Why Antonia left Real Madrid for Palmeiras to seek minutes before home World Cup | OneFootball

Palmeiras have signed Brazil international Antonia, 32, from Real Madrid on a two-year contract with an option of one more. After six seasons in Spain across three clubs, she has moved to pursue more consistent minutes ahead of the World Cup in Brazil.

According to Globo.com, she was under contract with Real Madrid until 2027, but with a year to go before the tournament she wanted to play regularly. The World Cup is scheduled in Brazil from 24 June to 25 July. She attended Palmeiras' 1-0 derby win over Corinthians at Arena Crefisa Barueri last week in the Paulista.

Under coach Pau Quesada, who took charge in August last year, opportunities were limited, featuring in five matches and listed as an unused substitute 12 times. In 2025 she had started 16 matches.

She weighed returning to Brazil or moving to Mexico, and while Corinthians made contact, talks did not progress. Despite higher offers from Mexico, Italy and Türkiye, she chose Palmeiras for its infrastructure, financial security and the chance to target silverware.

She felt the club's project was ambitious and wanted to be part of it, believing the move could keep her competitively in the spotlight for national-team selection.

Palmeiras' recent honours include the 2025 Copa do Brasil feminina, the Paulista and the Brasil Ladies Cup, and they opened 2026 with the Supercopa do Brasil. With Isadora leaving for Cruzeiro, Antonia also covers right-back and centre-back, having begun as a midfielder and playing futsal until age 23 before switching to football.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”