Corinthians to give Memphis 2026 bow ahead of Flamengo Supercopa test | OneFootball

After five matches out, Memphis is in line for minutes against Bahia as Corinthians seek to prime him for Flamengo in the Supercopa Rei.

According to Globo.com, he is due to feature on Wednesday at 20:00 Brasília time at Vila Belmiro, in the Campeonato Brasileiro opener.

The Supercopa Rei decider is on Sunday at 16:00 at Estádio Mané Garrincha in Brasília, the club’s first major test, with prize money not yet disclosed by the CBF. Coach Dorival Júnior wants his key players fit.

Dorival has confirmed Memphis will face Bahia after treating bone oedema in his left knee suffered in 2025 and completing muscular rebalancing. He finished last season playing through pain in decisive Copa do Brasil games.

He wants to be ready for the World Cup with the Netherlands, and this season could prove decisive for his future at Corinthians. His deal runs until 20 June 2026, and he can already sign a pre-contract elsewhere to leave for free.

A renewal is not yet under negotiation, with finances the main hurdle. His salary is considered high, plus signing-on fees and bonuses agreed under former president Augusto Melo.

The new board led by Osmar Stabile, and influential councillors, view the costs as excessive. The 2026 budget targets a monthly wage-bill cut of R$ 6.2 million, and his pay weighs heavily.

Unable to meet bonuses and fees on time, Corinthians agreed to pay around R$ 23 million owed to Memphis in instalments. Since arriving in September 2024, he has played 65 games, scoring 19 and assisting 14, and helped win last year’s Paulista and Copa do Brasil.

Source: Globo.com