robson, U20 star defender | OneFootball

The young Robson saw his life undergo transformative changes in a short period of time. The defender started his football journey through social projects and the Taça das Favelas and now proudly defends the colors of Palmeiras. The Verdão bet on the 18-year-old, who became a two-time champion of the Brazilian Under-20 Championship at the end of August and established himself as one of the main leaders of the current squad.

Born in Guaianases, in the eastern zone of São Paulo, Robson had to work hard to reach the level he is at. Alongside his father, the defender delivered shoes and tools in Jandira, Carapicuíba, and Barueri, municipalities in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo. At 16, coming from social projects, he decided to pursue a career in football. He made a name for himself through the 2022 Taça das Favelas, where he defended Associação Esportiva Codó.

A year later, he took his first steps in professional football by being signed by Flamengo de Guarulhos, where he played in the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior and gained prominence. The defender caught the attention of Palmeiras, which spared no effort to sign him by the end of 2023. In an exclusive interview with Gazeta Esportiva, Robson revealed he is very proud of the initial directions of his career.

“It’s a feeling of great pride. Sometimes, I don’t even know how to explain how God has been so good in my life from then to now. It all happened very quickly too. I had important moments that I will never forget, I will always carry them for the rest of my life. In 2022, Copinha, Taça das Favelas… And reaching another level, which is Palmeiras, the Brazilian National Team even, the opportunity to train professionally with great players. It’s very significant for me and my whole family,” said the player.

“I always try to maintain my focus, my discipline, my total dedication. I know that for an athlete, going from a smaller club to reaching an elite club is not easy. There’s the adaptation, but with total dedication and focus, thank God I managed,” he added.

The Weight of the Decision on His Shoulders

Palmeiras' under-20 team played two important finals this season. The Verdão reached the final of the category’s Libertadores but ended up defeated. In the Brazilian Championship, the Crias da Academia, led by Robson, had a happy ending and came out with the title. Curiously, both finals went to penalties.

The grand final of the under-20 Libertadores took place on March 16 this year, at the Arsenio Erico Stadium in Asunción (Paraguay). On that occasion, Palmeiras was beaten by Flamengo on penalties, 3-2, after a 1-1 draw in regular time. Carbone, Daniel Sales, and Guilherme Gomes scored for the Carioca Rubro-Negro, while Gilberto and Luighi converted for Verdão.

Robson was a starter during the 90 minutes but did not take a penalty in the shootout. He recalled the runner-up finish but highlighted the importance of coach Lucas Andrade’s role in maintaining the team’s morale.

“Oh, there was that usual talk, where the coach [Lucas Andrade] usually says it’s over, now it’s time to move forward. Sad moment, there wasn’t much to say. He told us to always keep our heads in place, feet on the ground, because things would happen in the best way,” said the defender.

Robson during the under-20 Libertadores final (Photo: Fabio Menotti/Palmeiras/by Canon)

The prediction of the Verdão commander indeed came true. In August this year, Palmeiras played the grand final of the Brazilian Under-20 Championship against Red Bull Bragantino. In the first leg, held at the Cicero de Souza Marques Stadium, Verdão managed a 1-1 draw after falling behind. Yuri Leles scored for Massa Bruta, while Erick Belé, with a header, equalized the score.

In the return match at Allianz Parque, both teams ended 0-0, and the decision again went to penalties – an open wound for Palmeiras due to the runner-up finish in the under-20 Libertadores. The trauma, however, was overcome with a lot of work. The squad trained hard and, this time, came out on top in the penalty shootout.

“We always tried to keep our heads in place. The more we make mistakes, the more we have to work, for sure. When we left the Libertadores, on penalties, we saw how important it is to train penalties. And we always trained, but when we lost the Libertadores, when we left there, we started training penalties a lot, in every training session. Because, like it or not, it was very important, as you saw now, we were champions on penalties. You see the importance of working on this,” evaluated the defender.

It was on penalties, therefore, that Palmeiras became champions of the Brazilian Under-20 Championship. The Crias da Academia won 4-3. Thalys, Coutinho, and Marcio Vitor converted, while Riquelme Fillipi hit the post. Goalkeeper Aranha saved two penalties.

The responsibility of the decisive penalty fell on Robson’s shoulders. Wearing the captain’s armband, the defender walked slowly to the penalty spot, took the ball, and shot confidently, hard and down the middle. At that moment, a film played in the athlete’s mind, who managed to keep his head in place even amid such pressure.

“A film played in my head there. Having the opportunity to be deciding this moment was very important for me and for all of us. We work a lot and there’s no better way to have this responsibility of taking the penalty. I felt very happy and very proud,” he emphasized.

Robson in a decisive penalty shootout in the Brazilian Under-20 final (Photo: Fabio Menotti/Palmeiras/by Canon)

Did the Coach Like It?

The final of the Brazilian Under-20 Championship had a special fan present in one of the boxes at Allianz Parque. Coach Abel Ferreira and his assistant Vitor Castanheira watched the return leg of the decision.

Some players from the under-20 squad frequently train with the professional team and are used by the coach. Thalys, recently sold to Almería, was one of them. Benedetti, Gilberto, Erick Belé, Luighi, Riquelme Fillipi, and Robson himself have also had opportunities to work with the senior team.

According to Robson, Abel Ferreira did not have any direct conversation with the under-20 squad after winning the Brasileirão, but the defender hopes the team’s performance pleased the coach.

“No, no, he didn’t have any contact. But about liking it, I’m sure he did [laughs]. [About impressing him], I don’t know. We work, do our best, and our total focus is on the under-20. Leave that to them [laughs],” he commented.

Leadership in Focus

Robson has played 38 games for Palmeiras (36 as a starter) and scored one goal this season. The 1.89m defender stands out for his physical ability and presence, as well as his technical quality. But the defender, although very young, also has a characteristic that sets him apart from many players: leadership.

Even at just 18 years old, Robson was the captain of Palmeiras under-20 on several occasions this season. Without Gilberto on the field, he was the one who ‘took on the responsibility’ of wearing the armband in the return leg of the Brazilian category final.

“I think this leadership role comes a lot from myself. Being communicative, talking to people, with the players, being attentive, willing. Every time I have to ask, I ask. I’m always there, willing, because that’s what needs to be done, what needs to be said. If I need to help an athlete, I go there and correct. And so it goes,” he told Gazeta Esportiva.

Behind the boy who appeared calm and smiling during the nearly 20-minute chat, a great leader is hidden. Robson revealed that sometimes he also gives a scolding to his teammates when he believes it’s necessary.

Robson, in the center, with the captain’s armband of Palmeiras (Photo: Fabio Menotti/Palmeiras/by Canon)

“Oh, yes [if he gives scoldings]. You have to be a little annoying, yes [laughs]. I’ve had discussions with the goalkeeper. But what happened on the field stays on the field. I think it’s normal to have a discussion there on the field, but we can never take that outside [the pitch] and into the locker room. It’s about keeping your head in place, always. If you have to charge or if you have to listen, both parties have to open their ears,” he pondered.

Despite the small turbulences on the field, the atmosphere in the Verdão locker room is light. The group’s daily life is intense but filled with friendship. Robson, for example, is very close to Gilberto, Riquelme Fillipi, Coutinho, and Erick Belé – who is now training with the professional team.

“The daily life there is very important. Spending the day with these wonderful people, these great players. It’s also very intense,” he stated.

“Everyone is my friend, but one of the closest, with whom I usually chat daily and work out together, is Gilberto. He is my brother, truly. He is a sensational person that God put in my life. There’s also Riquelme [Fillipi], Coutinho, Erick Belé, who is in the professional team today. Benedetti was also with me a lot, but he ended up going to the professional team. These are the closest ones; I also had a lot of contact with Thalys, Allan. All the boys [laughs]. But the most intimate one is Gilberto,” concluded the defender.

Season Continuation

Robson’s Palmeiras now dreams of winning the Paulista Under-20 Championship. This Friday, starting at 3 pm (Brasília time), Verdão will seek qualification for the third phase of the State Championship, at home, against Sertãozinho. Alviverde won the first leg, away, 2-0.

“We are competing in the Paulista. We will try to do our best to reach the final again, be champions, but step by step. We will once again pursue the title,” projected Robson.

Palmeiras is chasing its 14th Paulista Under-20 title, having won six of the last eight editions of the tournament. In 2023, the Crias da Academia were crowned champions by beating São Paulo, winning both final games.

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