Corinthians goalkeeper suffers another injury setback since return | OneFootball

Last Saturday (27), Corinthians released a statement updating goalkeeper Lelê’s medical condition. She was diagnosed with tendinopathy in the back of her right thigh and, as a result, has not been taking part in the team’s training sessions during the mid-season break. The goalkeeper has picked up yet another physical issue since returning to Parque São Jorge in 2022.

Lelê joined Corinthians in 2016, when the club had a partnership with Osasco Audax in the women’s game. In her first spell wearing the Corinthians shirt, she played a decisive role in winning the 2016 Copa do Brasil, the Libertadores (2017 and 2019), the Brazilian Championship (2018 and 2020), and the Paulista Championships (2019 and 2020). Soon after, she transferred to Benfica in Portugal, where she played in the 2020/2021 season.

Photo: Rodrigo Gazzanel/Corinthians Agency

In 2022, the goalkeeper returned to Corinthians and, since then, has dealt with a number of injury problems. In her very first year back, she suffered trauma to a finger on her hand, which caused her to miss the Copa Paulista final against Red Bull Bragantino. Around that same time, she also suffered a strain to the collateral ligament in her knee and, as a result, missed the Women’s Copa América with the Brazilian National Team.

Even so, she still managed to finish that season with 25 matches played and the titles of the Copa Paulista and the Brazilian Championship, and was named the best goalkeeper in the national competition at the Prêmio Bola de Prata, from ESPN Brasil. In 2023, the goalkeeper did not suffer any injuries and featured in 29 of the Brabas’ 45 matches, playing a key role in winning the Supercopa, the Paulista Championship, the Conmebol Libertadores, and the Brazilian Championship.

In 2024, she went through one of the biggest ordeals of her career. In February of that year, she tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee and missed almost the entire season with the Brabas, playing only seven matches. She also missed Brazil’s runner-up campaign at the Olympic Games in Paris, France.

In 2025, she returned to action gradually. In March, she played three matches, but had to step away from the pitch again due to knee pain. As a result, she only returned to full training in August. Last season, she took the field 18 times, alternating between the starting lineup and the bench, while also being part of the squad that won the Women’s Libertadores in the final against Deportivo Cali of Colombia.

In the current season, Lelê began as the starting goalkeeper for the team then coached by Lucas Piccinato. However, in the Supercopa do Brasil final against Palmeiras in March, she suffered a concussion and, following IFAB (International Football Association Board) protocol, missed the opening matches of the Brazilian Women’s Championship. When she returned, she regained her starting spot, even after the change in the coaching staff with the arrival of Emily Lima. But in the team’s last two matches before the most recent FIFA international break, she was on the bench.

It was with the Brazilian National Team during the latest FIFA international break that she suffered her most recent physical problem. In the 2-1 win over the United States at Neo Química Arena, she was substituted in the 37th minute of the second half after feeling muscular discomfort in her right thigh. She was replaced by Lorena.

With her contract running until December, Lelê’s future at Corinthians is still uncertain. In 183 matches for Timão across her two spells, she has recorded 136 wins, 29 draws, and 18 losses — a 79.60% success rate — as well as 15 titles: Copa do Brasil (2016), Copa Paulista (2022), Women’s Conmebol Libertadores (2017, 2019, 2024, and 2025), Brazilian Championship (2018, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025), and Paulista Championship (2019, 2020, and 2023).

As a reminder, the Brabas will only return to the pitch on July 17 at Alfredo Schürig Stadium, Fazendinha, to face Ferroviária in the fourth round of the Paulista Women’s Championship qualifying stage. At the moment, Alvinegro has four points from three matches and sits second in the state competition.

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