#Brazil’s Palmeiras faces uphill battle to win 1st FIFA Club World Cup crown
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Under coach #Abel Ferreira since 2020, Palmeiras lifted two #Copa Libertadores titles, plus #Brazilian league, cup, and state championships. Even earlier than Ferreira, it boasted one other South American crown and 11 league titles.
The solely main trophy lacking is a world champions’ title.
Other #Brazilian golf equipment like Fluminense and Botafogo, additionally within the match, have by no means received it both. But the issue for Palmeiras and its 16 million followers stems from its three native rivals, Corinthians, Sao Paulo, and Santos, having all received it a minimum of twice.
That has led to over twenty years of memes, jokes, and insults. It might all come again for the third time in 5 years for Palmeiras.
“It’s true that we have a 10% chance of winning this tournament,” Ferreira stated in early May. “So we’ll fight for these 10% starting with our first goal, getting through the group stage. We deserve to be there.”
Palmeiras certified as #2021 #Copa Libertadores winners. Its group stage rivals are Portugal’s Porto, Egypt’s Al Ahly, and #Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.
Fans like Matheus Flor sees a greater probability of “ending the world title curse” later this 12 months within the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, a shorter format with fewer groups, if Palmeiras wins its fourth #Copa Libertadores title.
“The shortened version is more feasible; playing a European team just once in a final gives us more hope,” Flor stated. “I’d spend money to go to #Dubai, #Tokyo, wherever, if I saw a chance of winning. This time, I think we’re not too excited because we know the joke will likely continue.”
Key Palmeiras gamers, like 18-year-old winger Estêvão, midfielder #Raphael Veiga, and defender #Gustavo Gómez, won’t stay after the match.
Palmeiras has had three earlier pictures at a world title. In 1999, they misplaced the Intercontinental Cup 1-0 to Manchester United. Twenty-two years later, they suffered a 1-0 semifinal defeat to Mexico’s Tigres within the Club World Cup, ending fourth. A 12 months later, extra heartbreak got here with a 2-1 additional time loss to Chelsea.
Many Palmeiras followers cling to the 1951 Copa Rio title as world champion standing, although FIFA doesn’t formally equate it with the Intercontinental Cup and trendy Club World Cup. That match noticed Palmeiras beat Juventus 3-2 on mixture.
Palmeiras completed the present #Copa Libertadores group stage with essentially the most factors and can also be contending for the league title.
Its first Club World Cup match is Sunday in opposition to Porto in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Most soccer followers in Sao Paulo will probably be watching.
Ever-hopeful Palmeiras fan Flor is happy his crew is as soon as once more the main focus of rivals.
“Of course we want to end the joke forever, but no club’s greatness depends on lifting this title. We’re already great, the biggest winner in #Brazil for a very long time,” Flor stated. “One day we’ll get it, and so they’ll all shut up.”
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