- Palmeiras captain Gustavo Gómez once again showcased his class with the goal that secured their place in the quarter-finals against Cerro Porteño, in his native Paraguay.
- The defender extended his personal record and became the first player in history to score in nine consecutive editions of the CONMEBOL Libertadores.
The 'Verdão's' leader and figurehead is not merely a defensive pillar for the three-time champions of South America's most prestigious club competition. He is also a key figure whose wealth of qualities has kept him among the continent's most influential footballers for more than a decade. On another unforgettable Copa night, he once again became the hero and now dreams of lifting his third CONMEBOL Libertadores trophy with Palmeiras.
When the San Juan Bautista-born defender joined the São Paulo side at the age of 25, even the most optimistic 'Alviverde' supporter could not have imagined that he would go on to become the most decorated player in the club's history.
Gustavo Gómez — combative, tenacious and, above all, a winner — perhaps could. From his debut at Libertad and through his short but significant spells with Lanús and AC Milan in Italy, he accumulated trophies that backed up the breadth of his footballing repertoire and established him as a decisive presence at every club he represented.
Palmeiras, his place in the world
His story with the 'Verdão' got off to a flying start. In his first season, he won a domestic trophy and produced performances that quickly earned him a starting place, one he would never relinquish.
His outstanding influence in the CONMEBOL Libertadores earned him a place among the most important players in Palmeiras' history. As captain, he lifted the trophy in the 2020 and 2021 editions and came within touching distance of a third title when Palmeiras lost the 2025 final to Flamengo.
His 13 trophies with the Brazilian side are both a reward and fuel for his insatiable hunger for glory. Gustavo Gómez competes for every ball, embraces every challenge and rises to the occasion in every match as if it were his first on the international stage and his trophy cabinet were still waiting to be filled.
The centre-back and captain of the Paraguay national team embodies leadership, authority and a knack for scoring important goals. In 88 appearances for Palmeiras in the CONMEBOL Libertadores, he has already scored 15 times.
