Leila Pereira, president of Palmeiras: “I am not here to be nice, but to make Palmeiras champion”

Brazilian Leila Pereira (59 years old, Cambuci, Rio de Janeiro) never raised the feminist flag, but decided to keep her maiden name instead of becoming Mrs. Lamacchia.

Over the years, she alone assumed the reins of the business group that her husband founded and built together.

With those credentials and a husband who has been a Palmeiras fan since he was a child, her company, Crefisa, began sponsoring this club founded in 1914 by Italian immigrants in São Paulo.

She became president in 2021. Only then, becoming the only woman at the head of one of the world's largest football clubs, did she feel the sexist onslaught, she says in an interview at the club's academy.

Pereira and her checkbook—she is one of the richest Brazilians—have led the team to one of the sweetest moments in its history.

President Pereira and Gustavo Gomez, captain of Palmeiras, hold the Paulista championship trophy, in São Paulo, on April 3, 2022. NELSON ALMEIDA (AFP)

Ask.

Do you remember your first game in a stadium?

Answer.

When we were kids, my father took us to see Vasco [de Gama], but I was never a fan.

I became interested in him when I started dating my husband at 18.

Our first match together was a Vasco-Palmeiras match in São Januário, in Rio de Janeiro.

I worked as a television journalist, in sports.

With him I joined Palmeiras.

Q.

The team is experiencing a golden era.

Six men's titles in two years: the South American Cup Winners' Cup (2022), a Brazilian Super Cup (2023), two Brazilian championships and two of the State of São Paulo.

And the female Libertadores (the male one was conquered a year before his arrival to the presidency).

Was it a question of money?

Is it true that one Saturday, over breakfast, you proposed sponsorship to your husband?

A.

Exactly.

In 2015, another team appeared and I told my husband: “Beto, São Paulo wants us to sponsor them, but why don't we sponsor Palmeiras?”

The previous year had been very difficult—he was almost relegated [in category] and my husband had lymphoma—but it ended well, with Beto and Palmeiras joining Serie A. That afternoon, the president received us and I thought: ' My husband and Palmeiras deserve it.'

Q.

She is determined.

R.

_

Yes always.

I like to decide.

There began the story of the largest sponsorship in the history of Brazilian football.

It started with investing, of course.

But then comes management.

It makes no sense to put money in and manage irresponsibly.

Q.

How did you convince coach Abel Ferreira to stay another year, until December 2025?

A.

That Abel and the majority of our players stay is part of the secret of that victorious trajectory.

When Abel arrived, he found in Palmeiras a structure that has nothing to envy of any club.

He knows that we do everything possible and impossible so that he can work in the best way.

People tell me: 'Leila, he is very well paid.'

Of course, it has to be!

From time to time Abel receives million-dollar offers from outside Brazil and decides to stay.

Q.

You started the year with a press conference only for female journalists.

Will he repeat?

A.

I hope it is not necessary.

I have faith that they will send dozens of women to the next one.

Under no circumstances am I saying that men should be excluded.

We don't want privileges, we want opportunities.

Q.

The world of football has always been very masculine.

What does machismo translate into in the day-to-day life of the president of a big club?

A.

I grew up surrounded by men and I have always handled myself well in masculine environments.

They said that this was a very sexist club, of Italian origin... but they voted for me overwhelmingly as a councilor, I was the sole candidate for the presidency and I became the first president.

And I said: 'There is no machismo here.'

But then the provocations begin that, I think, if I were not a woman, I would not have received.

For example, when Palmeiras loses, Leila is responsible;

when he wins, it is despite Leila.

Q.

You felt machismo when you assumed power.

A.

Maybe it's because when you fight so hard to get to that space you are so focused on your goal that you don't pay attention.

But, when I am already president, it gets complicated.

I think they are trying to intimidate me because I am a woman, but I don't let it discourage me.

I suffer threats.

And I feel very alone, in the CBF [Brazilian Football Confederation], in the Paulista Federation... there are no more women in Serie A, B or C. And that cannot be treated as normal because it is not. .

It needs to be much more balanced.

There are extremely capable women.

And we have to fight because this did not fall from the sky.

I am not here for a quota or because I am a woman.

I have fought a lot, a lot.

Palmeiras fans during a match of the Brazilian championship, in São Paulo, on December 3.

Ricardo Moreira

Q.

And how is it being from Rio and managing one of the big clubs in rival São Paulo?

A.

I usually say that Palmeiras is an avant-garde club.

He chose a woman who has no Italian name and speaks with a Rio accent.

I mean, Palmeirassssss.

I am very proud.

This shows that our club is for everyone.

Many fans stop me and congratulate me.

They say: 'I'm from Corinthians, from São Paulo, from Flamengo... but I like you.

I wish my club had someone like you.'

It makes me happy.

Brazilian football needs people with credibility.

Q.

Canarinha plays abroad.

Is there a way for Brazil to retain its talent?

A.

Brazilian football needs more organization, we want the clubs to organize the league.

That would make it more attractive, more competitive.

As long as this is not achieved, we will continue to lose wonderful footballers.

Palmeiras has one of the best youth teams in the world.

We've revealed some fantastic guys that we haven't been able to keep here.

There are many.

But proposals like Endrick's come...

Q.

What will you feel in July, when you turn 18 and go to Real Madrid?

A.

First, I'm going to be very happy because it was an inalienable offer for the boy [Madrid paid 72 million euros when Endrick was 16 years old].

And the club cannot prevent it.

It's spectacular for his career.

But I would like to be able to make him a proposal so that he would stay.

We have coveted youth players abroad and several, helping us achieve titles.

Q.

What do you think of the reaction of the football world to the non-consensual kiss of Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish federation, to the footballer Jennifer Hermoso?

R.

_

I saw it and I was terrified.

That cannot happen under any circumstances.

The decision to remove him was extremely correct.

Q.

You are a veteran and successful businesswoman.

A.

Exactly.

I'm not into football, I'm into football.

I am a businesswoman, banker.

I worked hard with my husband and our companies have a lot of credibility.

I brought all my experience.

Palmeiras is not a company, but football is managed as if it were a company with certain particularities of course.

We have fans who are driven by passion.

Therefore, we take great care of them.

Q.

Your direct style is considered novel in Brazilian football.

Her defenders praise her because she says things clearly, raises problems openly and faces them.

No behind the scenes.

A.

I am the same with you, with our employees and with the players.

Managing a big club like Palmeiras is easy, what is most difficult is enduring the pressure.

It is very violent... pressure for signings, a corporatism that protects those who do not deserve to be here... I am not here to be nice, I am here to make Palmeiras champion and provide job security for our employees.

We are on the right path.

Winning is always impossible, but Palmeiras will continue to be the protagonist as long as I am president.

Q.

For your critics, sponsoring the club you preside over is a blatant conflict of interest.

A.

There is not.

The current sponsorship contract, valid until December, was signed by the previous president.

I'll do a contest.

Obviously, I am only going to accept credible proposals because during elections, dear friend, there are many adventurers who want to be associated with the Palmeiras brand.

Nobody is stupid here.

If Crefisa [his company] wants to make an offer, obviously I won't decide.

I will submit the proposals to the Guidance and Inspection Council of the club, which has about 15 members.

And if Crefisa does not participate, the president decides.

Q.

Your relationship with the ultras is very delicate.

Three have been sentenced to stay away from you.

A.

I have already said everything I had to say on this topic.

I agreed with myself that I no longer talk about the ultras.

Q.

Double question to finish.

Do you feel feminist?

And where does she stand politically?

A.

I never raised a feminist flag.

But, with the visibility that the position gives me, I believe I can fight for better conditions for women.

Always respecting your wishes.

My mother stayed home and did a wonderful job taking care of us.

Q.

Housewives are experts in logistics, economics, health... True multitasking professionals.

A.

A woman has to choose what she wants, pursue it and be happy.

That's all.

Q.

And politically, where are you located?

A.

My party is Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras.

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