São Paulo
It is a day of great expectation for the Palmeiras fans and for Leila Pereira, the first woman elected president of one of the largest soccer clubs in Brazil. This Friday (4), at 22h (Brasília time), the Palestra faces Chelsea for the quarterfinals of the FIFA Club World Cup.
“I being Corinthian and loving Aunt Leila,” says one follower of the businesswoman. On social networks, she poses smiling in front of a flower arrangement from a Hotel in Philadelphia in the US, displaying her pink and green -stamped Chanel bag.
Being dear to the rival fans is not new to Leila. In 2023, a scene in Maracanã went viral on the internet: Flamengo fans surrounded the president of the São Paulo club and asked selfies with her, who attended solicita, making a little heart with hands.
In an interview with F5on the eve of the quarterfinals, Leila spoke about her career and bet on the safety that passes and hard work as the reasons behind so much moral with the public. “I think I have the ability to convey to people something that, unfortunately, still lacks Brazilian football: credibility,” he says.
“Many major clubs in Brazil are broken because their leaders are irresponsibly spending, as if there was no tomorrow,” he says. “But this tomorrow always arrives and who pays the duck is the fan.”
Anyone who knows Leila knows that she is not afraid to pinch like this and nor to say what she thinks. “I have no problem expressing myself for what I believe is right,” he confirms.
With his frank and firm personality, he clasped with Conmebol to collect more rigorous mechanisms to combat racism in the field. In March this year, he called “ridiculous” the penalty of $ 50,000 given to the Paraguayan club Cerro Porteño for an episode that killed the player Luighi.
“For starters in the start of games is a fine of $ 100,000 [cerca de R$ 540 mil]by flag is $ 78 thousand [R$ 420 mil]Then see how Conmebol deals with this crime of racism. I found it ashamed, “she said at the time.
‘Success bothers’
Elected President of Palmeiras in 2021 and reelected in 2024, Leila intends to leave as a legacy much more than titles on the club’s shelf. She describes her management as “committed to the challenge of positively impacting the football industry and the whole of society.”
“With professional management, financial balance and solid values, a club can be victorious on and off the pitch,” he says.
In childhood, Leila, 60, did not call football. Born in Cambuci, in the interior of Rio de Janeiro, and raised in Cabo Frio, he left home early to study journalism in the state capital. There, he met José Roberto Lamacchia, 78 – yes, a great Palmeirense -, with whom he has been married for 25 years.
Alongside her husband, founder of Crefisa, Leila made a career in the financial market and completed a second degree in law. In 2015, the company became the main sponsor of Palmeiras, and Leila joined the club’s advice, where it stood out. With a business, he made successful signings for the team and reached the presidency.
Competence, however, did not always guarantee Leila the respect of everyone – otherwise, she says. Being a woman of power in a traditionally male environment, she underwent trials at the beginning and even today. But that does not shake it.
“When I was elected president of Palmeiras, I began to better understand the issue of machismo. You begin to realize that your success bothers you and that, being a woman, you have to prove all your competence all the time. I get some criticism that I would certainly not receive if you were a man,” he says.
‘The plane is mine’
In a recent episode, Leila gave another example of diligence by refuting criticism that she would have used a plane from one of her companies, the score, to carry Palmeiras players.
“To make it clear: the plane is mine. I bought this plane so that the athletes can travel when they need it, without depending on chartered plane. Who would not want to have a president who buys a plane and pays all expenses for the club to travel?” The fans of Palmeiras and that of ‘Aunt Leila’ – went crazy with the “seal”.
“I often say that I was already a feminist even before knowing what feminism is,” she says. “I always wanted to be an independent woman. In fact, I don’t have my husband’s last name. He, yes, should add Pereira to his last name,” he jokes.
Opportunities
“I am very happy with this affection I receive, especially from girls, who feel represented when they see the success of a club run by a woman in such a male environment as football. I am an example that we women just need more opportunities to show our competence,” he comments.
“I hope the success of Palmeiras during my management will open doors for other women to seek their space in traditionally male environments such as football,” says Leila, who is the only woman to run a team throughout the World Cup. If Palmeiras wins from Chelsea, the team advances to the semifinals.
