Paulinho named in Palmeiras squad and could return to action | OneFootball

“It is already a remarkable and emotional day. Of course, this week I had it in my head that there was a great chance of being included in the squad for the game, and we worked very hard toward that since Monday. No matter how much we prepare our minds, there is always a bit of anxiety, which is normal. My conscience is clear because of everything I fought for, everything I worked through to reach this moment of being included again and being available to the coach to help the team. I believe tomorrow will be even more emotional, with my family at the stadium, returning after a very difficult period, both physically and mentally. I am trying to take it all in, and I hope to top it off tomorrow with a win and, if possible, a few minutes in the match,” explained the green-and-white No. 10. “May will be important for me because my return to matches will become a reality. We will be very cautious with minutes and workload control, which is the most important thing in taking care of the injury. It is an injury that really forces us to be very cautious when choosing the moments to increase the load. These will be important weeks. The Copa break will also be very good and important to help the body recover from all of this nine-month process I went through so that, afterward, I can come back better with the group and achieve the goals we are aiming for,”

“First of all, I have to be thankful. It is a feeling of great gratitude for the entire staff, the entire Health Department, the group of players, the coaching staff, everyone who in some way tried to help me during this process. It was very difficult for me; at certain moments I tried to feel part of the group even while away from matches and training, and I am very grateful to these people who helped me with that. Tomorrow will be a day when I will be able to thank everyone in a very genuine way. I think this unity, not only within the group but throughout the entire Palmeiras staff, is what makes us so successful and keeps us always on the path of chasing titles,” he concluded.

“Paulinho has progressed over the last few days. He has been reaching match-like intensity levels, though still with some volume restrictions, namely distance and time. But given this stability and consistency since last week, that already allows him to be called up and made available to the coaching staff in this final stage of rehabilitation.” “There is already clinical recovery and consolidation of the fracture corrected by surgery, but this final phase still requires biomechanical and physical parameters to be met, and for that reason the player is still not at full capacity and broadly cleared for matches. The fact that he is being called up for this game does not mean that, from now on, he will be called up regularly. That will depend on workload progression and on how he responds when he is used. Whether he plays a little or not, he will be pushed in training during the week, and all of that helps build the foundation and structure Paulinho needs to handle the 2026 season,” he said.

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