- The bond between Palmeiras and their captain, Gustavo Gómez, can be traced through the long and fruitful journey they have shared in the CONMEBOL Libertadores.
- The Paraguayan defender is the backbone of a side that, over the years, has forged a winning and competitive identity on the most demanding stage in South American football.
“He is our captain, our leader, our 'Robocop', a completely different case”, Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira said some time ago when asked about the Verdão centre-back. Born in San Juan Bautista, Gómez will take part in the CONMEBOL Libertadores semi-finals with Palmeiras for the seventh time, with Fluminense standing between them and a place in the Final.
A product of Libertad's youth academy in Paraguay, he is undoubtedly one of the most influential and decisive figures in South American football. With the 'Alviverde', he has won 13 trophies and lifted the Eternal Glory trophy twice (2020 and 2021). He is also the only player in history to score in nine consecutive editions of the CONMEBOL Libertadores, between 2018 and 2026.
After accumulating yellow cards, Gómez missed the quarter-final second leg against Liga de Quito, which ended 3-2 in favour of the Ecuadorian side before Palmeiras prevailed 4-3 on penalties. “A player like Gustavo is always missed; we cannot hide that. He is our captain, our leader,” João Martins, Abel Ferreira's assistant manager, stressed after Palmeiras secured qualification in Ecuador.
Joaquín Piquerez wore the captain's armband in his absence. The Uruguayan, who has made more than 250 appearances for the São Paulo side, has found a footballing reference in his team-mate: “I've always been very close to Gustavo, trying to follow his path. At this club, everything starts from the moment you arrive and see the figures who are ahead of you,” he said after Palmeiras reached the quarter-finals of the 2025 edition of the Eternal Glory.
Gómez is a captain, a leader and a cornerstone, but he is also the key link in a competitive mentality that defines how Palmeiras play and, through actions, reflects the club's identity. A leadership chain perfectly suited to the Paraguayan, the most decorated player in the history of the Verdão, summed up by a powerful statement from Abel Ferreira: “I don't know who chose him as captain because when I arrived he was already wearing the armband, but I can tell our supporters that they chose the best captain Palmeiras could have.”
His leadership has become a benchmark at the Brazilian club, a model to follow. “He is an example of life and overcoming adversity, of wanting more every day, of working for yourself and not settling for what you have already achieved. Whenever we arrived at the gym to train, he was always already there,” said his former team-mate Richard Ríos, now at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad.
