Gustavo Scarpa bid a fond ‘farewell’ to Brazilian champions Palmeiras on Thursday ahead of his January move to Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest, as reported by Globo Esporte, signing off in style with a goal on his final home appearance.
Firing home a penalty during a 2-1 victory over America MG before departing to a standing ovation late on, this was a more-than-fitting conclusion to Scarpa’s outstanding five year spell at the Allianz Parque.
He takes with him eight trophies, successive Copa Libertadores winners’ medals, and a tally of assists that even Kevin de Bruyne would be proud of. And, with the deal already agreed, the next time you see Scarpa playing a competitive fixture on home soil, he will be wearing Garibaldi red at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground.
Palmeiras talisman Gustavo Scarpa is signing for Nottingham Forest
“For me, I think this is one of the my most special moments here at Palmeiras,” says an emotional Scarpa. “Since I started thinking about my departure, since I signing the pre-contract (with Nottingham Forest), I wanted to score a goal in my farewell to the Allianz Parque.
“I brought practically all my family, many friends, people who were and still are very important (with me to the game). Being able to score the goal with everyone present is gratifying. I’m very grateful for that.
“Without a doubt, (this is the) farewell of my dreams. When I left the pitch and the whole stadium was screaming my name, this was something that will mark my career. I’m very grateful for everything I’ve experienced in these five years at Palmeiras.
“It’s over, but it’s ended in the best possible way.”
Palmeiras have already secured the Brazilian Serie A title for 2022; Scarpa providing 13 goals and 17 assists in all competitions from his favoured attacking midfield role. The late-blooming playmaker knows full well that he faces a different sort of challenge at relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest. But those ongoing issues at the wrong end of the table have not quelled Scarpa’s encouragement for a fresh start and a new adventure.
‘A wand of a left foot’
“He’s an attacking midfielder. He is not particularly well-built but he has a lovely left foot; A wand of a left foot,” South American expert Tim Vickery explains to talkSPORT.
“He’s going to struggle with the physicality. But that left foot, from set-pieces… terrific. The fact that he wants that experience of living in another country makes the whole adaptation process a lot easier. I’m fascinated to see how he gets on.”
“I remember, a few years back, he was playing in the same Fluminense side as Richarlison,” Vickery recalls. “And if you stopped 100 Fluminense fans on the street and asked ‘which is going to be the big star?’, 99 of them would have said Gustavo Scarpa.
“Richarlison has that kamikaze physicality. Gustavo Scarpa doesn’t have that. But he does have a lovely left foot.”
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