Defender still out for Corinthians, here's why | OneFootball

Late this Sunday afternoon (13), at 5:30 p.m. (Brasília time), Corinthians will face Flamengo at Maracanã Stadium in a match valid for the 27th round of the 2026 Brazilian Championship. The club from Parque São Jorge currently sits only in 12th place with 32 points — eight wins, eight draws, and 10 losses — with 27 goals scored and 27 conceded.

For the match against the Rio-based team, center-back André Ramalho, who recently suffered from labyrinthitis, will remain unavailable for Corinthians. According to Meu Timão, the 34-year-old defender is still being monitored by the club’s medical department and neurologist Rogério Tuma, from Sírio-Libanês Hospital. Treatment for the condition is ongoing, but there is still no return date for the player.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

In addition, according to the report by the outlet, some of the medications used by André Ramalho are tied to authorization from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in order to avoid possible sanctions for violating anti-doping rules. Corinthians is already handling the necessary procedures before fully clearing the player.

The No. 5 has already been training with the rest of his teammates since last week. His last appearance for Corinthians came on August 13, nearly a month ago, in the goalless draw against Rosario Central-ARG away from home, in the first leg of the Conmebol Libertadores round of 16. On that occasion, the No. 5 played in stoppage time of the knockout match in the international competition, coming on in place of midfielder Breno Bidon. Shortly before that, defensive midfielder Allan had been sent off in the 35th minute of the second half.

Since then, after being diagnosed with labyrinthitis, André Ramalho has missed the matches against Cruzeiro (H), Rosario Central (H), Coritiba (A), Santos (H), and Chapecoense (H). Although he is already doing partial work with the Corinthians squad, he will be unavailable, as already mentioned, for this weekend’s match. 

It is worth noting that, for the match, the club from Parque São Jorge is expected to use an alternative lineup due to the second leg of the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores quarterfinals against Estudiantes-ARG next Wednesday (16), at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), at Neo Química Arena. Center-backs Gustavo Henrique and Gabriel Paulista are expected to be rested; while Iago Machado is likely to get his first chance as a Timão professional. Yago Melo, starting center-back for the U-20 side, has been called up.

Signed in mid-2024 after an extensive career in European football (RB Salzburg – Austria, Bayer Leverkusen – Germany, and PSV – the Netherlands), André Ramalho has been one of the leaders of the Corinthians squad since then. Right after arriving at the club, he established himself as a starter and played an important role in the team’s surge in the Brasileirão the year before last (from the relegation zone to the Libertadores preliminary round — seventh place with 56 points), in addition to taking part in the title wins in the Campeonato Paulista (2025), Copa do Brasil (2025), and Supercopa do Brasil (2026), against Palmeiras, Vasco da Gama, and Flamengo, respectively.

With a contract until the end of the year, the center-back has scored two goals and provided one assist in 91 matches wearing the Corinthians shirt (80 as a starter), with 39 wins, 28 draws, and 24 losses — a 53.1% success rate. Since last year, he has been more of a backup than a starter for Timão and has at times faced criticism for his performances on the pitch. This year, he has made 18 appearances and scored one goal.

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