Sunday, November 28th, 2021
Deyverson falls after a referee foul
The naughtiest swallow in history
The fact that Palmeiras wins the Copa Libertadores is almost a minor matter: because striker Deyverson puts such an incredible swallow on the lawn that he would have deserved an Oscar. While the opponent is raging and the network is laughing, the ex-Cologne celebrates the title.
The 123rd minute is running. In the final of the Copa Libertadores, the South American version of the UEFA Champions League, SE Palmeiras leads deep in the three-minute stoppage time of extra time with 2-1 against CR Flamengo. The mood on the lawn of the Estadio Centenario in Uruguay is heated, after all, two real rivals are dueling: Palmeiras from São Paulo and Flamengo from Rio de Janeiro. Then Deyverson, Palmeira’s recently substituted striker, the man with the light blond hair, lets himself be carried away to one of the most incredible, cheeky and somehow also funniest swallows in the history of football.
Number nine, who briefly played in the Bundesliga at 1. FC Köln in 2015, first carries the ball to the corner flag to buy time. After a brief tussle with an opponent, referee Nestor Pitana separates the two fighters. Ball possession Flamengo, perhaps the last chance for the club from Rio, where ex-Bremen Diego is just sitting on the bench. The referee of the 2018 World Cup final then gives Deyverson, who is laughing and trotting away, a friendly pat on the back – and the 30-year-old falls theatrically to the ground, as if he had a secret dark force, a bullet or at least the foot of a Kung from behind. Fu fighter hit in the back.
First swallow, then title
Deyverson writhes, rolls back and forth, his face contorted with pain. He alternately holds his back and stomach. Diego and Co. complain from outside the field like reed sparrows. It is clear to everyone: the striker makes the dying swan to take even more time off the clock. The referee finally leans down to Deyverson, somewhat incredulous, and helps the attacker, who is still complaining, to his feet.
“Even after this bold action, the referee remained friendly and asked how he was,” analyzes referee expert Alex Feuerherdt from “Colinas Erben” for ntv.de. “Instead of a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct, he gave him the opportunity to save face.”
Commentators and fans alike don’t give a damn about Deyverson, who only recently became a hero when he used Flamengo’s gross mistake to score the decisive goal five minutes after coming on as a substitute for extra time. The striker is showered with ridicule online, but neither he nor Palmeiras should care. After the early lead by Raphael Veiga (5th) and the equalizer by striker Gabriel Barbosa in the 72nd minute, Deyverson’s joker goal was enough for the title in the end.
From the pastry seller to the swallow king
Deyverson’s name goes so well with his theatrical case insert (a football swallow is called “diver” in English) that Feuerherdt suggests that he should be called “Diverson” in the future “. But the striker has had a very dramatic history. According to the Brazilian newspaper “O Globo”, he grew up in poverty and sells savory biscuits on the street. He tries to become a footballer, but fails at all trial training sessions.
When finally the breakthrough through small clubs succeeds, Deyverson is known for his provocative, somewhat spirited style on the lawn. This is what happened again in the final of the Copa Libertadores, with perhaps the cheekiest swallow in history.