Palmeiras await Paulinho return as forward steps up recovery | OneFootball

Palmeiras are awaiting the return of Paulinho, who stepped up his recovery by joining first-team technical work on Monday 30 at the Academia de Futebol.

Palmeiras are preparing to face Grêmio on Thursday 2 at 21:30 at Arena Barueri in the 9th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro, and despite progress the forward remains a doubt. In March, he said his aim was to be back after the international window, speaking to Cazé TV after the 2-1 win over Grêmio Novorizontino that sealed the Campeonato Paulista title, where he had been the only absentee.

Paulinho is undergoing physical reconditioning after an extended absence. He has not played since 4 July, and underwent surgery in July 2025 to repair a stress fracture in his right tibia, keeping him out for more than eight months.

Since that operation, Palmeiras have taken a cautious approach. The striker has managed pain in the area for more than a year and a half dating back to his Atlético-MG spell, with the issue first diagnosed in 2024 after which he still played for around six months before an initial procedure.

He returned at the start of last year with encouraging healing, but discomfort increased as training and match load rose. He featured in only 16 games before being sidelined again after the Club World Cup for a further surgery, this time fixing the bone with a stronger implant to better tolerate the demands of recovery.

Source: Nosso Palestra