Corinthians academy defender hits 50 games in Italy, club keeps 30%

In partnership with

Central do Timão

·8. November 2025

Corinthians academy defender hits 50 games in Italy, club keeps 30%

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

The defender João Gabriel Cardozo Santos Maklou, who played in Corinthians’ youth system from 2019 to 2023, moving up from the Under-12 to the Under-17 categories, has now reached 50 appearances in Italian football. He was later loaned to Roma’s Under-19 team, where he took part in training sessions with the professional squad, then coached by José Mourinho, before transferring to Como 1907.

Corinthians, as the player’s training club, holds 30% of his economic rights. In a statement sent to Central do Timão, the defender—who has caught the eye of the Italian national team—spoke about reaching this milestone in European football: “Reaching 50 games in Italian football is a feeling of immense gratitude and great motivation. Since I arrived here, I have dedicated myself to adapting and building a solid career. This milestone is proof that hard work is paying off. I feel ready for new opportunities and will continue working to honor the club’s trust in me,” he began.

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Photo: Publicity / Como 1907

At the start of the 2024/2025 season, João Gabriel was integrated into the main squad’s preseason, which features former Spanish midfielder Cesc Fàbregas as head coach—who played for Barcelona (Spain), Arsenal, and Chelsea (England) during his career—and former defender Raphael Varane, who played for major clubs like Real Madrid (Spain) and Manchester United (England), as assistant coach.

João Gabriel holds triple citizenship, allowing him to play in Brazil, Europe, and Asia. He went on to comment about the experience of working alongside these two professionals and showed he is aligned with Como 1907’s goals: “Being in daily contact with the first team, under the guidance of Fàbregas and world-class players, accelerates our learning exponentially. My mind is focused on helping the Primavera team gain promotion to the top division, which is our main goal at the moment, and these 50 games are just the beginning of a long journey I hope to crown with my debut in Serie A,” he concluded.

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