The management of the São Paulo team chose not to renew the contract of the 38-year-old midfielder, which ended at the end of this month.
Palmeiras, brand new champion of the 2021 Copa Libertadores, announced this Saturday the departure of veteran Brazilian midfielder and team captain, Felipe Melo, after five years in the Verdiblanco club.
The board of directors of the São Paulo complex has chosen not to renew the 38-year-old midfielder’s contract, which ended at the end of this month, so you will now have complete freedom to sign with another team.
Proposals are not lacking. According to the Brazilian press, Melo has received a offer of the Fluminense of Rio de Janeiro and another of the International of Porto Alegre.
He arrived at Palmeiras in January 2017 after a long tour of Europe, where he defended Inter Milan, Juventus, Fiorentina (Italy), Galatasaray (Turkey), Almería, Racing de Santander and Real Mallorca (Spain).
On his return to Brazil, Melo, who is also known as a ‘pitbull’ for his aggressive style, quickly became the spiritual leader of the Palmeiras dressing room, with which he has won five titles: two Libertadores (2020 and 2021), a League (2018), a Brazilian Cup (2020) and a Paulista Championship (2020).
Palmeiras, today led by Portuguese coach Abel Ferreira, said goodbye to their captain with an emotional open letter in which he recognized his “intensity”, “effort” and leadership on and off the field.
“His departure does not mark the end of his career at Palmeiras, but rather the beginning of eternity. It rises to the highest level that football provides, forever marked on the club’s walls and in the memory of the fan, “the note said.
Felipe Melo (38 years old) with the shirt of @Palm trees:
⚔️ 213 games (192 starter)
⚽️ 13 goals
????️ 7 assists
✅ 86% hit the pass
???? 61% duels won
???? 351 disarmament
⤴️ 349 intercepts
???? 81 yellow
❌ 2 serious defensive errors (in 16421 mins!)
???? SofaScore Note 7.00
???? 5 titles pic.twitter.com/bxTMq3ZlXr— SofaScore Brazil (@SofaScoreBR) December 5, 2021
“Felipe, you have made history in the greatest champion of Brazil and now three-time champion of America,” said the Sao Paulo club, addressing his now former player.
Felipe Melo says goodbye to Palmeiras after playing a total of 213 games, leaving a quota of 13 goals scored.
“Really, your choice was the best possible when you decided to return to Brazil to continue your winning career in Europe,” the club wrote. (D)
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