The Palmeiras coach says he is saddened by the criticism directed at his competitiveness and cites the Brazilian star to justify his position.
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Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira compared his competitiveness to that of his idol Ayrton Senna, and highlighted the difference between competitiveness in sport and in life, ahead of the 2025 Libertadores final against Flamengo.
In Lima, Peru, for the final Conmebol Libertadores 2025Abel Ferreira, the coach of Palmeiras, commented on his competitive personality, and even compared himself to Ayrton Senna (1960 – 1994), the Formula 1 driver and Brazilian idol.
On Thursday afternoon, the 27th, he stressed that there is a difference between competitiveness in society and the ability to compete in sports. The coach said he feels sad when he is judged for his competitive behaviour, and noted that Brazilians have an ideal with the same characteristics.
The coach said: “There was Senna and Ayrton, two completely different people. And don’t say that he couldn’t compete, that he was a little angel when he was competing. Sometimes I feel sad when they say I’m on a bad losing streak. Isn’t that Ayrton Senna?”
Abel confirmed that he considers Senna a Brazilian idol, and said that he had met people close to the driver. He also pointed out that the three-time world champion won three titles out of the 12 he participated in, and stated that if he also won three titles out of 12, he could not be sad.
The coach will enter the field with the Palmeiras team next Saturday, the 29th, to compete in the Conmebol Libertadores final against Flamengo.
Abel Ferreira says “everything has changed” for Palmeiras after the penalty controversy against Sao Paulo:
