Maycon on injury comeback at Corinthians, praises Dorival Júnior

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Central do Timão

·01 de novembro de 2025

Maycon on injury comeback at Corinthians, praises Dorival Júnior

By Henrique Pereira / Central do Timão Editorial Team

After almost ten months away from the field due to a severe knee injury, Maycon is experiencing a new phase at Corinthians. The midfielder, who doubted himself during the long recovery process, has rediscovered his good form under the guidance of Dorival Júnior. Previously with little playing time under Ramón Díaz, the number 7 not only returned to regular play but also earned the captain's armband and the trust of the team.

“I was coming from a very difficult period, a long injury, where I didn't have the sequence of games I needed. When you don't have this period of games, you end up creating many things in your head. I thought I wasn't ready to play again, maybe I wouldn't be able to play two games in a row. It was something that was bothering me, and maybe I wasn't able to show that I was capable. I didn't have that sequence. Dorival, when he arrived, managed to give me that sequence,” said Maycon in an interview with ge.globo.

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Ag. Corinthians

The midfielder suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in April 2024 and only returned to wear the black-and-white jersey in February this year. Initially, the lack of confidence was visible, something the player himself acknowledges. He explains that the lack of opportunities during Ramón Díaz's period was a direct consequence of the insecurity he was still facing.

“After a long injury, it's normal for a player not to have 100% confidence. Ramon, when he was here, saw this lack of confidence in myself, maybe that's why he didn't give me opportunities. It was a period of Paulista finals, pre-Libertadores, and South American, where you can't make tests. At that moment, I didn't have that sequence. Dorival gave me that sequence.”, he commented.

In 2025, Maycon has played 34 matches for Corinthians, 20 of them as a starter. During this period, he scored three goals, all under Dorival's command, and provided one assist. More than the numbers, the player shows a clear evolution on the field, with more confidence in decision-making and a leading role in the team.

“I came from a serious injury, so I had many doubts about my actions, my game itself. After a while, I managed to perform better, gaining more confidence. In these last few months, I managed, after a long time, to have a sequence with good performances, helping the team well. Of course, there are games where I can improve in some areas, but these are natural things. I am very happy with the confidence Dorival gave me and to be able to repay, along with the group, this confidence, still with fluctuations in some games, but with more good games than bad ones.”, pointed out the midfielder.

Corinthians, in turn, continues to seek stability in the Brazilian Championship. The team achieved two consecutive victories for the first time in the competition by overcoming Atlético-MG and Vitória in the last rounds. For Maycon, the team's inconsistency is directly related to the mentality with which the squad approaches certain matches.

“Our team fluctuates a lot due to the mental aspect. I strongly believe in a winning mentality, and our team has this mentality because it has already proven it. But, at some moments of the season, we also fluctuate due to this mentality, sometimes thinking that after winning a game, the next one will be a bit easier, being a bit more relaxed. We don't give the attention every game deserves. We believe that every game is important and is a final, but suddenly we can't express and practice this in every game.”, stated the number 7.

However, the midfielder's future is still uncertain. On loan from Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine, until the end of this year, Maycon depends on a new agreement between the clubs to continue at Timão in 2026. Corinthians has already extended the loan four times since 2022 and still needs to resolve a debt of R$ 6.76 million with the Ukrainians, which led to a FIFA ruling.

“I intend to stay, and the club wants me to stay, but it's a complex situation, involving many parties and situations. We have been talking to find a good moment for everyone. For everything I've been through and especially for this year, this return to good football excites me a lot. It might happen, or it might not. Unfortunately, it doesn't depend only on Maycon, nor only on Corinthians.”

Even without guarantees about the future, Maycon ensures full focus on the final stretch of the season. The midfielder says he tries to control only what is within his reach and wishes to end his cycle at the club in the best possible way, regardless of the outcome of the negotiation.

“What I can control are the training sessions and the games. I try to do my best here. I've said this before, and I'll repeat it: it was a beautiful story, and it might end. I wouldn't want it to end now, but if it ends now, it has to end in the best possible way. This is my main goal: to finish well so that I can follow the path I always dreamed of.”

Corinthians returns to the field this Sunday at 4 pm (Brasília time) against Grêmio at Neo Química Arena for the 31st round of the Brazilian Championship. The expectation is for a full house and another good performance from captain Maycon, a symbol of overcoming and the new phase of Timão with Dorival Júnior.

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