Zanotti makes history, Lelê returns in Brazil rout

In partnership with

Central do Timão

·4 December 2025

Zanotti makes history, Lelê returns in Brazil rout

By Mirella Ramos / Central do Timão Editorial Team

The Brazilian Women's National Team concluded the November FIFA Date with a 5-0 victory over Portugal on Tuesday (2), at the Municipal Stadium of Aveiro, in Portugal. The friendly match featured four Corinthians athletes, including goalkeeper Lelê, who returned to play for Brazil after two years.

The game also marked a historic achievement for Gabi Zanotti. The number 10 opened the scoring in the first minute and became the second oldest player to score for the Brazilian National Team, at 40 years and nine months, a record surpassed only by Formiga, who scored her last goal at 41 years and eight months, in 2019. The data was released by the profile Fut das Minas, based on information from the portal OGol.

OneFootball Videos

Photos: Lívia Villas Boas / CBF

Zanotti returned to wear the National Team jersey after almost six years, since her last participation in December 2019. In this FIFA Date, she played 96 minutes, scored a goal, and provided an assist for Ludmilla in the first half of the match against Portugal.

Goalkeeper Lelê was a starter for the full 90 minutes and had a secure performance upon her return. According to SofaScore data, she recorded three saves and 28 successful passes out of 30 attempts. This was her first match for the National Team since December 2023, when she played two friendlies against Japan.

Photos: Lívia Villas Boas / CBF

Lelê's prolonged absence from the National Team was due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in her left knee, suffered in February 2024 during training with Corinthians. Her recovery included surgery and a season-long absence, with another break after experiencing pain upon her return at the end of the year. Her definitive return to the field occurred only in August 2025, in the Paulista Women's Championship.

During her absence, goalkeeper Nicole Ramos took over as the starter at Corinthians but is also out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery due to an injury suffered in the Libertadores final. As a result, Lelê and Kemelli will share the competition for the position in the year's final stretch. Off the field, the club has arranged to renew Lelê's contract until December 2026.

Besides the duo, Corinthians players Duda Sampaio and Thaís Ferreira also started for the Brazilian team against Portugal, while Mariza remained on the bench. The Corinthians group played a direct role in the Brazilian victory, which concluded the last FIFA Date of the year with a rout over Portugal, following a 3-1 defeat to Norway.

Corinthians will return to the field this Thursday (4), at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), at the Neo Química Arena, for the second leg of the Paulista Championship semifinal against São Paulo. The Brabas won the first leg 2-1, with two goals from Jhonson, and now only need a draw to secure a spot in the final.

See more: