Raphael Veiga played the 2016 Brazilian championship for Coritiba and was instrumental in avoiding their relegation, albeit only scoring three goals and making three assists. As the season came to an end he was transferred to recently crowned Brazilian champions Palmeiras.
During his first year at the Big Green, the 22-year-old enjoyed few opportunities to show off his skills in a year that Palmeiras went through highs and lows and bagged no titles. In total, he played 1.247 minutes throughout the season and scored five goals
In 2018, Veiga went on loan to Athletico Paranaense. He was given more minutes on the pitch and this soon paid off: once more he became the central piece in a team, and Athletico lifted the Sudamericana trophy. Veiga was brought back to Palmeiras in 2019 but once more he disappointed and his exit was speculated at length. In November of 2020 Abel Ferreira arrived and everything changed.
Raphael Veiga, palmeirense since birth, has turned into our top scorer under the Portuguese manager: 32 goals and 11 assists. Goals spread out throughout the finals Palmeiras have played in the last couple of years: Brazilian Supercopa, Libertadores 2022, Club World Cup, Recopa; in each of these, he left his mark. If not a goal, an assist at least, as in both legs of the 2020 Copa do Brasil final against Grêmio.
Veiga revamped his career at Palmeiras and became the engine of Abel’s machine. Throughout the campaign for the third title of the Libertadores, he was Palmeiras’ attacking player with most touches (492), besides creating 14 chances (the most of any Palmeiras player).
As an extra, in a team with a terrible performance in penalty shootouts, Veiga stands out with a perfect track record from the spot. He has taken 16 penalties for Palmeiras in all competitions (excluding shootouts) and has converted ever single one, mixing up his style and placing the ball in different places each time.
Raphael Veiga, now aged 26, is at the peak of his career. Inexplicably, the man at the helm of the Brazilian National Team resists in giving him a chance in the Amarelinha. The supporters of Palmeiras surely are happy with Tite’s decision, since they won’t lose Veiga during FIFA dates, although they of course also would love to see Veiga fulfill another of his dreams.
Scoppia che la vittoria è nostra!
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by Augusto Anteghini Oazi
ANYTHING PALMEIRAS 