Corinthians goalkeeper Matheus Donelli will extend his loan at Shabab Al Ahli in the United Arab Emirates to the end of 2026, with his current deal expiring on Tuesday, 30 June. He is still awaiting documentation to play.
Central do Timão reports that the loan contained an automatic renewal trigger, and a permanent move at the end of the new term is not ruled out. Donelli remains under contract with Corinthians until 31 December 2028.
He is pursuing Emirati citizenship, required because foreign goalkeepers cannot play in domestic competitions.
The process involves securing a local passport and meeting documentation demands before federation registration. His representatives and the club are handling it, with hopes of completing the steps during the renewed loan.
Progress has also been affected by external factors. Ramadan from February reduced public services, and regional instability, involving Israel, the United States and Iran, led to AFC postponements and fixture changes for Shabab Al Ahli.
Even so, Shabab Al Ahli finished league runners-up, 10 points behind Al-Ain, and qualified for the 2026/27 AFC Champions League. Donelli left after slipping to fourth choice behind Hugo Souza, Kauê and Felipe Longo, and his last Corinthians squad appearance was the 1-0 win over Vitória in October 2025.