André Luiz recalls 2012 Libertadores win and rise at Corinthians | OneFootball

Midfielder André Luiz, developed in Corinthians’ youth academy, recalled memorable moments from his football journey and his relationship with the club in an interview with ESPN at CT Dr. Joaquim Grava. The player highlighted everything from his childhood as a fan to establishing himself in the professional squad.

When speaking about his main memory involving Corinthians in the Libertadores, the athlete went back to 2012, when he followed the title-winning campaign from outside the pitch. “I was watching back where I lived, we grabbed a little TV and put it near a kiosk, everyone watching, holding the antenna so the signal wouldn’t drop,” said the Terrão gem about the match against Boca Juniors in 2012, the year the club won South America for the first time. “It was nothing but happiness when those two goals from Sheik went in... unforgettable.”

Photos: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

The player’s path to Corinthians was also marked by challenges. After an initial trial without being approved, André got another opportunity and caught attention during a friendly match while still in the early youth categories.

“It was kind of unusual,” the youngster joked to ESPN while remembering the match. “It was a friendly at Parque São Jorge, our team against theirs. We got absolutely smashed, 20–1. I scored a nice little goal. I think the coach must have liked it and called me in for a trial. I stayed a week, two weeks, three weeks, kept coming back, coming back. And I’m still here today.”

During his time in the youth ranks, the midfielder also faced difficulties off the pitch, especially related to getting to the training center.

“The distance from where I lived to get here was really difficult. I was underage, very young, and my mother wouldn’t let me come alone. So it was always hard to find someone to bring me. A lot of people brought me already: my mother’s friend, my grandmother, my aunt, a lot of people. That was one of the biggest difficulties. Over time, the situation got easier after the family moved, allowing us to be closer to the club.”

“My mother managed to move closer to Parque São Jorge. It was good for her too because she worked in Liberdade. It made things easier for me and for her. I always wanted to give my best, I never thought about giving up, I never thought about leaving Corinthians, I always thought about being there. In my head, I never thought I would leave.”

Even as he improved, the athlete revealed that he came close to being released during his youth years, a situation that changed with support from the coaching staff.

“From under-15 to 16, I was on a list to be released. I believe Vini [Vinícius Marques], who is now at Santos, said for me to stay. I kept going, and Vini was the coach who helped settle me in midfield, said that was where I would have the easiest time, where I would adapt better. From then on he helped me a lot. In the under-16s I got more minutes, under-17 was a bad year, in the second year I was a starter all season, managed to be consistent and show my football.”

The transition to the professional squad came after an opportunity in training sessions with the first team, still under Dorival Júnior.

“I trained once with the first team, coach Dorival ended up liking my work and called me to train. The game was on a Wednesday, I came to train on Thursday, then on Friday there was a trip to Ribeirão for the Paulista under-20 championship. They sent me to the game, I went, I played. On Monday I reported to the first team and since then I’ve only been here,” André recalled to ESPN about the dream of being in Corinthians’ senior team.

The player also remembered his first moments with the first team, from his first call-up to his official debut.

“The first game I went to, against Vasco, I didn’t get on. I was already living a dream. I was already in awe. In the first game you can see it’s different, their fans shouting like crazy. In the youth ranks, having fans is rare. For me, it was the first experience on the bench, a unique experience that will stay with me forever. In the actual debut, against Fluminense, I was even calm. You lean on God and stay calmer. I was pretty relaxed.”

Finally, André highlighted the emotion of scoring his first goal in a Corinthians shirt, as well as winning the Copa do Brasil that season.

“The first goal was a really great feeling. When I scored, all I saw was the fans shouting. Yuri was in front of me, I hugged him, even Hugo came out of goal to hug me. I thanked God. It was hard to get there, it was a dream. It was always my dream to play for Corinthians’ first team and win titles. To win. Winning the Copa do Brasil the way we did, with so many ups and downs, in the semifinal against Cruzeiro, who were the favorites, we did what we did. Against Vasco we weren’t that favored either, and we did what we did. It was unprecedented,” André told ESPN about the season that ended with the Copa do Brasil trophy against Vasco, in the same Maracanã where André made his professional debut.

Corinthians now turn their attention to the rest of the season. The team takes the field this Thursday (09), at 9 p.m. (Brasília time), when they face Platense in Argentina in the opening round of the Conmebol Libertadores group stage.

See more:

Corinthians News

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