Lucas Evangelista nears return to boost Palmeiras midfield options | OneFootball

Lucas Evangelista has moved closer to a Palmeiras return after stepping up to group training following a muscle injury. The midfielder has not played since September last year, when he suffered a rupture in the posterior tendon of his right thigh.

According to Nosso Palestra, he has taken part in some full sessions with the squad and remains in a physical transition programme, with his progress viewed positively inside the club. The expectation is that he could be available against Vitória on Wednesday 4 at Arena Barueri.

His imminent comeback would leave Abel Ferreira with a near-complete central unit for the run ahead. Palmeiras have also added Marlon Freitas in midfield and retain Andreas Pereira, who has been in the squad since the second half of 2025.

Before the injury, Evangelista was in his best spell at the club, regularly starting alongside Andreas and another holding midfielder, then Anibal. He produced a standout display in the win over River Plate in the Libertadores quarter-finals.

Strong form in 2025 triggered an automatic contract extension to the end of 2027 after targets were met in his previous deal, which ran to December 2026. Signed for around four million euros, he has 33 appearances, two goals and three assists.

Source: Nosso Palestra