“Chelsea Are Very Lucky to Have Them—my players kept talking about them in the dressing room,” – Palmeiras boss reacts after quarter-final defeat
When Palmeiras exited the Club World Cup at the quarter-final stage with a narrow 2–1 loss to Chelsea on July 5, manager Abel Ferreira didn’t mince words. After a pulsating encounter that saw Palmeiras equalise thanks to teenage talent Estêvão, only for an unfortunate own goal to hand Chelsea victory, Ferreira showered praise on his opponents—as well as their future new recruit.
A game swirling with drama
The match kicked off in Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field before a near-capacity crowd, and instantly told the story of two contrasting sides. Chelsea struck first in the 16th minute through Cole Palmer, whose composed finish following a slick move set the tone . Palmeiras fought back with courage and flair, and in the 53rd minute, emerging star Estêvão—soon to join Chelsea—blasted in a stunning equaliser from a tight angle .
Yet football, always precarious, turned on a whim: a deflected Malo Gusto cross ricocheted off goalkeeper Weverton into the net, handing Chelsea a 2–1 lead they would hold until the final whistle .
Ferreira’s heartfelt reaction
Despite the elimination, Ferreira’s post-match comments were strikingly gracious and revealing. He stated publicly:
> **“Chelsea are very lucky to have them, my players kept talking about them in the dressing room.”**
His words referred not just to Estêvão—who showed his class—but also to the broader Chelsea squad’s depth and talent. Ferreira stressed that his team remained upbeat in their post-match huddle, buzzing about Chelsea’s quality.
He addressed the narrow nature of the defeat, calmly acknowledging the unpredictable element of the own goal but emphasised that Chelsea deserved credit:
> “Overall Chelsea was better. They have better players and a better coach,” Ferreira admitted, conceding: “They were lucky with the way they scored the second goal.”
The Portuguese coach’s humility stood out: he wasn’t bitter, only respectful—recognising Chelsea’s strength, his own side’s valiant fight, and the shared football artistry on display.
The dressing-room buzz
Ferreira hinted that the dressing-room atmosphere didn’t dwell on defeat, but instead on admiration:
There was awe around Estêvão’s performance, a future star already mixing it with top European pros .
Chelsea’s cohesion was a hot topic: “my players kept talking about them,” he said, signalling that even in loss, Palmeiras took inspiration from their opponents.
He even offered a parting gift to Chelsea: urging them to nurture Estêvão, calling him “an amazing person,” a young talent who would need understanding and support as he transitions to life at Stamford Bridge .
What does this all mean?
1. Respect over resentment – Ferreira could have latched onto the misfortune of the own goal, but chose instead to spotlight Chelsea’s overarching class.
2. Cultural humility – These comments send a powerful message: Palmeiras may be bested, but they recognise excellence and champion growth—even in rivals.
3. A feather in Chelsea’s cap – Though the result hinged on luck, Ferreira’s admiration is a nod of legitimacy to Chelsea’s recruitment and squad-building logic.
Closing thoughts
Ferreira’s response illustrates the spirit of modern football: fierce on the pitch, respectful off it. In his four-sentence soundbite, you find defeat, dignity, and generosity. He called Chelsea “lucky” not in derision, but in recognition of their resources and depth. He praised Estêvão not to deflect blame, but to celebrate a player who could easily overshadow the loss.
In a world of heated rivalries and post-match theatrics, this was refreshingly real. Ferreira’s remarks echo far beyond a single result—they speak to a footballing philosophy that values character, perspective, and human decency.
Chelsea may have edged through, but Ferreira’s words remind us: in football, sometimes the bigger victory lies in how you lose.