As if anything else was possible. The formal adieu of São Marcos will take place at the Pacaembu, 21pm, on the abovementioned date – this provided Palmeiras do not reach the final of the South America Cup: in that case the despedida is postponed to 13 December.
At the press conference with Marcos earlier today, we learnt a few more things about the event. Palmeiras will be composed of a mix of current player and players who participated in the 1999 Libertadores Cup triumph: Arce, Cleber, Edmilson, Euller, Evair, Galeano, Júnior, Oséas, Paulo Nunes, Rivarola, Sérgio, Veloso and Zinho are already confirmed. On the other side, the Brazilian World Cup champion squad of 2002 with names like Belletti, Cafu, Denilson, Edilson, Juninho Paulista, Luizão, Ricardinho, Vampeta and Ronaldo.
Marcos – at the time the undisputed keeper in both abovementioned squads – will not play one half for each side as previously speculated: a (in my opinion silly) paragraph in the club’s statutes does not permit that a player who has played against the club receives an honorary bust. And as Marcos is soon to be honoured with a bust at the grounds of the New Arena…
That little glitch aside, other surprises are being planned, which might include Marcos finishing the game playing in a forward position. As you will remember, he has never scored a goal in his entire career. Time for a miracle?
Tickets starting at US$30 and going as high as US$150 are already available to members of the Avanti supporter programme, with release for the general public on 15 November. Provided there are any left by then. My only hope. Fingers crossed.
ANYTHING PALMEIRAS 