Breaking: Arboleda apologises, applauded, back at São Paulo | OneFootball

Arboleda is back at São Paulo.

After being sidelined and training separately from the squad since May, following nearly a month missing after walking out on the club, the 34-year-old Ecuadorian center back was reintegrated into the squad this Tuesday (23).

He will be authorized to resume training with the group in the coming days and will once again be an option for coach Dorival Júnior for the remainder of the season.

The decision was finalized this morning. According to what AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR has learned, Arboleda met with the squad and the staff at the training center, apologized for his act of indiscipline, and was met with applause. Yes, the center back was applauded and celebrated by his teammates, even after leaving them in the lurch.

That was the cue Rafinha, who is temporarily acting as the top figure in São Paulo’s football department, needed to seal the player’s forgiveness and convince president Harry Massis to grant it—something dismissed executive Rui Costa had refused and Dorival had supported, desperate because of the lack of options in the team’s defense.

Quite a turnaround for someone who was on the verge of having his contract terminated for just cause.

Arboleda had been carrying out activities at alternative times and apart from the squad since early May, after a nearly month-long period of unjustified absence. The suspension came after the player failed to report for the match against Cruzeiro on April 4 and traveled to Ecuador without the board’s approval.

Change in stance and lack of options in the position

São Paulo’s top brass initially ruled out the player’s return. During Dorival Júnior’s introductory press conference, then football executive Rui Costa publicly stated that the defender would not be reinstated. However, the executive’s dismissal, made official last weekend, changed the behind-the-scenes picture and paved the way for the center back’s return.

Since taking charge of the team, Dorival Júnior had not opposed the Ecuadorian’s reinstatement. Faced with absences and physical issues in defense, the coach had already been internally considering the possibility of using the player.

Loss of space and market interest

Before the act of indiscipline, Arboleda had lost his place in the starting lineup under former coach Roger Machado. The center back’s last appearance among the starting 11 came on March 1, against Palmeiras, in the Campeonato Paulista. His last official match was on March 21, also against the green-and-white rivals, in the Brazilian Championship, when he came on during the game.

During the period in which he was sidelined, the defender attracted interest from other clubs on the national scene. São Paulo even received an official loan offer from Vitória, but turned down the financial terms on the table. Rivals Santos also expressed interest and made inquiries about the player, but talks did not progress into a definitive deal.

Clubs such as Athletico-PR, Atlético-MG, Vasco and LDU showed interest, but only if the player was actually released by São Paulo. With that information in hand, the Morumbi club blocked his departure, the natural course amid the act of indiscipline.

It is important to point out that Arboleda’s return does not mean the end of the search for players in the position. The club understands it needs at least one more option for the area, weakened by the sudden departure of Dória, who requested the termination of his contract after receiving threats from fans on social media.

THE DAY AT THE TRAINING CENTER

With activities in two sessions this Tuesday (23) at the Barra Funda training center, Tricolor continued making adjustments in this mid-season break during the pause for the 2026 World Cup.

In the morning, the squad began the day with mobility and acceleration exercises guided by the fitness staff. Then, divided into three teams, the players carried out a possession drill focused on quick circulation, switches of play, and pressing.

After that, coach Dorival Júnior and his staff put together two teams for a matchup using a larger area of the field.

In the afternoon, the group worked with the fitness coaches in the gym before heading to the pitch, where they held two sessions: a three-versus-three matchup and another activity between two teams.

This Wednesday (24), São Paulo will continue its preparation schedule for the resumption of the Brazilian Championship and the Copa Sudamericana.

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