Meteoric rise and injury: Looking back at Khellven’s year with Palmeiras | OneFootball

Khellven finished the year at Palmeiras as the starting right-back, leaving the Argentine Agustín Giay on the bench. Despite some fluctuations and a foot injury during the year, he ended as Abel Ferreira’s first choice.

The young 24-year-old full-back arrived at Verdão in August 2025. The club paid 5 million euros (around R$ 32 million) for 100% of Khellven’s economic rights. His contract runs until July 2030.

He made an immediate impact upon arrival. In just a few games, Khellven overtook Giay and became the owner of the right-back position. However, this good form did not last. The player began to have physical problems from the end of September and, like Giay, was inconsistent.

The full-back was diagnosed with trauma to his right foot and missed part of the final stretch of the Brazilian Championship. He suffered the injury after a knock late in the match against River Plate, in the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals.

After returning from injury in October, the youngster’s form fluctuated a lot and he was even criticized by Abel Ferreira in the first leg of the continental semifinal—a 3–0 defeat to LDU. However, he finished 2025 as a starter. In total, he made 19 appearances and provided two assists for Verdão in 2025.

Revealed at Athletico-PR, where he played until 2023, the new signing returned to Brazil after two seasons with CSKA in Russia. He played 63 matches, scored five goals, and provided nine assists.

Situation at the club

A starter and a recent addition, Palmeiras does not want to sell him at this time. After all, currently, Abel Ferreira only has Khellven and the Argentine Giay for the right-back position, following the departures of Marcos Rocha and Mayke to Grêmio and Santos, respectively. Gilberto, a standout in the youth ranks for the position, could be a third option for 2026, but his future remains uncertain.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.