- The defender joined Verdão during the Knockout Stage of this season's CONMEBOL Libertadores and has since become an indispensable part of Abel Ferreira's system.
- The São Paulo side will face Estudiantes de La Plata at the Estadio Centenario on 28 November, contesting their fourth Final in the last seven editions of the continent's most prestigious club competition..
Palmeiras, last season's runners-up in the CONMEBOL Libertadores, will have a chance to make amends after losing the decisive match against Flamengo last year. The Verdão brought Alexander Barboza into their squad from the Round of 16 onwards, adding another quality player to an already talented group. His arrival proved to be a turning point: he brought defensive solidity, composure in possession and, above all, versatility to the Portuguese manager's tactical approach.
There are several reasons behind Barboza's move to Palmeiras. The 31-year-old centre-back, who came through the youth ranks at River Plate, already knows what it takes to conquer South America. In 2024, as a key member of Botafogo's squad, he lifted the CONMEBOL Libertadores trophy, sharing the dressing room with a current Palmeiras team-mate, midfielder Marlon Freitas.
His attributes have given the Verdão's defence an additional option. The 4-2-3-1 formation used throughout the Group Stage evolved into a 3-4-2-1, allowing the wing-backs to push forward in support of the attack and drop back when defending. The change also enabled Ferreira to add more energy, defensive work and dynamism to the midfield.
For the Villa Celina-born defender, from the province of Buenos Aires, 2026 has been as fast-paced as it has challenging. Barboza represented Botafogo in the Group Stage of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana. With him in the starting line-up, the Rio de Janeiro side won four of their five matches. He captained the team in their opening fixture against Caracas FC and provided an assist in the 3-2 win over Racing in Avellaneda.
How did he fit into an established defence that already had a natural leader such as Gustavo Gómez occupying one of the centre-back positions? Ferreira deployed him on the left to add a left-footed option to a clearly defined back three, where he partners the Verdão's captain and leading figure, who this year became the only player in history to score in nine consecutive editions of the CONMEBOL Libertadores (from 2018 to 2026).
Barboza's impact in his first Palmeiras appearances has not been limited to his aggression in individual duels. He also provides a reliable passing outlet and a clean first pass. In the semi-final tie against Fluminense, he ranked among the top five players for both involvements and successful passes, according to Opta. Alongside Murilo Cerqueira — the right-sided centre-back — he won every aerial duel in the first leg against Flu: the Argentine came out on top in all four of his duels, while the Brazilian won all three of his.
His impressive form has earned him a reward: Diego Forlán, Uruguay's national team manager, included Barboza for the second time during his tenure in the 42-man preliminary squad for the November international break.
