Donelli's UAE loan ends without a single game in goal | OneFootball

Matheus Donelli’s loan spell at Shabab Al Ahli, of the United Arab Emirates, is nearing its end and should result in the goalkeeper returning to Corinthians for the remainder of the season. The temporary deal between the parties expires at the end of June, after just over four months without the shot-stopper taking the field for the Middle Eastern side.

Announced by Corinthians at the beginning of February, the move was intended to provide the player with more minutes, as he had lost space in the squad. However, Donelli was not used in official matches during his time in Emirati football.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

Throughout the period in which he was tied to Shabab Al Ahli, the goalkeeper also did not appear among the players called up for the team’s matches. His few public appearances came in images released by the club itself during trips and squad activities.

The local season ended in May. Shabab Al Ahli finished the national league in second place, behind Al-Ain, but secured a spot in the next edition of the AFC Champions League. Even with the schedule completed, Donelli did not log any minutes on the pitch.

According to information reported by Meu Timão, Corinthians did not receive any notifications about problems involving the player during the loan spell. The transfer process included all the necessary documentation for him to play in the country, including obtaining a work visa and completing medical exams.

The period also coincided with situations that impacted football in the region. In addition to Ramadan, which changes daily routines in several sectors of the United Arab Emirates, the Middle East experienced moments of geopolitical instability in recent months, which led to changes in sports competitions and the postponement of matches in different countries across the region.

A product of Corinthians’ youth academy, Donelli had been out of favor in the first team since last season. Before the transfer, he was behind Hugo Souza, Kauê, and Felipe Longo in the goalkeeping pecking order.

His last appearance on a matchday squad list came back in 2025. Since then, the club had been seeking alternatives so the player could gain experience with another team.

With the loan coming to an end, the expectation is that Matheus Donelli will return to CT Dr. Joaquim Grava to determine his future with Corinthians. The goalkeeper’s contract with the Parque São Jorge club remains valid until December 2028.

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