Deyverson is the frog from Palmeiras who became a prince, defines Abel Ferreira

Deyverson started crying seconds after scoring the Libertadores do Palmeiras title goal. This would become common in the next few minutes. He broke down in tears while still on the field, as soon as the final was over. Again, shortly afterwards, when he was reminded of the problems he had at the club. Finally, talking about gratitude to coach Abel Ferreira.

“He is a frog that we kiss and turn into a prince”, defined the Portuguese.

Deyverson, the author of the second goal from Palma in the 2-1 victory over Flamengo, in the continental decision this Saturday (27), in Montevideo, has something that pleases the coaches. Even if not all fans can see it.

Luiz Felipe Scolari insisted with the fighter and persistent center forward. He received the reward when the player scored in São Januário the goal that guaranteed the Brazilian title in 2018. Abel Ferreira accepted his return from Spanish football and joined the squad this year.

“It’s my second title goal. I’m grateful to God for what he has given me. He [Abel Ferreira] he said that I am a playful boy, that I play for the group. I’m glad to hear this. I have an eternal gratitude for him, who brought me to the club I love,” he said after the victory party.

Deyverson defined his title bid as a moment of insistence. To believe that something could happen. That’s how he recovered the ball in a moment of Andreas Pereira’s mental failure and touched the goalkeeper Diego Alves’ exit.

“He kept working hard even when he wasn’t playing. He never stopped believing,” said Breno Lopes, another reserve striker who understands the scale of what happened to Deyverson this Saturday.

At the end of January, Lopes also left the bank of Palmeiras in a Libertadores final (2020) and decided. He scored the goal against Santos in the last minute of injury time.

They are not even the first case in Palmeiras’ recent history of center forwards discredited by the fans and turned into saviors. The 2012 Brazil Cup title goal was scored by Betinho. The hardworking athlete gave himself a nickname that would fit even more with Deyverson: predestined.

In theory, the Libertadores hero of the club alviverde of 2021 shouldn’t even be the first option to enter during the decision. Luiz Adriano would be at the front among the offensive options. But he did not fit the characteristic desired by Abel Ferreira for that final moment: someone willing to sacrifice, to run, to pressure, to fight against the Flamengo fans.

“I really had ups and downs. I know I made a lot of mistakes, but I never stopped working and helping my teammates,” Deyverson said.

One of those flaws came in a gesture that could be made by the most fanatical of fans.

Atlético-MG even asked for the points of the second match of the Libertadores semifinal because the player, then in reserve, invaded the field when the ball was still in play, moments before Dudu scored the equalizer and classification goal.

“Everyone knows I’ve been from Vasco since I was little, I haven’t changed clubs, but I love Palmeiras and I’m from Palmeira”, he added.

Deyverson credits Abel Ferreira with the goal, the title in Montevideo and the return to Brazilian football. He repeated this several times just to let him be grateful. Because Deyverson believes timing is most important. And after what happened to him at the Centenario stadium, who’s to say it was a lie?

“Abel put his chest up for me and said that I would make my name one more time. That’s gratitude. Forgive and love because tomorrow doesn’t exist.”