Djalminha: This is Palmeiras’ most successful generation

• Palmeiras face Botafogo in the FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16
• Club legend Djaminha pays tribute to former side's recent achievements
• Abel Ferreira's outfit remain unbeaten in the global showpiece

Djalminha is one of the most-revered figures ever to don the No10 shirt for the Verdão, immortalised as part of the team that surpassed 100 goals in a 30-game season — but even he is in no doubt: “This is Palmeiras’ most successful generation.”

Since Portuguese tactician Abel Ferreira took the SE Palmeiras reins in 2020, his side have racked up a staggering ten titles: two editions of CONMEBOL’s Libertadores, a Recopa Sudamericana title, two Brasileirao Serie A crowns, a Copa do Brasil and Supercopa do Brasil, as well as three editions of the Campeonato Paulista.

Alongside Ferreira and his coaching staff, five players who have been integral to the recent glut of trophies are currently representing the Alviverde in the USA: goalkeeper Weverton, right-backs Marcos Rocha and Mayke, centre-back Gustavo Gomez and midfielder Raphael Veiga.

“I don’t like comparing teams or players from different eras; both sides brought success to Palmeiras. That said, this is the club’s most successful generation. They deserve a lot of recognition for that,” Djalminha said in an interview with FIFA.

Currently covering the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ as a pundit for Brazilian streaming platform CazéTV, the former midfielder spent a year and a half with the Sao Paulo giants in the 1990s, before moving to Deportivo La Coruna.

The apex of his time at the club coming in the 1996 Campeonato Paulista, when he formed a fearsome attacking quartet with Rivaldo, Muller and Luizao in a side that lost just once en route to the state title, notching an incredible 102 goals (an average of 3.4 per match).

He continued: “Palmeiras was the club I was playing for in my prime. It was also very memorable because we had an excellent team, which made history by bagging over 100 goals. Unfortunately, our squad didn’t stay together for long. But it was amazing while it lasted.”

Despite his admiration for the exploits of his former employers, the footballer-turned-pundit thinks the Round-of-16 showdown against Botafogo in Philadelphia is one where “anything can happen.”

“It’s a completely even contest, not just because of Botafogo’s showing at the Club World Cup so far, but also because of their performances over recent seasons. Despite the many changes to the Brazilian championship-winning squad, they still have a very strong team," he said.

In the group stage, Botafogo secured victories over current European champions Paris Saint-Germain and Seattle Sounders FC to finish second in Group B. Meanwhile, Palmeiras went unbeaten against Al Ahly FC, Inter Miami CF and FC Porto (with a win and two draws), finishing top of Group A.

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