According to reports by Diario de Pernambuco, Brazilian forward Kerolin has established herself as a cornerstone of the Brazilian National Team and a player for Spanish powerhouse Barcelona. Over a ten-year career that includes stints with clubs like Corinthians, Palmeiras, and Manchester City, the athlete has faced profound personal and professional hurdles to reach the pinnacle of women’s soccer.
Overcoming Early Adversity
Long before achieving international stardom, Kerolin’s career was nearly cut short at the age of 12. While attending a football school, she was hospitalized and placed under medical observation for three months due to osteomite and cellulitis in her leg. The severe infection nearly resulted in an amputation, and doctors initially advised her against playing contact sports. Combined with the challenge of commuting from a distant farm to training grounds, the obstacles were immense. However, Kerolin persevered, returning to the sport that would define her life.
Early Breakthrough and Career Milestones
At 16, Kerolin joined the youth categories of Valinhos Futebol Clube, later integrated into Ponte Preta. Her impact was immediate, scoring 10 goals in 21 games to help the club reach the 2017 Campeonato Paulista semifinals. Following an impressive loan spell with Corinthians/Audax—where she helped secure the club’s first Copa Libertadores title by converting a penalty in the final—she returned to Ponte Preta. Scoring 14 goals in 35 matches, she was named the tournament’s revelation and earned her first call-up to the Brazilian National Team in 2018 for a friendly against England.
Overcoming Suspension and European Success
In 2019, Kerolin signed with Palmeiras but did not play an official match due to a two-year suspension resulting from a positive anti-doping test from the previous year’s Libertadores. The ban kept her off the preliminary list for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Upon serving her suspension, she returned directly to the national team for friendlies against Argentina in September 2021 before embarking on her European career.
After playing for Spain’s Madrid CFF and the United States’ North Carolina Courage, Kerolin transferred to English giant Manchester City in 2023. Across two seasons with City, she recorded 14 goals and six assists in 37 appearances, numbers that ultimately caught the attention of Barcelona. Though she also represented Brazil at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, she now stands as a primary offensive threat for the Seleção and a proud representative of Barcelona.