Duo back in action for Corinthians after just over a month

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Central do Timão

·22 September 2025

Duo back in action for Corinthians after just over a month

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the afternoon of this Sunday, September 21, Corinthians visited Sport at Ilha do Retiro, in a match for the 24th round of the Brazilian Championship and was defeated 1-0. As a result, the Alvinegro dropped to tenth place with 29 points (seven wins, eight draws, and nine losses – 24 goals scored and 29 conceded).

Despite the defeat, the match marked the return of two players to the field wearing the Corinthians jersey. The first is midfielder José Martínez. The Venezuelan had not played for Corinthians since August 16, when the Alvinegro was defeated by Bahia with a score of 2-1 at the Neo Química Arena, in the 20th round of the Brazilian Championship.

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

Later, the number 70 suffered a hand injury during one of the team's training sessions at CT Dr. Joaquim Grava and underwent surgery. During this period, he was called up by the Venezuelan National Team for the last two matches of the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and suffered an ankle injury.

Martínez missed the following matches for the Alvinegro: Vasco (Brasileirão), Athletico-PR (twice – Copa do Brasil), Palmeiras (Brasileirão), and Fluminense (Brasileirão). In the match against Sport, he was on the field for 64 minutes, accumulating the following numbers according to Sofascore: 25 actions with the ball, 14/15 accurate passes, 2/2 accurate long passes, 2/3 successful dribbles, 5/8 ground duels won, 1/2 aerial duels won, one interception, and one tackle. His rating on the app was 7.0.

Since joining Corinthians in the middle of last year, being important in the team's rise in the last Brasileirão, José Martínez has accumulated 57 games with the Corinthians jersey (42 as a starter), with 31 wins, 10 draws, and 16 losses – a 60.2% success rate.

In total, he has scored one goal and provided two assists. His contract expires in December 2027. Martínez was part of the state champion squad of 2025, against Palmeiras, in a decision at the Neo Química Arena.

Dieguinho

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

Another player who returned to receive minutes with the Corinthians jersey was midfielder Dieguinho, promoted to the Corinthians professional squad between June and July 2025. His last match was on August 16, when the Alvinegro was defeated by Bahia with a score of 2-1 in Itaquera, in the 20th round of the first half of the Brasileirão.

The number 61 did not leave the bench in the matches against Vasco (Brasileirão), Athletico-PR (Copa do Brasil), and Fluminense (Brasileirão). Dieguinho missed the first-leg matches of the Copa do Brasil round of 16 against Athletico-PR and Palmeiras in the Brasileirão at home.

In the match against Sport, he was brought on at the 32nd minute of the second half, replacing midfielder Maycon. According to Sofascore, a sports statistics app, he accumulated: 4/6 accurate passes, two blocked shots, and one shot on goal. Since being promoted to the professional team, he has played six games, still without contributing to any goals. His contract expires in October 2027.

Counting the Under-17 and 20, Dieguinho has 11 goals in 102 games with the Corinthians jersey. In total, there are 52 wins, 24 draws, and 26 losses.

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