Marquinhos puts Corinthians first for Brazil return: “my beloved club” | OneFootball

Center-back Marquinhos, currently at Paris Saint-Germain in France and a regular presence in the Brazilian National Team, spoke about the possibility of one day returning to Corinthians, the club where he began his career. Developed at Terrão, the 31-year-old defender said he wants to return to Parque São Jorge, but stressed that he intends to do so in good physical and technical condition.

“I still have two more years left on my contract with PSG, and then we’ll see. If I return to Brazil one day, I want to come back in good shape. And in Brazil there is a lot of pressure, especially at the team I would like to return to, which is Corinthians. It’s the club of my heart, where I was raised from childhood at Parque São Jorge. But I can’t come back falling apart,” he said in an interview with the UOL channel.

Photo: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

Marquinhos left Corinthians while still young, at 19, when he was sold permanently to Roma of Italy for around 6 million euros. After a short spell at the Italian club, initially on loan, the center-back was signed by PSG in 2013, the team he still plays for today.

Even after a long career in Europe, the defender reaffirmed his affection for the São Paulo club and did not hide its priority in a possible return to Brazilian football. “If I return to Brazil one day, Corinthians will certainly be a priority. It’s the club that opened the doors for me, where it all began. I have enormous affection for it and I would really like to wear this shirt again,” reiterated the defender, whose contract runs until June 2028.

During his brief spell with Timão’s first team, the player experienced an unusual episode in the club’s 2012 Libertadores triumph. In the title-winning campaign, Marquinhos wore the number 10 shirt, originally intended for Adriano Imperador. With the striker’s departure, the number was inherited by the young defender, in accordance with Conmebol rules.

“It’s true. In the Libertadores, the numbers are fixed from 1 to 25, and Adriano was registered with the 10. And when his contract was terminated, the spot opened up, and I was chosen. I couldn’t change the shirt and had to take the one that was available. So I ended up being the number 10 in the Libertadores, in Corinthians’ first one, and without playing. It’s symbolic. A boy who came up from the academy and won with the number 10 — it’s a story I carry with me,” he recalled.

Despite standing out in the youth ranks — with frequent call-ups to youth national teams and the Copinha title in 2012 — Marquinhos had few opportunities with the first team, making 15 appearances. At the time, coach Tite preferred that he stay, but Roma’s offer ended up being decisive for the transfer.

“He (Tite) wanted me to stay. The opportunity ended up coming up, at the time the offer was very good, and Roma’s coach told me he would wait until the last day of the transfer window. Corinthians never pushed me out. Some market-related things ended up happening and I was sold. At first it was a loan, but I started playing quickly, (Leandro) Castán had just arrived too, and everything worked out,” he concluded.

Over more than a decade in French football, Marquinhos has built a highly successful career. In 12 years at PSG, he has amassed 38 titles and 515 appearances, becoming the player with the most matches in the club’s history. For the Brazilian National Team, he also has major achievements, such as the 2019 Copa América and the Olympic gold medal in 2016, in addition to 103 appearances.

The defender is expected to be on the field next Thursday, when Brazil face France in an international friendly scheduled for 5 p.m. (Brasília time) in Boston, United States. In the squad, he will be alongside goalkeeper Hugo Souza, Corinthians’ representative on the list drawn up by Carlo Ancelotti.

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