Palmeiras sign ex-Real Madrid defender Antonia Silva for 2026 push | OneFootball

Palmeiras have signed defender Antonia Silva, 32, to bolster their women's team for the remainder of the 2026 season, the club announced on Thursday. The Brazil international, a centre-back who can also play right-back, joins after two seasons with Real Madrid.

In her first words as a Palmeiras player, Antonia praised the club's project and said talks were straightforward. She expressed excitement about the challenge and promised total commitment, highlighting grit as a defining trait.

Born in Riacho de Santana, Rio Grande do Norte, she started in futsal before switching to football. At 16 she moved to São Paulo, featuring for Tiger/Portuguesa and São José. She was later named best defender in the Campeonato Paulista with Ponte Preta, then earned her first Brazil call-up.

Her honours include the 2017 Copa Libertadores with Audax. With Iranduba in 2018 she took continental bronze and was voted best defender of the Brasileiro. In 2019 at São Paulo she repeated Paulista and Brasileirão best defender awards, leading to moves to Madrid CFF, Levante UD and most recently Real Madrid.

A regular for the Seleção since 2017, she won the Copa América Feminina in 2022 and 2025. She claimed Olympic silver at Paris 2024 and played at the 2023 Women's World Cup.

Palmeiras add an experienced defender accustomed to major competitions in Brazil and Europe, as well as extensive international duty.

Source: Nosso Palestra

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