Carlos Miguel’s start at Palmeiras has been far from easy since arriving from Nottingham Forest. The goalkeeper replaced first-choice Weverton, who injured his hand last week. What was meant to be a gradual adaptation turned into a baptism of fire.
His first two games could not have been tougher. He faced Flamengo in a top-of-the-table clash, then travelled to Quito to meet LDU in the Copa Libertadores semi-final.
Palmeiras lost both matches, conceding six goals in total – three in each. In just two appearances, Carlos Miguel surpassed the number of goals he allowed during his entire spell as a backup at Corinthians, which impressed Nottingham Forest and culminated in his signing.
Price paid to Nottingham Forest, pressure and past connections
Palmeiras paid €5.5m for the 25-year-old, the highest fee ever spent by the club for a goalkeeper. Expectations were huge. His past at rivals Corinthians and his move from the Premier League added more pressure.
The team’s defensive instability under Abel Ferreira has also made his job harder. Every mistake, every goal, has drawn heavy scrutiny from fans and media alike.
Brazilian outlets Estadão and GOAL described his first impressions as “disappointing” and “pressured”. The debate around his performances grew louder after the Libertadores defeat in Ecuador last Thursday.
Staying calm under scrutiny
Despite the noise, Carlos Miguel remains composed. Speaking to Globo Esporte, he said: “The opportunity, when it comes, doesn’t warn you a week or three days before. I’m very happy to be at Palmeiras and plan to stay for a long time.”
He also highlighted the mental demands of his position. “We goalkeepers can’t have a second of distraction or lack of concentration. It could cost a title,” he added.
A chance to turn things around
With Weverton sidelined until mid-November, Carlos Miguel will have more chances to prove himself. The coming weeks could define how his Palmeiras story is remembered.
A strong response now could change the narrative and show why the club invested in him. Or confirm fears that his arrival has been more pressure than promise.