Yuri Alberto starts fitness work, nears Corinthians return | OneFootball

Striker Yuri Alberto took another step in his recovery process at Corinthians. This Wednesday (26), the player began the physical transition period and already took part in some activities with the rest of the squad. The information was first reported by journalist Bianca Molina and confirmed by the Central do Timão newsroom.

Now in the fourth week of recovery from a muscle injury in his thigh, the No. 9 has been progressing within the timeframe initially estimated for his return to action and could be available for this Sunday’s match against Santos.

Rodrigo Coca/Agência

Yuri Alberto has not played since July 30 after suffering a grade 2 injury to the hamstring of his right thigh. On that day, the No. 9 played 33 minutes in the goalless draw against Athletico-PR in Itaquera, in the 21st round of the national tournament. He had come on for Dieguinho at halftime and was substituted shortly afterward by Rodrigo Garro.

At the moment, it is worth noting, Corinthians has the following players in its medical department besides Yuri Alberto: center-back André Ramalho (recovering from labyrinthitis), defensive midfielder André Luiz (grade 2 injury to the hamstring of his right thigh), midfielders Vitinho (recovering from surgery on the meniscus of his left knee) and Zakaria Labyad (post-surgery recovery after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee), as well as forward Kayke Ferrari (recovering from surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee).

In the current season, Yuri Alberto has dealt with a physical issue similar to the current one. Between February 15 and March 19, he was sidelined after suffering the same injury in a match against São Bernardo FC, away from home, in the Paulista Championship – Timão won 1-0. The striker returned to the pitch a little over a month later in the goalless draw against Chapecoense, away from home, in the seventh round of the Brasileirão.

Good numbers against Santos FC

Developed in Santos’ youth system, where he even played alongside Rodrygo, now at Real Madrid in Spain, Yuri Alberto has already scored seven goals for Corinthians against the Alvinegro Praiano. Looking at his overall career, he has eight goals against them – one of them while still at Internacional (2020-2021).

In Peixe’s first team, he had few opportunities, scoring one goal and providing one assist according to the website Ogol.

Conmebol Libertadores showdown

The striker’s return is crucial for Corinthians. In the weeks of September 8 and 15, the club from Parque São Jorge will face Argentina’s Estudiantes in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores. Having posted the better record in the initial stage, Timão will play the second leg in Itaquera, while the first leg will be played on Argentine soil.

In the group stage, Alvinegro topped Group E with 11 points – three wins, two draws, and one loss – with eight goals scored and four conceded. The Argentines advanced to the knockout stage in second place in Group A with nine points.

Career at Corinthians

Yuri Alberto arrived at Corinthians in mid-2022, initially on loan from Zenit of Russia. At the start of 2023, he was signed permanently in a deal involving five players – Ivan, Robert Renan, Du Queiroz, Gustavo Mantuan, and Pedrinho. Since then, he has recorded 82 goals and 23 assists in 240 matches (205 as a starter), with 106 wins, 64 draws, and 70 losses – a 53.1% success rate.

He is the top scorer in the history of Neo Química Arena, inaugurated in 2014, with 51 goals. In addition, Yuri Alberto is also the team’s leading scorer in the 21st century. In 2024, he had the most prolific season of his career, scoring 31 goals – 15 of them in the Brasileirão, where he was the competition’s top scorer and key to the team’s surge (from the relegation zone to the Libertadores qualifying stage).

Last year, he played a decisive role in the club’s Campeonato Paulista (2025) and Copa do Brasil (2025) titles over Palmeiras and Flamengo respectively, scoring goals in both finals. At the start of 2026, he also got on the scoresheet against Flamengo in the Supercopa do Brasil. This year, he is the team’s top scorer with eight goals – three in the Brasileirão – in 33 matches. His contract with Timão runs through July 2030.

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