Yuri Alberto Near Return to Corinthians

The forward Yuri Alberto participated without restrictions in the training session with the Corinthians squad at CT Joaquim Grava on Wednesday, a significant step in his recovery. Released by the medical department after an examination, the number 9 is approaching a return to the pitch. The expectation is that the player will be listed for the derby against Santos, scheduled for Sunday at Neo Química Arena, for the 25th round of the Brasileirão.

Return to Training

Yuri Alberto, who had started the physical transition last week, received clearance from Corinthians’ medical department. The player, recovered from a posterior thigh injury on his right leg, trained normally with the rest of the squad. The coaching staff and medical team plan to monitor the striker’s situation until the next match, which could mark his official return.

The Injury and Time Out

The Grade 2 muscle injury on the right thigh that sidelined Yuri Alberto for about a month occurred on July 30, during the draw between Corinthians and Athletico-PR in the Brasileirão. At the time, the forward entered at halftime and felt a sharp pain in his right thigh 30 minutes into the second half, leaving the field in tears. The cautious recovery prevented his participation in key games, such as the clashes against Internacional in the Copa do Brasil and Rosario Central in the CONMEBOL Libertadores. Since then, Yuri Alberto missed five Corinthians fixtures, including three Brasileirão matches against Red Bull Bragantino, Cruzeiro, and Coritiba.

Gradual Return Plan

Even with a potential return against Santos, Corinthians plans a gradual comeback for Yuri Alberto. The idea is to use the upcoming games to allow the striker to gain rhythm before the quarter‑finals of the CONMEBOL Libertadores. The expectation is to increase his minutes in the next match against Chapecoense, aiming for him to be in peak condition for the clashes against Estudiantes, Argentina. The dates for the continental quarter‑finals are set for the weeks of September 8 and 15.

Injury History

The striker also has a history of injury absences throughout his career at Corinthians. Early this year, in February, Yuri Alberto missed 34 days of play due to a left thigh biceps femoris injury. In July, he was out for over two months after breaking a lumbar vertebra in a collision during a match against Atlético‑MG. In August, the player underwent inguinal hernia surgery, keeping him out for a month, returning only in September. In December, he was diagnosed with pubic edema and overload of the left adductor after a game against Botafogo. Two weeks later, he returned in the Copa do Brasil semifinal against Cruzeiro, felt the adductor area again, but managed to play in the final stages of the competition, won by Corinthians.

Corinthians’ Upcoming Challenges

Corinthians, who returned this Wednesday after two days off, continues its season journey. The team is qualified for the quarter‑finals of the CONMEBOL Libertadores and currently sits in ninth place in the Brasileirão, with 32 points. Besides Yuri Alberto, goalkeeper Hugo Souza, who had been absent in the last match due to a knee strain, also trained without restrictions on the field, strengthening Fernando Diniz’s options for the upcoming challenges.

With information from GE, UOL.