Palmeiras and Botafogo decide World Cup spot in a less warlike atmosphere with Leila and Textor at peace

Table of Contents

Want to stay informed, have access to more than 60 columnists and exclusive reports? Subscribe to UD News here!

Palmeiras e Botafogo they have decided important titles in recent years and established a recent rivalry, driven by offenses and accusations among officials, in a warlike environment. Leila Pereira e John Textor they are at peace, and the players do not understand that there is an intense rivalry between the two teams that will decide on Saturday, starting at 1 PM, a spot in the quarterfinals of the tournament FIFA Club World Cup .

O Palmeiras advanced to the lead in Group A, and Botafogo, in second place in Group B, therefore, face each other in the knockout stage. Paulistas and cariocas The round of 16 of the tournament begins. We fight to be among the eight best in the competition. The stage for the Brazilian clash is the Lincoln Financial Field, a stadium with a capacity for 67 thousand spectators in Philadelphia.

Read also

• World Club Cup: Palmeiras has the best average attendance among Brazilian teams in the group stage
• Palmeiras and Botafogo face off again in a knockout match: 'Whoever doesn't advance will face pressure'

Both have already guaranteed US$ 4 million each (R$ 22 million) for performance in the first phase, in addition to US$ 15,21 million (R$ 84.3 million) only by the participation quota . Whoever goes on Wednesdays accumulates more US$ 7.5 million (R$ 41.6 million).

Textor e Leila they were mortal enemies to positioning directors on the same side. The American magnate accused, insulted, and threatened to sue the businesswoman. , who made consecutive rebuttals and never stopped responding to the accusations of the SAF botafoguense CEO.

She called him an "idiot" and "unbalanced" after the billionaire accused, without proof, a supposed manipulation of results in the 2023 Brazilian Championship games and mentioned Palmeiras.

The flare-ups are in the past, although the leaders are not exactly friends. There is a kind of non-aggression pact, an idea of not publicly exchanging insults as they did before.

Textor still wants to find Leila and hopes for more harmonious weather. For him, Leila is an example of business leadership and ahead of Palmeiras. "Leila deserves to be seen as much more than a woman," he said.

Abel Ferreira is one of the remaining key figures in the last important team clashes. He said he has not changed his preparation for the confrontation.

"Let's seek to block our opponent's forces and take advantage of the spaces that are hardest to defend in order to wound our opponent," added the Palmeiras coach.

Palmeiras does not see rematch and Botafogo rules out rivalry

Palmeirenses do not see the match as an opportunity to get revenge for the elimination from the 2024 Libertadores and the loss of the Brazilian Championship last year to Botafogo.

We don't see it as revenge , I see it as a very big decision. They are completely different championships, we don't think about what happened last year,” said the midfielder Maurício, one of the probable newcomers in the starting lineup among the starters. “We have the present in mind, so we need to study them in the best possible way. We have faced each other several times, we have better knowledge.”

Mauricio can take Raphael Veiga's spot, who had poor performances in the World Cup. In defense, Bruno Fuchs and Micael compete for the position left by the injured Murilo. Anibal Moreno has improved from a thigh edema and is available, it is unknown if he is available from the start of the game. Emiliano Martinez will be the starter if the Argentine cannot play the full 90 minutes.

The Botafogo fans also no longer mention the historical collapse that helped the green and white team win the 2023 Brazilian Championship, with a 4-3 comeback at the Engenhão, and they believe there hasn't been an intensified rivalry recently due to these encounters.

"I don't feel that rivalry, not at all. I think it's just another game, important because it's the Club World Cup. We are prepared for this challenge," emphasized Igor Jesus.

Midfielder Gregore, who is suspended, is the main absence for Botafogo. Defender Jair is questionable, according to head coach Renato Paiva himself. "A Brazilian team will advance and one will be eliminated. I would prefer if all four Brazilian teams could advance, it would be fantastic," said the Botafogo manager.

François Letexier will be the referee for the match. The 36-year-old Frenchman was elected the best referee in the world in 2024 by the IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics).