Brazilian women’s soccer has reached a landmark moment. Palmeiras confirmed the transfer of Amanda Gutierres to Boston Legacy, the new franchise set to debut in the NWSL in 2026, for $1.1 million plus bonuses the highest fee ever paid for a player in the country.
It’s more than just a deal for Palmeiras. It’s a turning point for the women’s game in Brazil, proof that numbers once tied only to men’s transfers are now part of the reality for Brazilian stars.
A striker who defined an era at Palmeiras
Amanda will still wear the green shirt until the end of the season, playing in both the Paulista and the Copa do Brasil semifinals. Her farewell carries weight: Palmeiras is losing its main attacking reference, but the sale shows the club’s place in a market that is finally paying real money for top talent. Until now, the record fee belonged to Priscila’s move from Internacional to América-MEX. Amanda’s transfer more than doubled it.
From local promise to global figure
The move didn’t happen overnight. Amanda has been on a rapid rise over the past two years. She was top scorer of the 2025 Copa América Femenina with six goals, netting one in the final against Colombia and another in the shootout. With the Seleção, she has become a regular starter and now partners Marta up front, no longer as a prospect but as a peer.
At club level, the list of honors is long: Golden Boot in the Brazilian league in 2023 and 2024, Bola de Prata in 2024, and a 2025 Ballon d’Or Féminin nomination, where she finished 21st—the only finalist not playing in Europe or the U.S. It’s no surprise Boston Legacy acted quickly to make her the face of their project.
Boston’s bet on a ready-made star
General manager Domè Guasch made it clear that Amanda isn’t coming to adapt, she’s coming to lead. As the 15th team in the NWSL, Boston wants to arrive with impact, and signing one of the world’s most prolific forwards reflects that ambition. Her deal runs until 2029, cementing her role as the centerpiece of the new club’s identity.
For Brazilian women’s soccer, this transfer carries meaning beyond the pitch. In the past, losing a star abroad was seen as a setback. Today it’s recognition, proof of value. Amanda Gutierres has opened a door that could change the way the world looks at Brazilian talent from this point forward.