The Brazilian league’s most consistent squad of the year successfully defended its championship on Wednesday, while the team that once welcomed the late Pelé was demoted for the first time, capping one of the league’s most thrilling seasons.
For the twelfth time, Palmeiras emerged as Brazilian champions after a 1-1 draw at Cruzeiro. At the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, the 18-year-old Endrick gave Palmeiras the early advantage with his 11th goal of the season. Nikao equalized in the 80th minute.
In the same stadium where Pelé’s burial was held in January, Santos suffered another setback when they were demoted after losing to Fortaleza 2-1 at home.
Palmeiras won this year’s championship after rival Botafogo blew a 13-point lead in the rankings and striker Endrick, who is expected to sign with Real Madrid, scored multiple important goals.
After winning his second Brazilian league title with Palmeiras, Endrick told reporters, “People said I won this, but I wouldn’t be able to do this by myself.” “I was furious at the beginning of the year and gave too much weight to what other people thought. I should not have done that, I realized later. I became a little older.
Neymar, who came up via Santos’ academy, shared photos of himself on social media while he heals from a knee injury.
After his childhood team was demoted, the striker for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia and Brazil wrote, “We will smile once again.”
In the Copa Libertadores final, Palmeiras defeated Santos just three years prior.
Paulinho of Atletico Mineiro scored the most goals (20) to finish first in the league. Tiquinho Soares of Botafogo and Luis Suárez both have 17 goals.
