Breaking: Arboleda says sorry, applauded by squad, back at São Paulo | OneFootball

Arboleda is back at São Paulo.

After being suspended and training apart from the squad since May, following nearly a month missing after abandoning the club, the 34-year-old Ecuadorian center-back was reinstated to the squad this Tuesday (23).

He will be cleared to resume training with the group in the coming days and will once again be an option for coach Dorival Júnior for the remainder of the season.

The decision was made this morning. According to what AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR has learned, Arboleda met with the squad and CT staff, apologized for his act of indiscipline, and was met with applause. Yes, the center-back was applauded and celebrated by his teammates, even after letting them down.

That was the opening Rafinha, currently serving as the acting boss of São Paulo’s football department, needed to seal the player’s forgiveness and convince president Harry Massis to grant it—something dismissed Rui Costa had refused and Dorival had supported, desperate because of the lack of options in the team’s defense.

Quite a turnaround for someone who was on the verge of having his contract terminated for just cause.

Arboleda had been training at alternate times and away from the squad since early May, after a nearly month-long unexplained absence. The suspension came after the player failed to report for the match against Cruzeiro on April 4 and traveled to Ecuador without the board’s approval.

Change in stance and shortage in the position

São Paulo’s top brass had initially ruled out the player’s return. During Dorival Júnior’s introductory press conference, then football executive Rui Costa publicly stated that the defender would not be reinstated. However, the executive’s dismissal, made official last weekend, changed the behind-the-scenes picture and made the center-back’s return possible.

Since taking charge of the team, Dorival Júnior had not opposed the Ecuadorian’s reinstatement. Faced with absences and fitness issues in defense, the coach had already been internally considering the possibility of using the player.

Loss of space and market interest

Before the act of indiscipline, Arboleda had lost his place in the starting lineup under former coach Roger Machado. The center-back’s last appearance in the starting XI came on March 1, against Palmeiras, in the Paulista Championship. His last official match was on March 21, also against the green-and-white rivals, in the Brazilian Championship, when he came on during the game.

During the period in which he was sidelined, the defender attracted interest from other teams on the national scene. São Paulo even received an official loan offer from Vitória, but rejected the financial terms offered. Rivals Santos also showed interest and made inquiries about the player, but the talks did not progress into a definitive deal.

Clubs such as Athletico-PR, Atlético-MG, Vasco, and LDU showed interest, but only if the player were actually released by São Paulo. With that information in hand, the Morumbi club blocked his departure, the natural course amid the act of indiscipline.

It is important to note that Arboleda’s return does not mean the end of the search for players in that position. The club understands it still needs at least one more option for the sector, weakened by Dória’s sudden departure after he requested a contract termination following threats from fans on social media.

THE DAY AT THE CT

With two training sessions this Tuesday (23) at the Barra Funda CT, Tricolor continued fine-tuning during this midseason break for the 2026 World Cup.

In the morning, the squad began the day with mobility and acceleration exercises led by the fitness staff. Then, divided into three teams, the players took part in a possession drill focused on quick circulation, switches of play, and pressing.

After that, coach Dorival Júnior and his staff set up two teams for a scrimmage using a larger area of the field.

In the afternoon, the group worked with the fitness coaches in the gym before heading to the pitch, where they completed two sessions: a three-on-three drill and another activity between two teams.

This Wednesday (24), São Paulo will continue its preparation schedule for the return of the Brazilian Championship and the Copa Sudamericana.

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