Palmeiras gear up for derby, Flaco celebrates call-up: 'My dream' | OneFootball

Palmeiras trained on Thursday morning (28), at the Football Academy, in preparation for the classic match against Corinthians, which takes place on Sunday (31), at 6:30 pm, at Neo Química Arena, for the 22nd round of the Brazilian Championship. In the first round, on April 12, at Arena Barueri, Verdão came out on top and beat the rival 2-0, with goals from Piquerez and Emi Martínez.

How was the training?

In this Thursday's activity, the players improved play constructions and specific movements, using stakes and dummies arranged on the field. Then, there was a technical and tactical 11x11 training on a reduced field. As usual, some Sub-20 Creations, recently Brazilian champions of the category, participated in the work: left-back Arthur, midfielder Erick Belé, and forward Riquelme Fillipi.

The highlight of the day, however, was the news received by Flaco López right after training: the forward was included in the final list of the Argentina National Team for the next matches of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

Speak, Flaco!

-Not even in my wildest dreams would I imagine, but life is like that, it keeps surprising you and I have to be prepared for all the challenges that are happening. I am very happy, it is a spectacular moment for the team and I did not expect to have the opportunity, but today it came. I will defend the colors of my country and I think it is the biggest dream I have in football, so I am very happy to realize it – said the number 42.

Flaco also commented on the announcement happening while he was still at the Palmeiras training center:

-It was very special. Today in training I was thinking a little about this, but then the training started and I forgot. I had totally forgotten, but when I sat down Gustavo Gómez came, told me and it was all the joy again there on the field. An inexplicable moment. I think my family must be calling me (laughs) – he commented.

Since 2022 at the club, López has 159 matches (82 as a starter) and 49 goals. The forward is the second highest scorer of the squad, behind only Raphael Veiga, with 105 balls in the net, and already ranks among the six highest scorers of Palmeiras in this century, behind Vágner Love (54).

Before presenting himself to Argentina for the matches against Venezuela and Ecuador, Flaco will be available for Abel Ferreira for the Derby.

-It will be another decisive game for us, as they all are. We are going after our dream, we are very eager for the game to come to show what Palmeiras is. I hope Sunday comes quickly so we can have a great game and then go with the national team.

The moment lived by Verdão is also historic. The club records in 2025 the best start of the Brazilian Championship in its history in the points race: in 19 rounds, 42 points were won. The performance surpasses the 39 points added in 2019 and 2022. In the years when it was Brazilian champion in the same cut, Alviverde had 36 points in 2016, 33 in 2018, 39 in 2022 and 34 in 2023. In addition, Palmeiras currently holds the longest unbeaten streak in the championship (eight games, alongside São Paulo) and the longest winning streak (three, alongside Flamengo).

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.