Lucas is coming back! São Paulo star stuns, nears post-FIFA return | OneFootball

Attacking midfielder Lucas Moura is close to returning to the pitch for São Paulo after exceeding expectations and ‘astonishing’ in his medical recovery.

Under treatment since March 2026, the No. 7 has shown rapid clinical progress and has a real chance of being available to the coaching staff shortly after the break for the FIFA international window, which runs from late September to the first week of October, according to initial information from ESPN.

Lucas suffered fractures to two ribs on March 18 during São Paulo’s defeat to Atlético-MG in Belo Horizonte. Initially, there were fears that the severity of the injury would prevent the player from featuring again this season — which created uncertainty over his future, since his contract expires in December this year.

However, the player will begin the physical transition stage as early as this Monday (14) at the Barra Funda Training Center. The work with the fitness staff represents the final phase of the medical protocol before he is fully cleared to resume normal activities with the squad.

If there are no setbacks, the expectation is that the player will be fit to play by mid-October, when Tricolor will face Cruzeiro, Vitória, Vasco, Mirassol and Bahia in the Brazilian Championship.

Reassessments for the Copa Sudamericana

While monitoring Lucas Moura’s progress, coach Dorival Júnior is turning his attention to the immediate recovery of two squad members ahead of the second leg against Boca Juniors, scheduled for this Tuesday (15) at Morumbi Stadium, in the quarterfinals of the Copa Sudamericana.

Rested for the derby against Palmeiras after reporting muscle pain in the first leg in Buenos Aires, forward Luciano is following an intensive schedule in the medical department, and the coaching staff is optimistic about him being in the starting lineup.

Meanwhile, left-back Iago Borduchi, who suffered trauma to his left ankle during the Choque-Rei, will undergo another medical assessment before matchday to confirm whether he can start.

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