World Cup boost propels Palmeiras stars into decisive title run
Following their return from the 2026 World Cup, Jhon Arias and Ramón Sosa have become key figures for Palmeiras in the decisive stretch of the season.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 / Author: TV Alviverde
Participation in the 2026 World Cup has provided a significant boost to Palmeiras players returning to the club for the final stretch of the season. Among the seven squad members called up for the tournament, Jhon Arias and Ramón Sosa have immediately emerged as key protagonists under manager Abel Ferreira.
Colombian forward Arias has been directly involved in three goals since the restart, including a goal against Vitória and two assists in matches against Atlético-MG and Vitória. Similarly, Paraguayan winger Sosa has recorded three direct goal involvements in just two league appearances.
The duo experienced contrasting fortunes during the World Cup. While Arias was a mainstay for Colombia until their Round of 16 exit, Sosa saw limited action, featuring only in the opening match against the United States. Despite this, both players have successfully leveraged their post-tournament preparation to secure their places in the starting lineup.
I returned calm after the World Cup and we had a mini pre-season at Palmeiras that helped me a lot. We played very well against Coritiba and I was able to help the team. That's the most important thing and I'm happy to be able to help with goals. We must continue like this. Ramón Sosa
Meanwhile, forward Flaco López continues to play a vital role after reaching the World Cup final with Argentina. Although his minutes were limited, his impact off the bench against Switzerland was crucial to his team's path to the semifinals. He maintains an impressive record of 14 goals and 8 assists in 36 appearances this season.