He scored a goal against Emelec at the Capwell and became Palmeiras’ all-time top scorer in the Copa Libertadores

Rony is and will be a player impossible to forget in the history of Palmeiras. At just 26 years old, he has already become the São Paulo team’s all-time top scorer in the Copa Libertadores after the goal he scored on the Emelec pitch to open the path to victory. There are already 13 goals in the continental tournament that he has won twice.

The striker, who now acts as a reference in the area and who started at Verdao as a winger, is experiencing a formidable 2022 and has already scored four goals between Brasileirao and Libertadores, the competition in which he feels most comfortable. He has only needed 23 games to be at the top of a list of players who have left their mark on one of the great clubs in South America. In addition, beyond the goals he adds nine assists.

In the 2020 title Rony was more decisive in the final rounds. He scored in the quarterfinals against Libertad and also in the first leg of the semifinals against River. Instead, in 2021 his six goals came with the doubles scored against Independiente del Valle, Defensa y Justicia and Universitario. All of them in the group stage.

Beyond this historic milestone, Rony ended 2021 at a much lower level than expected. He closed the Brasileirao with just four goals and the Palmeiras sports management searched the market for an area forward like Rafael Navarro, the top scorer in the current Copa Libertadores. However, he has not yet shown the expected level and the arrival of another scorer was even considered. For now Rony will keep his place in the eleven and if the goals come with the current regularity (four goals in the last five games), Abel Ferreira is counting on him. (D)