Rested for the opener, Piquerez now Palmeiras’ only left-back option | OneFootball

Palmeiras started the year 2026 with losses and a crowded medical department. The latest setback was the injury of left-back Jefté, who got hurt in the first half of Palmeiras’ 1-0 victory over Portuguesa last Saturday (10), in the team’s debut in the Campeonato Paulista. Now, Piquerez will be the only left-back available to Abel Ferreira in the professional squad.

This is the opposite situation from 2025, when Piquerez started the year injured and watched Vanderlan and Caio Paulista compete for the spot. Neither of them secured the position—Vanderlan was sold to Red Bull Bragantino and Caio went on consecutive loans to Atlético-MG and Grêmio. Piquerez remains a mainstay in defense.

A shadow for the Uruguayan?

Without Jefté and with Piquerez as the only option, Palmeiras fans will likely see another youth player from the academy join the squad in the opening rounds of the Campeonato Paulista to rotate with the Uruguayan left-back. This is 20-year-old left-back Arthur Gabriel. The youngster, like defender Koné, was registered on both lists A and B for Verdão in the State Championship last Monday (12).

In the match against Portuguesa, after Jefté’s injury, Giay, a right-back, was moved over to fill this role during the game.

Arthur had been playing for Palmeiras’ U-20 team in the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior. He scored a goal and provided an assist in the 4-2 win over Monte Roraima, but was sent off in the following round, during the 9-0 thrashing of Batalhão, and served a suspension against Remo.

Against Vitória, this Tuesday, he was not included in the squad and continued his schedule with the senior team, possibly being listed for the match against Santos this Wednesday (14).

Upcoming matches for Verdão

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