Despite everything, a football year of ups and downs has come to an end in Brazil. Palmeiras were crowned champions, Santos were relegated for the first time in their 111-year history and Fluminense became kings of the continent with their victory in the Copa Libertadores.
Endrick and Palmeiras won Brazil’s key domestic title this year; the Serie A. Everyone plays everyone in the league so usually it is the most fair way to determine who have been the best team in the country. You might be able to win a cup with a bit of luck, but in the league consistency is key.
At the same time; This year in Brazil, only four things separated the league’s top four teams. A delayed push from reigning champions Palmeiras led them to back-to-back titles at the expense of fifth-placed Grêmio, Atletico Mineiro, Flamengo and Botafogo; The team that seemed destined to win the name a few weeks earlier.
In fact, Botafogo has “bottled up” the league this year. At one point they were thirteen points ahead of their pursuers, giants like Palmeiras and Flamengo may even have given up the title, but Botafogo invited them back into the race with an impressive crash.
Botafogo haven’t won any of their last 11 games. In this series, he also managed to get rid of Ledas in the matches against Palmeiras and Grêmio, losing both matches 4–3. In the loss to Grêmio, Luis Suárez scored a hat-trick for the visitors; The Uruguayan talisman propelled Grêmio to an impressive second-place finish in his first season in Brazil’s top flight.
Botafopass not only ruined the title, but also managed to put an end to the automatic qualifiers for the 2024 Copa Libertadores. The top four in the league will be united at the organizational level through the reigning champion Fluminense and the champion of the Brazilian Cup; São Paulo. Botafopass will have to go through two qualifiers to qualify for the tournament.
There has been some shocking news for Santos at the back of the table. The club was relegated to Serie B and after their last league game, cars were set on fire outside their stadium. The club has announced that the shirts numbered ’10’ and ’11’ will not be used in this department out of respect for their former legends Pele and Neymar.
Pelé in action for Santos FC. Undatiertes Foto. (Photo by Ferdi Hartung/ullstein bild via Getty … [+] Images)
Bahía is the club that has just saved Santos. Next year they will join Serie A through their biggest rival, Vitória, who have just been promoted from Serie B and have earned a lucrative offer to replace their entire club call-up. .
Finally, in winning the Copa Libertadores title; Fluminense brought the trophy back to Brazil for the fifth year in a row. It’s fair to say that the Brazilian Serie A continues to set the standard in South America, boasting the best talent and most competitive league.
Fluminense defender Nino (left), Fluminense coach Fernando Diniz (2-left), Fluminense midfielder. . . [ ] Andre Trindade (center) and teammates lift the trophy after winning the Copa Libertadores final between Brazil’s Fluminense and Boca Juniors Argentina. at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Nov. 4, 2023.