Marcos Rocha bids farewell to Palmeiras following an almost 8-year stint: 'Thanks for everything and so much!'
Marcos Rocha Bids Farewell to Palmeiras after Seven and a Half Years
After a memorable journey spanning victories, painful defeats, challenges, friendships, and memories that will remain in his family's heart, Marcos Rocha has announced his departure from Palmeiras. The defender, who played 346 games for the club, has left Palmeiras after seven and a half years and joined Grêmio.
Throughout his time at Palmeiras, Rocha maintained the same stance, becoming one of the greatest winners in the team's history. He won 12 titles with the club, including two Copa Libertadores. However, in 2025, he found himself losing playing time under coach Abel Ferreira, with competition from younger players like Agustín Giay and the signing of Khellven.
Rocha felt "displaced" and no longer an important figure in the squad. This motivated his decision to move on to Grêmio, a club that needed an experienced right-back to strengthen their defense. The transfer was completed by mutual agreement, with an early contract termination at Palmeiras that incurred no costs, allowing Rocha to sign with Grêmio until the end of 2026.
The Palmeiras board is now forced to go to the market in search of reinforcements before the transfer window closes, scheduled for September 2. The club's reformulation signals deep changes in the Palmeiras squad, with 18 players already saying goodbye to the club in 2025, eight of them after the Club World Cup.
Rocha officially joined Grêmio in August 2025 and is expected to be a starter, helping the team which had been improvising players in his usual position due to injuries and transfers. He expressed confidence that the move was a great choice for continuing his career.
In a heartfelt farewell statement, Rocha personally thanked staff and teammates at the Academia de Futebol. He was "happy and at peace" leaving Palmeiras after a successful cycle, thankful for all the memories and achievements there.
Reasons for Leaving Palmeiras
- Loss of playing time and importance: Under coach Abel Ferreira, fewer opportunities; competition from younger players
- Personal feeling: Felt "displaced" and not part of team's core plans
- Club dynamics: Palmeiras underwent a broad squad reformulation in 2025, parting with many players
- Grêmio's need: Grêmio sought an experienced right-back to fill gaps and add quality
- Transfer conditions: Early contract termination at Palmeiras, free transfer, contract at Grêmio until 2026
The departure of Marcos Rocha is part of a broader verde-alvineiro reformulation at Palmeiras, as they look to rebuild and continue their winning ways.
Marcos Rocha, having lost playing time under coach Abel Ferreira and feeling displaced in the squad, made the decision to move on to Grêmio in search of a fresh start. The experienced right-back, who won 12 titles with Palmeiras, found an opportunity with Grêmio, a club that needed a veteran defender to strengthen their defense.
