Paulinho marks year since Palmeiras debut as return to action nears | OneFootball

Paulinho is edging closer to a Palmeiras comeback as Sunday marks one year since his debut for the club. According to Nosso Palestra, he is pain free and in advanced reconditioning, with hopes of returning later in April.

His first outing came in a derby with Corinthians, Palmeiras’ opponents in the Brasileirão this week, when the No 10 came off the bench in a 2-0 win at Arena Barueri.

He has not played since four July 2025, against Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals. After that match he stepped away to treat a shin problem that began in 2024 at Atlético-MG. He played through a stress fracture before surgery late that year.

Recovery required a further operation in 2025, extending his time out. He has since resumed full club routines, travelling with the squad and taking part in the warm-up before the Libertadores game against Júnior Barranquilla, though he has yet to be named in a matchday squad.

Inside the club he is regarded as a key piece for 2026 and the seasons to come, an important option for Abel Ferreira once fully fit. The hope now is that he finally strings together games and shows the potential that prompted Palmeiras to invest in him.

To date Paulinho has played fewer than 20 times for Palmeiras, scoring three goals, against Sporting Cristal in the Libertadores and Inter Miami and Botafogo at the Club World Cup.

Source: Nosso Palestra