Yuri Alberto returns early for Corinthians, club doctor explains | OneFootball

The forward Yuri Alberto has exceeded expectations and is set to return to defend Corinthians much earlier than anticipated. The player was recovering from inguinal hernia surgery but has already returned to training with his teammates and is expected to be available for the match against Athletico-PR next Wednesday, in the Copa do Brasil.

The number 9 underwent surgery in the early hours of August 13th. Exactly 21 days later, the athlete is already working normally at the Dr. Joaquim Grava training center. The initial forecast for his return to the field was six to eight weeks.

Gustavo Henrique and Hugo also underwent the same surgery this season. For comparison, the defender took 57 days to return to the field, while the left-back took 43 days.

Yuri Alberto is already training normally with his Corinthians teammates (Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians)

Doctor explains quick recovery

Gazeta Esportiva interviewed Dr. Flávia Magalhães, a sports doctor with 20 years of experience and stints at Atlético-MG, América-MG, CBF, and Conmebol. She explained the factors that may have led Yuri Alberto to recover from surgery so quickly.

“There are some factors that can accelerate this recovery process. The first is the type of surgical procedure adopted: less invasive techniques, such as videolaparoscopy, tend to cause less pain and allow an earlier return to activities. Moreover, the athlete's physical profile matters a lot: young, with a good health history, no comorbidities, and excellent muscle preparation, they tend to respond better to treatment,” said the doctor.

“The support structure of an elite club also makes a difference, as the multidisciplinary follow-up, daily physiotherapy, physiology, nutrition, and load control create a very favorable environment for a quick and safe recovery,” she added.

Wolverine?

This is not the first time Yuri Alberto has surprised with such speed in treating injuries. These feats have earned him the nickname Wolverine from the fans, a fictional comic book character.

Dr. Flávia indicated possible reasons that help the forward recover from physical problems so quickly.

“We are probably talking about a combination of genetics and habits. Some athletes have a greater regenerative capacity, which speeds up healing and adaptation of the body. Added to this is the fact that he already has a very disciplined routine, with good adherence to physiotherapy protocols, balanced diet, and sleep control. This combination can allow him to anticipate stages that, in other cases, would take more time. But it's important to highlight: each body reacts differently, and his case should not be taken as the rule,” she explained.

Possible risks

An early return to the field, however, could expose Yuri Alberto to risks, as Dr. Flávia warned.

“Such an early return, although possible in specific situations, requires a lot of caution. If there is an overload before the complete healing of the tissues, there may be a risk of hernia recurrence, chronic pain in the area, or even musculoskeletal compensations that cause other injuries. The key is that this return is based on functional evaluations and not just the calendar time. If clinical and physiological tests show that the athlete is fit, the risks are lower, but never nonexistent,” she concluded.

Yuri Alberto's numbers

A key player for Corinthians, Yuri Alberto is the top scorer of the team this season. Despite having struggled with some physical issues, he has scored 13 goals and provided one assist in 40 matches for Timão in 2025, with 29 as a starter.

Next Corinthians match

Match situation

With a 1-0 victory in the first leg in Curitiba, Timão only needs a draw to advance to the Copa do Brasil semifinals. In case of a loss by one goal, the match will go to penalties. A defeat by two or more goals eliminates the São Paulo team.

The winner of the match will face the winner of the clash between Cruzeiro and Atlético-MG in the next phase. Raposa won the first leg and will decide the classic at home, at Mineirão.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.