Paulinho returned to play for Palmeiras. After 306 days since the striker last entered the field, he was called on in the second half of the classic against Santos, this Saturday (2), in the 14th round of Series A of the Brazilian Championship.
The last time he played before this weekend’s match was in , on July 4, 2025. On that occasion, he entered the second stage of the quarter-finals, against Chelsea, when Verão ended up eliminated from the tournament.
Since then, it took 302 days, 43 weeks and 10 months until Paulinho was able to return to playing for Palmeiras. After the World Cup, the striker underwent new surgery to correct a stress fracture in the tibia of his right leg.
Paulinho had been training regularly with the Alviverde squad for around two months, but underwent an intense physical reconditioning process.
During his entire stay at Verdão, the striker had 16 games, three goals and two assists. Palmeiras paid 18 million euros (R$ 115 million at the time) to Atlético to sign Paulinho, in addition to giving two players to Galo.
