Natascha Honegger back for Palmeiras after year-long injury lay-off

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Nosso Palestra

·18 August 2026

Natascha Honegger back for Palmeiras after year-long injury lay-off

After more than a year away from the pitch, Natascha Honegger played an official match for Palmeiras again. The goalkeeper started in the 3-0 win over Juventude last Sunday (16) at Arena Crefisa Barueri, in the penultimate round of the Brazilian Women’s Championship.

Her return brought to an end a long recovery process that began in May 2025, when the goalkeeper suffered a serious injury to her left knee during the derby against São Paulo in the Brazilian Women’s Championship.

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At the time, Natascha tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL), in addition to suffering a meniscus injury. The player underwent surgery the following month and began an extensive treatment and rehabilitation routine.

For more than a year, the goalkeeper completed every stage laid out by Palmeiras’ medical and fitness staff. Her progress was gradual until Natascha returned to normal training with the squad and began taking part in pre-match warm-ups. Later, she was cleared to officially return to the pitch.

After the match against Juventude, the goalkeeper highlighted the emotion of playing again after everything she went through during the recovery period.

I lived through one of those moments that words can hardly explain. Playing an official match again after everything I went through made my whole journey flash before my eyes.

Natascha also recalled the difficult moments she faced during recovery and thanked the people who stood by her throughout the process.

The injury, the surgery, the difficult days, the uncertainties, every small step forward, and every time I needed to believe that this moment would come. And looking back, all I can feel is gratitude.

The goalkeeper also emphasized her faith and said she placed the moment in God’s hands before the match.

Before the game, I placed this moment in God’s hands. In the end, my heart only knew how to give thanks for everything He has done and continues to do in my life.

For Natascha, the return represents the beginning of a new chapter in her career.

Today, a new journey begins. I return stronger, more mature, with even more love for what I do and with a heart overflowing with gratitude.

At Palmeiras since 2024, Natascha Honegger built her career with spells in Swiss football, her home country, and at France’s Paris FC. In Brazil, she also played for Corinthians and Flamengo before joining the green-and-white club.

Her performances also earned the goalkeeper a place in the Brazil Women’s National Team. Natascha was part of the squad that won the 2022 Women’s Copa América.

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