Vasco’s Brenner a doubt for Mirassol debut, out since November | OneFootball

Vasco is very close to officially signing Brenner as a new reinforcement for the 2026 season. The 26-year-old striker has already arrived in Brazil, undergone medical exams, and is expected to be officially announced by the club next Monday. However, despite the anticipation surrounding the player requested by Fernando Diniz, the center forward arrives at São Januário as a question mark for the debut in the Brazilian Championship, against Mirassol.

This is because Brenner hasn't played since November of last year and, at this moment, is still working to regain his physical and match fitness. The situation raises doubts about his condition to play right in the first round of the competition.

How long has it been since Brenner last played and why is he inactive?

Brenner's last official match was on November 23, 2025, for FC Cincinnati in the MLS. Since then, the striker has not played in competitive games. After the end of the season in the United States, the player returned to Udinese, the club that owns his rights, but he was not utilized and spent the period out of competition.

Even with good numbers in his last stint at Cincinnati — six goals and one assist in just ten games — Brenner did not maintain a run of games. This gap of almost two months without playing weighs on Vasco's planning, especially since it is the start of the Brasileirão without a traditional pre-season.

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When will Brenner be announced by Vasco?

Vasco plans to officially announce Brenner at the beginning of next week, with the expectation that the confirmation will happen on Monday. The striker has already arrived in Rio de Janeiro, undergone medical exams, and has everything in place for signing the contract, which will be valid until the end of 2029.

The board was only waiting for the completion of bureaucratic procedures and the preparation of promotional material to make the reinforcement official. The investment agreed with Udinese is 5 million euros (about R$ 31 million), to be paid in installments over approximately three years, with performance bonuses that could increase the total value of the deal.

Upon arriving in Brazil, Brenner commented on the importance of Fernando Diniz's call in sealing the deal:

Will Brenner be ready to debut against Mirassol?

Internally, Vasco is treating the possibility of Brenner debuting against Mirassol with caution. The striker has been without match fitness for about two months and will still undergo a process of physical reconditioning before being cleared to play.

The tendency is for the coaching staff to evaluate the player throughout the week to decide if he will have the minimum conditions to participate in the debut, even if starting on the bench. Otherwise, Brenner may be prepared to gradually enter in the following rounds.

The scenario is similar for other reinforcements arriving without recent playing time, especially with a tight schedule and no ideal preparation time.

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Brenner, Vasco's new signing, lands in Rio — Photo: Thales Lara/ge

Vasco's debut in the Brasileirão and expectations for the new signing

Vasco will debut in the 2026 Brazilian Championship against Mirassol, at a time of renewal and adjustments in the squad. Brenner's arrival fulfills a direct request from Fernando Diniz, who was looking for a striker with more mobility, intensity, and the ability to participate in the offensive build-up.

With a history of good performances under the coach at São Paulo and Fluminense, Brenner arrives with the expectation of being an important piece in the offensive system, especially after the sale of Rayan to Bournemouth.

Meanwhile, Vasco fans are waiting to find out when they will be able to see the new number 9 on the field. The debut could even happen in the first round, but for now, Brenner remains a doubt and a question mark in Vasco's initial planning for the Brasileirão.

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