Soccer-Palmeiras and Botafogo set to rekindle heated rivalry on global stage
By Fernando Kallas HT Image
PHILADELPHIA, June 27 (Reuters) - In a nation where bitter football feuds typically simmer across generations, Botafogo and Palmeiras are poised to add another chapter to Brazil's explosive new rivalry when they meet in the last 16 of the Club World Cup on Saturday.
The feud, which erupted in 2023, has seen dramatic twists both on and off the pitch.
Palmeiras, spearheaded by teenage sensation Endrick, overturned a three-goal deficit to defeat Botafogo 4-3, a result that triggered the Rio club's collapse in the Brazilian championship race.
Palmeiras subsequently clinched the league title, sparking tensions that spilled into public exchanges between club officials.
Palmeiras president Leila Pereira called Botafogo's owner John Textor "an idiot" and suggested he should be "banned from Brazilian football" after the American alleged referee bias in favor of Palmeiras.
The rivalry defies Brazil's traditional city-based football feuds, with Palmeiras hailing from Sao Paulo and Botafogo from Rio de Janeiro.
Unlike the century-old feuds of Flamengo-Fluminense or Atletico-Cruzeiro, this cross-country animosity has evolved into a pressure-cooker dynamic, with each encounter carrying heightened stakes.
Botafogo exacted revenge in the 2024 Copa Libertadores, eliminating Palmeiras in the round of 16 en route to claiming the continental title.
When the two met again in the Brazilian league at Palmeiras' home ground, Botafogo won again and eventually secured a domestic and international double.
Since that 2023 defeat, Botafogo have gone unbeaten against Palmeiras in five consecutive matches.
Saturday's encounter at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field will test the limits of a rivalry that has transcended mere competition, with local commentators describing it as "collective catharsis" for fans and players alike.
'It means a lot. The last few games between Botafogo and Palmeiras have been high-level and intense,' defender Alex Telles told reporters on Friday.
'It's a healthy rivalry for Brazilian football. It's great to see two Brazilian teams facing each other in the Club World Cup and also to have all four teams advancing (to the last 16).'
On Saturday in Philadelphia, a new chapter will be written in this captivating and intense rivalry that has gripped the South American nation.
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
15 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Klopp criticises expanded Club World Cup format, says it is football's worst idea
Former Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has criticised the introduction of the expanded Club World Cup format, calling it the worst idea ever implemented in football. In an interview with German newspaper Die Welt published late on Friday Klopp said the tournament would put more strain on an already packed calendar for the players. The expanded format features a 32-team event held every four years during the pre-season, in the summers between major international tournaments. 'It's a pointless competition. Whoever wins it will be the worst winner of all time because they'll have played all summer and then gone straight back into the league,' Klopp said. 'There are people who have never been involved in the day-to-day business of football and are now coming up with ideas.' Klopp pointed out that today's players are getting less and less time to rest, warning that adding another tournament was potentially dangerous for their health. 'It's too many games. I fear that next season we will see injuries like never before. If not then, they'll come during or after the Club World Cup,' the German said. Also read | What the Club World Cup tells us about revival of Brazilian League football 'There's no real recovery for those involved, neither physically nor mentally.' Klopp, who ended his highly successful nine-year stint with Liverpool in 2024, is now head of global football for Red Bull, owners of several clubs including RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls. Klopp was also asked if he would like to coach again. 'I don't want that anymore. I have a job now that fulfils me and is also intense. I don't sleep in the morning and I don't go to bed later at night, but I can organise my work much better,' he said.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Palmeiras edges past Botafogo to secure quarterfinal berth
Palmeiras became the first side to book a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 quarterfinals after beating rival Botafogo in their round of 16 match at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday. After the match ended 0-0 in regulation time, Brazilian Paulinho found the bottom left corner with a clean strike in the 100th minute to take the lead. Palmeiras will face the winner of the match between Benfica and Chelsea in the quarterfinal stage. More to follow
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Confident Fritz heads to Wimbledon after fourth title at Eastbourne International
Taylor Fritz said he is heading to Wimbledon in confident mood after storming to a record-extending fourth title at the Eastbourne Open on Saturday. The world number five proved too good for fellow American Jenson Brooksby, who had progressed to the final as a lucky loser after defeat in qualifying, with a 7-5, 6-1 victory in the Wimbledon warm-up event at Devonshire Park. Fritz also won on the grass in Stuttgart earlier this month and now has five ATP titles on the surface, which is only bettered by Novak Djokovic among active players. 'I'll go there, get a nice practice in tomorrow and go for it,' said Fritz, who is due to play Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round at Wimbledon on Monday. READ | Mallorca Open 2025: Griekspoor beats Moutet in final to secure title with Wimbledon looming 'I'd much rather be going into the tournament with a title and confidence than a week of rest and just practice.' Fritz has made the event on England's south coast his own in recent years, also lifting the trophy in 2019, 2022 and 2024. After needing three third-set victories to reach the final once again this week, Fritz had to come from a break down in the first set before imposing his dominance over the world number 149 in the second. 'I got better and better with each match and felt like I really upped my level in this match,' added Fritz.
