Ketlen returns from maternity leave to rejoin Sereias da Vila training | OneFootball

Ketlen, the Sereias da Vila forward, returned from maternity leave on Monday, 23 March, rejoining Santos training at CT Rei Pelé under head coach Caio Couto.

According to Diario Do Peixe, she completed physical work and ball drills and was welcomed by team-mates with a corredor polonês guard of honour.

She said she feels in one piece and will build up gradually, noting that Lucca’s good health lets her focus on improving and wearing the Santos shirt again.

With unprecedented care in Brazilian football, she trained with the squad until the final month of pregnancy to aid her return. After five months out, she recalled first struggling to think about training before realising she missed it and fitting in an hour at the gym.

The forward enjoyed catching up with colleagues, many yet to meet Lucca, and described herself as addicted to the daily rhythm of training and matches.

Santos’ record appearance maker and scorer, she hopes to extend those marks and to walk out with Lucca one day, while working to be ready for the team and for matches.

Lucca was born on 20 November. She did not play last season, announced her pregnancy before the year began, and, with medical clearance and fitness guidance, trained up to eight months while avoiding tactical and full-contact sessions. Her contract runs to 2026 and she has 363 appearances and 207 goals for Santos.

Source: Diario Do Peixe