Matheus Pereira’s European journey and infamous penalty, Corinthians seal loan return | OneFootball

Corinthians have confirmed the loan return of Matheus Pereira from Fortaleza until the end of 2026, with an option to buy. The 27-year-old becomes their second addition of the year after Gabriel Paulista, coming in to offset Maycon’s departure at the start of 2025.

He was sold to Juventus in 2016 for €2.5 million, with Corinthians retaining five percent of his rights and 95 percent ceded to agent Fernando Garcia to settle debts, according to ge.globo. On arrival he was loaned to Empoli, then further stints followed at Bordeaux, Dijon, Juventus B, Paraná and Barcelona B.

Barcelona B signed him permanently in 2021 for €8.2 million. After two years at Barcelona he moved to Eibar, spending three seasons there and featuring regularly, recording one goal and five assists in 32 LaLiga2 matches last term.

A Corinthians academy product from 2011, the left-footed midfielder stands 1.83m and was nicknamed Pirulão. Promoted by Tite at 17 in 2015, he made three senior appearances and was part of the title-winning Brasileirão squad that year.

He helped the club reach the 2016 Copinha final against Flamengo, scoring the side’s second goal. He then missed his kick in the shootout with a chipped effort onto the bar, a moment that contributed to reduced opportunities with the first team.

Fortaleza recruited him in May 2025 to aid their survival push. Despite encouraging performances, he could not prevent relegation and finished with five goal contributions in 20 games, starting most of them.

Source: Meu Timao