Gabigol – Foto: Instagram
Gabriel Barbosa, Gabigol, Cruzeiro striker, shared predictions about Brazilian football during a Kings League event in São Paulo on the night of Monday, November 10, 2025. The player, who has played for Raposa since the beginning of the season, named rival Atlético-MG as the favorite for the Copa Sudamericana title, a competition in a decisive phase. He also defended Santos’ permanence in Série A and projected achievements for Flamengo and Cruzeiro in national and continental tournaments.
At 29 years old and with a remarkable spell at clubs like Flamengo and Santos, Gabigol expressed optimism about the teams he previously defended. His statements took place on a live broadcast, where he analyzed the final stretch of the Brasileirão and the cup finals. The context includes Cruzeiro’s good moment in the Brazilian Championship table, with 64 points in third place.
The talk about Atlético-MG came after the Minas Gerais classic in the Copa do Brasil, where Cruzeiro advanced with 2-0 victories in each quarter-final game. Despite the elimination of his rival, Gabigol recognized Galo’s Minas Gerais title and highlighted his campaign in the South American Championship.
- Cruzeiro: third place in the Brasileirão with 64 points, four behind leaders Palmeiras and Flamengo.
- Atlético-MG: South American finalist after beating Independiente del Valle 3-1 on aggregate.
- Santos: 17th place with 33 points, opening the Z-4 and needing points in the classic against Palmeiras.
Minas Gerais rivalry in focus
Atlético-MG reached the final of the Copa Sudamericana on October 28, 2025, by beating Independiente del Valle 3-1 at Arena MRV, in Belo Horizonte. Arana, Bernard and Hulk scored the goals for the Black and Whites, guaranteeing the classification with 4-2 on the aggregate score. The decision takes place on November 22, in Asunción, Paraguay, against the winner of Lanús and Universidad de Chile.
Gabigol, who has already won the 2024 Copa do Brasil with Flamengo at Arena MRV, praised Galo’s consistency in the continental competition. The team from Minas Gerais, coached by Jorge Sampaoli, has 36 points in the Brasileirão, in 13th place, and faces Fortaleza this Wednesday, November 12th, in a delayed game.
This projection is surprising due to the historic rivalry between Cruzeiro and Atlético-MG, intensified by the recent elimination in the Copa do Brasil.
Predictions for Libertadores and Copa do Brasil
Flamengo, Gabigol’s former club, is nominated as champion of the Libertadores 2025, with the final against Palmeiras scheduled for Lima, Peru. Rubro-Negro, second in the Brasileirão with 68 points, tied with leader Palmeiras, is looking for a third continental championship after titles in 2019 and 2022.
In the Brasileirão, Gabigol avoided naming the winner, but admitted preference for Flamengo in the direct dispute with Palmeiras. Cruzeiro, his current team, remains in the fight for the national titlel and for the Copa do Brasil, where they face Corinthians in the semi-finals in December.
These bets reflect the balance in the table, with just four points separating the top three.
The striker highlighted Cruzeiro’s campaign, undefeated in the second round so far.
Santos’ moment in Series A
Santos occupies 17th place in the Brasileirão, with 33 points, and opens the relegation zone after a 2-0 defeat to Palmeiras in the 32nd round. The São Paulo team has a 50.5% chance of falling, according to calculations by the Federal University of Minas Gerais, the highest risk among clubs outside the initial Z-4.
Gabigol, who started his career at Peixe, secured his stay in the elite and predicted a 1-0 victory in the delayed classic against Palmeiras, on November 15, at Vila Belmiro. He named Neymar as the scorer of the decisive goal, in the midst of a hostile environment for the visitor.
The confrontation is valid for the 13th round and could take Santos out of the Z-4 in case of victory. Fábio Carille’s team has six wins, 15 draws and 11 defeats so far.
Expectations for the Santos classic
Neymar, Santos’ number 10, returns to the team after injury and represents hope in the fight against relegation. The player, a friend of Gabigol, scored eight goals this season, contributing to 25% of Peixe’s points.
Palmeiras, leader with 68 points, won the last three classics against Santos, all 2-0. Despite this, Vila Belmiro only recorded one defeat against Santos.in the last ten home games.
Gabigol mentioned the “fire corridor” at the entrance to the stadium, referring to the organized fans that put pressure on the opponents.
The match takes place at 9pm on November 15th, broadcast on TV Globo and Sportv.
- Recent history: Palmeiras undefeated in the classics since 2023.
- Neymar’s position: team’s top scorer with eight goals in 20 games.
- Importance: Vitória Santos equals points with Vitória, 16th place.
Gabigol’s performance at Cruzeiro
Since January 2025, Gabigol has accumulated 13 goals and four assists in 43 games for Cruzeiro. The striker, Leonardo Jardim’s reserve, participates in goals every 2.5 matches on average.
His adaptation included the Campeonato Mineiro title in May, where he scored three times against rivals. In the Brasileirão, he contributed with five goals, helping in the third place campaign.
The player traveled to São Paulo after the 2-1 victory over Fluminense on Sunday, November 9, at Mineirão. The day off ends on Wednesday, with a re-performance at Toca da Raposa.
This phase reinforces his versatility, with assists in 30% of direct appearances.
