Paloma Maciel (born 23 August 1999) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as either a centre-back or a defensive midfielder for Cruzeiro and the Brazil national team.[1]

Paloma Maciel
Personal information
Full name Paloma Maciel
Date of birth (1999-08-23) 23 August 1999 (age 26)[1]
Place of birth Três Barras, Brazil[1]
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Positions
Team information
Current team
Cruzeiro
Number 4
Youth career
2016 Brusque Futsal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017 Fluminense do Itaum [pt] 4 (3)
2018 Marcílio Dias 6 (0)
2020–2023 Athletico Paranaense 41 (2)
2023– Cruzeiro 63 (4)
International career
2026– Brazil 1 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 01:34, 13 April 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 01:34, 13 April 2026 (UTC)

Club career

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Born in Três Barras, Santa Catarina,[2] Paloma Maciel began playing professionally with a futsal side in Brusque. She later played with football sides Fluminense do Itaum [pt] and Marcílio Dias as a forward, before returning to futsal.[3]

In 2020, after a trial period, Paloma Maciel signed for Athletico Paranaense, where she was moved back to a defensive midfielder position. In September 2023, she moved to Cruzeiro.[4]

On 10 January 2024, Paloma Maciel renewed her contract with the Cabulosas.[5] On 29 October of the following year, already established as a first-choice as a centre-back, she further extended her link until December 2027.[6]

International career

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On 25 March 2026, Paloma Maciel was called up to the Brazil national team by head coach Arthur Elias for the 2026 FIFA Series.[7] She made her full international debut on 11 April, coming on as a late substitute for Thaís Ferreira in a 5–1 routing of South Korea at the Arena Pantanal.[8]

Honours

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Athletico Paranaense

Cruzeiro

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 Paloma Maciel at Soccerway. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  2. "De Três Barras para o Brasileirão Feminino: Paloma Maciel brilha na final do Brasileirão com a camisa do Cruzeiro" [From Três Barras to the Brasileirão Feminino: Paloma Maciel shines in the Brasileirão final with the shirt of Cruzeiro] (in Brazilian Portuguese). A Gazeta Tresbarrense. 8 September 2025. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  3. "Estrela de Três Barras, Paloma Maciel é convocada para a Seleção Brasileira" [Star of Três Barras, Paloma Maciel is called up to the Brazil national team] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Portal RDX. 27 March 2026. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  4. "Atleta tresbarrense, Paloma Maciel é contratada pelo Cruzeiro Esporte Clube de Belo Horizonte" [Tresbarrense athlete, Paloma Maciel is signed by Cruzeiro Esporte Clube from Belo Horizonte] (in Brazilian Portuguese). A Gazeta Tresbarrense. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  5. "Cruzeiro renova com Rebeca, Gaby Soares e Paloma Maciel" [Cruzeiro renew with Rebeca, Gaby Soares and Paloma Maciel] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário Celeste. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  6. "Cruzeiro anuncia renovação de contrato com zagueira até 2027" [Cruzeiro announce contract renewal with centre-back until 2027] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Rádio Itatiaia. 29 October 2025. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  7. "Paloma Maciel sobre primeira convocação: "Estar na Seleção Brasileira é muito diferente"" [Paloma Maciel about first call-up: "Being in the Brazil national team is very different"] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Brazilian Football Confederation. 8 April 2026. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  8. "Gurias do Brasil goleiam Coreia do Sul na estreia do Fifa Series" [Brazil women's team thrash South Korea in their FIFA Series debut] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Correio do Povo. 12 April 2026. Retrieved 12 April 2026.