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Playing before 40.986 spectators, a new attendance record at the Allianz Parque, Palmeiras were Palmeiras like throughout most of 2016: confident, in control, sufficiently efficient to secure the three points against Chapecoense and the 2016 Brazil championship title. The only goal was right-back Fabiano’s, and what a beautiful goal. His first for Palmeiras, one that will be remembered forever.
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Who contributed the most to this title, arriving after 22 long years of waiting?
Jailson, the 35-year-old who had never played a first division game in his life and stepped up in August, when Fernando Prass was injured in late July, to support an 18-games-streak of invincibility?
Dudu, the hotheaded forward who matured after receiving the captain’s armband to become the player with most assists in this year’s edition of the Brasileirão?
Tchê-Tchê, who last year seriously considered abandoning football for the lack of opportunities, today a given on the midfield on any Palmeiras starting eleven?
Moisés, “hidden away” in Croatia, ridiculed upon arriving, today considered the greatest surprise of the championship?
Gabriel Jesus, who’s splendid first half of the championship set the pace for the title race?
Jean, the experienced, polyvalent, hard-working leader?
Yerry Mina, who went straight into the starting eleven, scored, was injured, came back to score more and form a massive centre lock with Vítor Hugo?
Zé Roberto, the living myth, at 42 the heart and soul of the squad, always reminding us of the GIANT called Palmeiras?
Cuca, the prophet, the professional, the father, who knows how to create a family not through external enemies but common aspirations?
Alexandre Mattos, the director of football who contracted all the aforementioned pieces and then some?
Paulo Nobre, the club president who in four years took Palmeiras from rags to riches?
Palmeirenses near and far, tirelessly reinventing the art of supporting the team, standing ground against everything and everyone, including friendly fire?
None. All. That is what is so special about this campaign: it is a truly collective effort like seldom seen. And unbelievably well deserved.
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I still need to come down. Pictures and videos of the magnificent celebration – all over São Paulo and all over the world – only in a day or two.
Scoppia che la vittoria è nostra!
ANYTHING PALMEIRAS 