Corinthians defender on international break, eyes rest of season | OneFootball

After two days off, Corinthians returned to training throughout this Wednesday (25), with an eye on the rest of the season, which will feature matches in the Brazilian Championship, Conmebol Libertadores, and Copa do Brasil throughout April. The club from Parque São Jorge will return to the pitch next Wednesday, April 1, at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), against Fluminense at Maracanã Stadium, in the ninth round of the national tournament.

The Corinthians squad began the day’s training with a strength session in the gym and a warm-up on the field. Afterwards, the group carried out a possession drill, as well as attacking build-up work and a small-sided scrimmage on one of the fields at CT Dr. Joaquim Grava.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

In an interview with Corinthians TV, center-back André Ramalho commented on the break for the first FIFA international window of 2026 and also looked ahead to the rest of the season. The defender also stressed the importance of the players being in the best physical condition possible so they can contribute to the squad: “The FIFA break comes at a good time. We know that after this pause there won’t be any real time to rest. It comes at a good moment so we can adjust and improve things that need to be improved for the rest of the season. In addition to the Copa do Brasil and CONMEBOL Libertadores matches, there’s also the Brazilian Championship, which is always difficult. We’re going to prepare in the best way possible to play these upcoming matches with both our bodies and minds more rested so we can achieve good results.”

“Everyone wants to play, everyone works for that. In moments like this, coach Dorival will need everyone. We’re happy. We’ll prepare ourselves to deliver when we get opportunities. There will be so many matches that our focus will be on recovering and playing. Everyone will need to be in good shape for us to perform in all competitions,” he said.

André Ramalho was signed by Corinthians in the middle of 2024, after not renewing his contract with PSV of the Netherlands. The defender quickly became a starter and was one of the team’s pillars during its surge in that year’s Brasileirão, forming a center-back partnership with Gustavo Henrique in the second half of the season.

In 2025, however, he lost a bit of space and began alternating between the bench and the starting lineup, regaining his place among the starting 11 after the arrival of coach Dorival Júnior in the final stretch of April last year. He is currently a backup in the position, as Gabriel Paulista starts alongside Gustavo Henrique. For Alvinegro, the No. 5 has totaled 84 appearances (74 as a starter), with two goals and one assist, and was part of the title-winning squads for the Paulista Championship (2025), Copa do Brasil (2025), and Supercopa do Brasil (2026).

Alvinegro will return to training on Thursday morning (26) to continue preparations for the return of matches. It is worth remembering that Corinthians have not won in seven games, with five draws (Portuguesa, Cruzeiro, Santos, Chapecoense, and Flamengo) and two defeats (Novorizontino and Coritiba). The last victory came on February 19, a 1-0 win over Athletico-PR at Arena da Baixada, in the second round of the Brazilian Championship.

Corinthians provides an update on the medical status of the injured trio:

1) Hugo Farias – undergoing treatment following surgery to correct a meniscus injury

2) Kaio César – still recovering from perifibrotic inflammation in the posterior muscle of the right thigh

3) Memphis Depay – undergoing treatment in the Netherlands for an injury to the anterior muscle of the right thigh

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