Palmeiras, one of the most prestigious clubs in Brazil, known for its focus on technical and human development, chose Chile to establish its first academy in South America. With its headquarters at the Caja Los Andes sports complex in Machalí, the soccer school seeks to train both players and people, applying the methodology that has made the São Paulo club a true talent factory.
Luis Pedro Figueroa, former Palmeiras full-back between 2009 and 2010 and a reference for O’Higgins, leads this initiative as sports manager. For him, this project is the culmination of a bond that was never broken with the Brazilian club. “It all started by reactivating relationships I had in Palmeiras. In a Libertadores U-20, where O’Higgins participated, I contacted the club’s youth football manager. There I learned about their current methodology, which is very successful. Then, I traveled to Brazil to present the project, and that’s how this opportunity came about,” Figueroa said.
Since its launch on November 13, the academy has had a great reception “We have managed to get 65 children to be part of it, which shows the families’ confidence in this project. The most important thing is that here boys and girls will be able to develop in an environment that prioritizes technical learning, teamwork and, above all, their happiness,” highlighted the former soccer player.
A UNIQUE AND ACCESSIBLE METHODOLOGY
The academy follows the training model of the São Paulo club, which has produced figures such as Endrick, the young promise signed by Real Madrid. The Palmeiras academy in Machalí offers training on natural and artificial grass fields where young athletes train under a philosophy that combines technique, values and teamwork “Palmeiras is very jealous of its brand, and that commits us to replicating its way of I work in each class. Here the children will find peace of mind, they will learn to enjoy football without pressure and they will acquire tools to face both a game and challenges in their daily lives,” explained Figueroa.
The technical team is made up mostly of former professional footballers, such as Rodrigo Pérez, Johan Muñoz and Cristian Trejo (goalkeeper coach), who is joined by Figueroa “We have specialists in physical preparation for children. Our team is a mix of experience and commitment to training future talents,” he added.
The project not only seeks to train players, but also to promote essential values “We want families to trust that here their children will be happy and learn to develop holistically. It is a formative and competitive job, but we never forget that the most important thing is the person behind the player,” Figueroa emphasized.
Everaldo Coelho, marketing director of Palmeiras, highlighted the importance of the project: “Palmeiras took another important step to strengthen its brand outside Brazilian territory. We are very happy to open a school in Chile, home of great players who passed through the club, like Figueroa himself. It is a country that has many Palmeiras admirers, I am sure it will be a success.”
Meanwhile, the president of the Palmeiras Soccer Academy in Chile, Patricio Vergara, announced that the project will evolve into a competitive academy: “We want Palmeiras to compete in Chilean soccer at the ANFP level and be a benchmark in talent training.”
The academy, open to boys and girls between 4 and 17 years old, invites families to participate in free experimental classes, where they will be able to learn about the methodology and training approach of Verdão “We want families to feel part of this project, which Get to know our work before making a decision. Here, children not only learn to play soccer; They learn values for life,” Figueroa concluded.
With 65 students already enrolled, the Palmeiras Chile Academy promises to be a hotbed of talent and a space where values and football converge.
For more details, contact the phone number +56932510498 and their social networks: Academia Palmeiras Chile.