Paulinho starts for Palmeiras after 441 days as club assess how his body reacts | OneFootball

Paulinho made his first Palmeiras start in 441 days, playing 65 minutes in a 2-1 defeat to Atlético-MG. The forward has encouraged the club with how he has handled an increased workload in recent weeks.

According to Globo.com, the next two or three days will be decisive in mapping out his run in the side, with staff proceeding cautiously given his recent history.

The number 10 has undergone two surgeries on his right leg to correct fractures, the first while at Atlético-MG and the second at Palmeiras. After the World Cup break he was cleared to play more than a half, and given absences in attack he was selected to start on Sunday.

He registered two shots, 21 successful passes and four misplaced, showing the mobility to drop from the box and link with Andreas Pereira, Mauricio and Arias.

Across 25 appearances for Palmeiras he has started only twice, against São Paulo on 11 May 2025 and now against Atlético-MG.

Palmeiras have two days to prepare for Vitória on Wednesday, 21:30 Brasília time, at Barradão. They will also use that window to track Paulinho’s recovery.

Source: Globo.com