Veiga endures a frustrating year at Palmeiras, eyes a comeback in 2026 | OneFootball

If 2025 was a year of affirmation for some names in the squad, for Raphael Veiga the feeling is one of rebuilding. Considered one of the greatest idols in the recent history of Palmeiras, the number 23 ends the season under the weight of criticism and statistics that do not match his history at the club. Between injuries and mistakes in decisive moments, the midfielder finished the year owing the football that had made him a pillar of Palmeiras’ triumphs.

Veiga’s numbers in 2025 reflect a sharp drop in performance. In 53 matches played (starting in 31), the midfielder scored only seven goals and provided 11 assists. To get an idea of the decline, the player hadn’t been involved in so few goals since 2019, the year he returned to Verdão and played just 20 matches. Since establishing himself, his lowest goal tally in a single season had been 18—almost triple what he managed this year.

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Beyond the low productivity, the season was marked by moments the fans would rather forget. The harshest blow came in the final of the Campeonato Paulista: with rivals Corinthians leading 1–0 on aggregate, Veiga had the chance to tie the classic in the final minutes with a penalty kick. However, his shot was saved by Hugo Souza, sealing the title for the black-and-white side and sparking a wave of questions about his ability to deliver in decisive moments.

Another factor that undermined the midfielder’s continuity was his medical record. Departing from the “Veiga standard” of physical availability, the player suffered three different issues throughout 2025. He was out for 24 days with a shoulder injury in April, had problems in the lumbar region, and most seriously, a pubic injury that sidelined him for 37 days between August and September, keeping him out of seven crucial matches.

With the season ending this December, Raphael Veiga’s challenge is clear: to use the vacation to fully recover physically and mentally. For Palmeiras, getting their number 23 back to his best is the top priority in their 2026 planning, hoping the midfielder can leave the ups and downs behind and return to being the maestro capable of deciding titles and leading Verdão’s attacking sector.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.