Setback in Memphis recovery delays return, causes unrest at Corinthians | OneFootball

Memphis Depay’s return to the pitch is expected to take longer than initially anticipated. That’s because, in recent days, the forward suffered a setback in the treatment of his grade 2 injury to the front of his right thigh, after a problem that occurred during a physical training session at CT Joaquim Grava. The information was first reported by ge.globo and confirmed by Central do Timão.

The player felt discomfort in the same area again precisely in the final stage of recovery, which pushed the timeline back by at least two weeks. The reason was reportedly an exercise considered inappropriate for the stage the athlete was in.

Photo: Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images

The original injury happened on March 22, during the match against Flamengo at Neo Química Arena. The very next day, the Dutchman traveled to Europe due to the FIFA international break and continued treatment with his national team’s medical department, together with professionals he trusts.

During the time he was out of Brazil, Memphis underwent a recovery method different from the one used at CT Joaquim Grava. The response was positive, speeding up his physical progress. When he returned to the country, in the early hours of April 4, the forward was already close to being available again. The expectation was that he could play a few minutes in the derby against Palmeiras and then start against Independiente Santa Fé in the Libertadores.

In the following days, Memphis even took part in ball work, indicating progress in his recovery. However, shortly before being cleared to return to playing, he was instructed by the fitness staff to do a strength session in the gym. During the exercise, he felt pain in his thigh again, worsening the situation.

Internally, the club was working with a timeline of approximately four weeks for his full return, projecting a comeback for the match against Barra in the Copa do Brasil on April 21. However, the report found that the club is considering a return between the final stretch of April and the beginning of May, if recovery goes very well. Timão will evaluate the player day by day to determine the final date.

The episode caused discomfort between the player and the coaching staff. Last Saturday, the number 10 used social media to speak out and said he missed the Derby because of “some mistakes.” In fact, according to information from Uol, confirmed by Central do Timão, Memphis will seek a private fitness coach after the incident.

In the forward’s view, the situation worsened after a mistake made during a recovery activity at Corinthians, which caused major dissatisfaction and shook his confidence in the club’s performance department. In addition to the impact on the team’s collective performance, the situation also affects the player’s individual preparation for the World Cup.

Besides seeking a fitness coach, Memphis also requested the presence of physiotherapist Fermin Varela in Brazil. The Spanish professional was at CT Joaquim Grava last Monday (13), when he met with members of Corinthians’ fitness and medical departments to align the procedures being adopted in the treatment.

The episode also caused friction behind the scenes. In light of this, the player began advocating for changes, while the board is working to ease tensions and preserve dialogue, preventing the issue from developing into a more delicate situation.

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