Russian Palmeiras fan details dinner with Gerson’s father, fueling rumors of reinforcement for 2026

Julia Lyandrush, a Russian Palmeiras fan based in Russia, met with Marcão, father and agent of midfielder Gerson, in St. Petersburg last week. The meeting during the BRICS Forum sparked speculation among Palmeiras fans. Photos of the dinner went viral on social media, fueling rumors of a possible interest from the Sao Paulo club in the player for 2026. Gerson has been playing for Zenit since July 2025, after leaving Flamengo.
The gathering, described as casual by Lyandrush, involved a dinner hosted by Marcão. The fan traveled with her brother Albert to the international event, highlighting the global passion for Palmeiras, with Lyandrush known for her dedicated posts about the team.
Gerson’s major titles at Flamengo: Brasileirão 2019 and 2020, Libertadores 2019 and 2021, Copa do Brasil 2020. His current contract at Zenit runs until 2030, with an estimated market value of 40 million euros. Recent interactions include liking a fan’s post calling for his signing by Palmeiras in October 2025.
The circumstances of the meeting in St. Petersburg revolved around the BRICS Forum that brought together leaders and participants in the city from November 18-20, 2025. Julia Lyandrush, 18, took advantage of Marcão’s presence in the city to arrange the meeting. Marcão invited the group to have dinner at a local restaurant, and the fan praised the hospitality of the agent. No formal business agenda was initially mentioned.
Julia’s statements about the rumors indicated her reluctance to provide details on negotiations. She mentioned that Gerson has adapted well to Russian football and denied having the capacity to confirm transfers. Speculations arose after she shared photos of the encounter. When pressed directly, Julia chose to remain neutral, focusing on the kindness of the meeting.
Gerson, 28, made a name for himself at Flamengo since 2019, playing 198 matches for the Rio club. The midfielder contributed with 21 goals and 35 assists for the team. His leadership led to him being appointed captain in 2025. The transfer to Zenit took place in July for 25 million euros, marking one of the most significant departures from Brazilian football recently. Before Flamengo, Gerson had stints at Fluminense and Roma, and his return to Brazil has been a recurring topic since his initial adaptation in Russia.
Negotiating with Zenit poses challenges as the Russian club demands 40 million euros for Gerson’s release, 15 million more than they paid Flamengo. Zenit prioritizes financial stability in their signings, and Gerson’s initial injuries affected his performance in 2025. Currently, the player has participated in six matches for the team from St. Petersburg, with his contract extending until 2030.
The reception among Palmeiras fans to the dinner news was positive, with thousands of views within 48 hours. Comments highlighted the differences between Gerson and recent Palmeiras players, with the supporters calling for reinforcements in midfield. Lyandrush, a fan since she was 15, inspires stories of international devotion to the club, with her brother sharing the same passion for Verdão. The rumors of Gerson joining Palmeiras in 2026 began in July, right after his departure from Flamengo, as the club monitors the market for the upcoming season. In October, a like on Instagram reignited the debate, with direct appeals to President Leila Pereira from fans. The club focuses on experienced players without compromising the budget, with recent investments including renewals in the youth academy.