Corinthians start pre-season with 25 players, update on fringe players

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Central do Timão

·3 January 2026

Corinthians start pre-season with 25 players, update on fringe players

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

Early Saturday afternoon (3), the Corinthians squad reported back to the Dr. Joaquim Grava Training Center, aiming for the start of the 2026 season. This year, the Alvinegro will compete in five tournaments: Supercopa do Brasil, Paulistão, Campeonato Brasileiro, Libertadores, and Copa do Brasil.

In total, 25 players returned to training. The first day of training saw the absence of midfielder José Martínez, who is in Venezuela dealing with bureaucratic issues regarding his passport issuance, and forward Yuri Alberto – in Italy since last Friday (2), seeking to resolve his Italian passport situation. The number 9 is expected to return to Brazil only next week.

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

Forward Pedro Raul, signed in 2024 and loaned to Ceará last season – where he scored 17 goals in 45 games – is returning to Corinthians and was present at the team’s return. His future at the club will be evaluated by coach Dorival Júnior. For Corinthians, he has only four goals and two assists in 39 matches.

Right-back Fagner, on the other hand, was absent, as he is negotiating his contract termination with Corinthians. Currently, his contract ends in December 2026. In 2025, he spent the season on loan at Cruzeiro, which has already reached an agreement with the player for his continued stay and is awaiting the contract termination with the Alvinegro.

Left-back Fabrizio Angileri and midfielder Maycon were also absent at the return. Both had their contracts expire on December 31 and are negotiating renewals with Corinthians. The first is currently a free agent. The second was on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine, to the Alvinegro, which is negotiating a permanent transfer for the player with a two-year contract, keeping 50% of his economic rights.

Finally, defender Renato, midfielder Alex Santana, and forward Héctor Hernández, all initially out of the coaching staff’s plans, will report to the Dr. Joaquim Grava Training Center next Monday (5) to train separately from the squad. With little room in the team, the trio is expected to be transferred by the Alvinegro.

The first, born in 2004, was developed in the Corinthians youth academy – champion of the 2024 Copinha – and was loaned to Atlético-GO but did not play any matches there and was only listed once. The team from Goiás chose to return the player early – his loan was set to end in March 2026.

Alex Santana, in turn, was signed by Corinthians from Athletico-PR in the mid-2024 transfer window for R$12 million. Wearing number 80, he was part of the squad that won the 2025 state championship against Palmeiras and played an important role in the team’s rise in the 2024 Brasileirão – from the relegation zone to the preliminary stage of the Libertadores.

However, after the arrival of Dorival Júnior at the end of April 2025, he lost his place in the squad. Thus, he was loaned to Grêmio in the middle of last season, where he played only 10 matches, without scoring or assisting. With the Corinthians shirt, he has two goals in 37 matches (17 as a starter).

Forward Héctor Hernández, finally, has not played for Corinthians since June 2025 and was removed from first-team activities in August. His contract ends in December this year. The Spaniard was signed in the mid-2024 transfer window and, since then, has scored only two goals in 24 matches for the Parque São Jorge club (10 as a starter). At the time, he was signed as a market opportunity but did not live up to expectations under Ramón Díaz and Dorival Júnior.

Check below the Corinthians players who reported back this Saturday:

Goalkeepers – Felipe Longo, Hugo Souza, Kauê, and Matheus DonelliFull-backs – Hugo Farias, Matheus Bidu, and MatheuzinhoDefenders – André Ramalho, Cacá, Félix Torres, Gustavo Henrique, and João PedroMidfielders – André, André Carrillo, Breno Bidon, Charles, Dieguinho, Raniele, Rodrigo Garro, and RyanForwards – Gui Negão, Kayke, Pedro Raul, Memphis Depay, and Vitinho

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