Palmeiras preserves Barboza and prepares the defender's debut after the World Cup

The defender's little use at the beginning of his career at the new club is part of a strategy by the technical committee and the Alviverde Health and Performance Center.

Barboza is doing specific load control work while adapting to Palmeiras' processes, but the club is planning for the defender to be available in the team's first game after the World Cup: against Coritiba, on the 22nd, at 7:30 pm (Brasília time), at Couto Pereira, for the Brasileirão.

The only training game that Barboza played was last Saturday (11), in which Palmeiras beat Juventus 3-1. The 31-year-old defender formed the defense duo with Murilo in the first half of the activity - played in four 35-minute halves.

Barboza hasn't taken the field for almost two months. The defender's last match was on May 20, against Independiente Petrolero, in the Copa Sudamericana.

Even after a long period without playing and after days of vacation, Barboza presented himself to Palmeiras in good physical condition, and that is why there is great optimism that he will be an option against Coritiba.

Palmeiras paid around R$20 million to take the defender from Botafogo. Coach Abel Ferreira has Gustavo Gómez, Murilo, Barboza and Bruno Fuchs available in the sector for the second semester (in addition to Benedetti and Koné, who are part of the support group from the base to the professional).

Barboza played 124 matches for Botafogo, scored four goals and was an important player in winning the 2024 Copa Libertadores do Brasileiro.

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