Back from internationals, Arias should start for Palmeiras v Grêmio

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·02 de abril de 2026

Back from internationals, Arias should start for Palmeiras v Grêmio

In great form, forward Jhon Arias was the first Palmeiras player to return from the FIFA international break and is expected to start in the match against Grêmio this Thursday (2) at Arena Barueri in the Brazilian Championship.

The player reported back on Tuesday (31), took part in part of the activities at the Football Academy and, on Wednesday (1), trained normally with the rest of the squad.

Vídeos OneFootball

Standout during the FIFA break

Arias started in the friendlies against Croatia and France. In the first match, he played 71 minutes and scored a goal. In the second, he was on the pitch for 45 minutes, with no direct involvement in goals.

Quick adaptation

Signed for around 25 million euros (R$155 million), the forward needed eight matches to score his first goal for the club and establish himself as a starter in Abel Ferreira’s team. Since then, he has two goals in nine matches.

He was also decisive before the FIFA break, scoring the winning goal against São Paulo at Morumbi.

Arias speaks

After training this Wednesday, Arias commented on his start at the club.

– Happy with how my first steps in a Palmeiras shirt have gone so far. I think it has been a very quick adaptation, I was very well received by my teammates, the coaching staff, the club employees and the fans. That makes things and connections much easier. I’m focused on always doing my best and giving everything I can to help Palmeiras – he said

The player also highlighted the importance of this run of matches and his return after representing the national team.

It is always good to represent my country, my culture, my family. It is always a great privilege to be with the national team. It was a good FIFA break individually, I felt good in both matches. Unfortunately, we did not get the result we wanted, but that is part of the preparation. Happy to be back at Palmeiras, focused on the next objective ahead of us. We are reaching an important stage of the calendar: the Libertadores and the Copa do Brasil are starting, and we are coming off a good run in the Brasileirão. I return with the ambition to keep picking up points at the top of the competition and to get off to a good start in the others as well,” he said.

Regarding the clash against Grêmio, Arias expects a demanding contest.

– It will be a difficult match, one that will demand a lot from us. It is the first after the FIFA break, a more complicated game because there is little time between the return of the players from their national teams. It is always more demanding, but I know the fans will be at Arena Barueri, supporting and encouraging us. We will give our best to get this important victory for us – he concluded

Palmeiras are the leaders of the competition, with 19 points, and are looking to maintain their strong start to the Brasileirão. Grêmio, coached by Luis Castro, are in eighth place in the table with 11 points.

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