Leila Pereira regrets Palmeiras' exit from the World Cup and sends a message to fans: 'Stay calm'

Summary Leila Pereira, president of Palmeiras, lamented the team's elimination from the Club World Cup, highlighted participation as an achievement and thanked the fans, cast and crew, in addition to highlighting the female representation in the competition.

Palmeiras president Leila Pereira , 60, made a statement on Sunday, the 5th, to talk about the green and white team's performance in the FIFA Club World Cup .

In her text, she thanked the fans, the players and the entire team involved in the games. To illustrate her outburst, she posted a photo posing inside her private jet.

"Back in Brazil with a heavy heart, but proud of everything we experienced. First of all, I would like to thank our fans who were watching our games in the United States and also those who were cheering from all over Brazil and the world. Yes, Palmeiras is HUGE! Yes, our fans are HUGE! I want to thank our entire cast, coaching staff, club professionals and the partner who organized our impeccable logistics. You can be sure that everyone did their best. We did the best we could."

Leila then lamented the fact that the team had failed to reach the Club World Cup final, but emphasized that it had been an "intense and hard-working" period.

"These were intense days of hard work and dedication. We didn't go sightseeing in the United States. We didn't make it to the Club World Cup final. But, what is very important, WE PARTICIPATED in this fantastic event where our brand and our work were exposed to the world. We don't live on past glories. We value our past achievements, but we want more. WE LIVE IN THE PRESENT."

The president of Palmeiras still tried to reassure fans after the defeat.

"Stay calm! We have a lot to achieve this year! Don't listen to those who live off past glories because they can't achieve anything relevant TODAY [...] We are deeply proud that, today, we are always competing for and winning titles, that TODAY we are a respected club for paying its debts on time, that TODAY we are a surplus, professional and transparent club, that TODAY we reveal fantastic players and that, today, we are a club with credibility."

Leila Pereira also spoke about being the only woman in a championship with more than 30 teams as president of a club. For her, it felt like "opening doors" for other women to occupy positions in a world that, until recently, was ruled only by men and considered masculine.

"And I couldn't forget to thank all the women who felt represented by me at this Club World Cup, where, among the 32 participating clubs, the president of Palmeiras was the only woman. This is an achievement for all of us women. I'm sure that I'm opening doors for you in this world that, until recently, belonged to men. Thank you very much, from the bottom of my heart, to each and every one of you!"