![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IKNCQTAEI5AQTTC3ZJQOYNAPMI.jpg?smart=true&auth=1413efac1fe8fde35b6e0d5640c26c7a51911ef879640636eb21f9df6c0d35b3&width=400&height=225)
Palestino's Paraguayan forward Junior Marabel, left, and Portuguesa's defender Darvis Rodriguez vie for the ball in Caracas. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KXBUU4HCUZA2FCFIDMQQXG6HTU.jpg?smart=true&auth=2e33fde7c1fc1d2f02caafaa12b08fe2677a0d50c97fb75e7f72f40714a1322e&width=400&height=225)
Palestino's Gonzalo Sosa celebrates after scoring during the Copa Libertadores' second round first leg against Venezuela's Portuguesa at the Brigido Iriarte Stadium in Caracas on February 20, 2024. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VUWO77H645EX7OT7BCVXPZNFGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=1af209d32fd120aa1a7a1c8cfc48f38035951466e068571aa2a67fb8d5036971&width=400&height=225)
Palestino club was founded in 1920 by Palestinian immigrants in Chile. Some of its players have also represented Palestine in Fifa tournaments. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZVPHZ3INIRA6FBUTU5N2MASPHE.jpg?smart=true&auth=227a4cf96971511fe53fc862646d820c07570aa5f083e4f989ff761ed0ed6d53&width=400&height=225)
Palestino players pose for a team photo ahead of the Copa Libertadores' match against Venezuela's Portuguesa last week. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LYRM4ZFV2JDLXCBLHYSKGLHXO4.jpg?smart=true&auth=0ebfe5563fd29b8a70112a5862cea29b2e01bce6f5cc39aaf3959d4a7b49b2f5&width=400&height=225)
Palestino fans cheer for their team at the La Cisterna Stadium in Santiago. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UL7VXVDAMRDEZPODITXGGO54PA.jpg?smart=true&auth=cc63ce666626b5f83da44751f063c27fcf85fdb03975bf600cebc92c2cef6fc5&width=400&height=225)
A Palestino fan with an old jersey in which the number one was replaced by a 1948 Palestine map. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IKNCQTAEI5AQTTC3ZJQOYNAPMI.jpg?smart=true&auth=1413efac1fe8fde35b6e0d5640c26c7a51911ef879640636eb21f9df6c0d35b3&width=400&height=225)
Palestino's Paraguayan forward Junior Marabel, left, and Portuguesa's defender Darvis Rodriguez vie for the ball in Caracas. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KXBUU4HCUZA2FCFIDMQQXG6HTU.jpg?smart=true&auth=2e33fde7c1fc1d2f02caafaa12b08fe2677a0d50c97fb75e7f72f40714a1322e&width=400&height=225)
Palestino's Gonzalo Sosa celebrates after scoring during the Copa Libertadores' second round first leg against Venezuela's Portuguesa at the Brigido Iriarte Stadium in Caracas on February 20, 2024. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VUWO77H645EX7OT7BCVXPZNFGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=1af209d32fd120aa1a7a1c8cfc48f38035951466e068571aa2a67fb8d5036971&width=400&height=225)
Palestino club was founded in 1920 by Palestinian immigrants in Chile. Some of its players have also represented Palestine in Fifa tournaments. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZVPHZ3INIRA6FBUTU5N2MASPHE.jpg?smart=true&auth=227a4cf96971511fe53fc862646d820c07570aa5f083e4f989ff761ed0ed6d53&width=400&height=225)
Palestino players pose for a team photo ahead of the Copa Libertadores' match against Venezuela's Portuguesa last week. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LYRM4ZFV2JDLXCBLHYSKGLHXO4.jpg?smart=true&auth=0ebfe5563fd29b8a70112a5862cea29b2e01bce6f5cc39aaf3959d4a7b49b2f5&width=400&height=225)
Palestino fans cheer for their team at the La Cisterna Stadium in Santiago. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UL7VXVDAMRDEZPODITXGGO54PA.jpg?smart=true&auth=cc63ce666626b5f83da44751f063c27fcf85fdb03975bf600cebc92c2cef6fc5&width=400&height=225)
A Palestino fan with an old jersey in which the number one was replaced by a 1948 Palestine map. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IKNCQTAEI5AQTTC3ZJQOYNAPMI.jpg?smart=true&auth=1413efac1fe8fde35b6e0d5640c26c7a51911ef879640636eb21f9df6c0d35b3&width=400&height=225)
Palestino's Paraguayan forward Junior Marabel, left, and Portuguesa's defender Darvis Rodriguez vie for the ball in Caracas. AFP
Palestino, the Chilean club whose projection matters far beyond the pitch
South American side with deep Middle East ties aims to progress to group stage of premier club competition
![Ian Hawkey](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F96f52b9a-4555-4c17-8cff-6fc2526824d5.png?smart=true&auth=687abaf05f4cc86a26f3998a06318c496c949aa829c6b4f450a8511e4a3a5557&width=70&height=70)
Ian Hawkey
27 February, 2024
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