Monsalve returns after 87 days to address Grêmio creativity issue | OneFootball

After 87 days out injured, Miguel Monsalve returned for Grêmio with a brief to lift their link play, and his display against Juventude has put him in the frame to start against Botafogo on Wednesday at 21:30 at the Arena in the Brasileirão.

The club said in a statement on seven January that he had an exacerbation of a right ankle ligament injury from late 2025, causing joint instability, and forecast surgery with three months on the sidelines. He chose conservative treatment without surgery and was back training within 15 days.

The Colombian made his season bow in Saturday’s draw, coming on and scoring a superb long-range goal. He registered 12 passes, missing one, had two shots from outside the box, suffered three fouls and committed one.

Luís Castro has also tried Cristaldo and Willian in the role, but neither met his expectations. The Argentine was not even on the bench against Fluminense and Juventude after disappointing in the Gre-Nal.

Willian started against Juventude as the Portuguese selected reserves, but was withdrawn at half-time because the plan was to assess Monsalve after the break. For Botafogo, there is a possibility the Colombian gains more minutes. The initial plan this year was to give the youngster minutes, but the ankle intervened.

Before Juventude, his previous appearance was the 1-0 home loss to Cruzeiro on five November, when he came on late. Injuries marred 2025, including a right shoulder dislocation in July that kept him out for a little over two months. He played only 29 times in 2025, with three goals and four assists.

Source: Globo.com