Corinthians academy centre-back on warm welcome after senior rise | OneFootball

Corinthians, this Friday (2), completed its seventh day of training at CT Dr. Joaquim Grava during the FIFA international break. After today’s session, 17-year-old center-back Iago Machado spoke to the club’s media channels and celebrated the warm welcome from the Corinthians squad in his first moments as a professional player.

“In here, it’s a united team, where everyone helps and supports each other. Now that I’m moving up, Gustavo (Henrique), Gabriel (Paulista), (João Pedro) Tchoca and André (Ramalho) have been helping me a lot in this work. I can only thank them for the opportunity and for helping me. Let’s go for it because Wednesday is a big match,” he said.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

Iago Machado got his first opportunity with Corinthians’ senior team on September 13, against Flamengo, at the Maracanã Stadium, in a match valid for the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship. That day, he played the full 90 minutes and stood out both statistically and individually on the pitch.

The No. 55 has been earning more space after the injuries to Gabriel Paulista and André Ramalho, both now recovered from a left knee ligament strain and a case of labyrinthitis, respectively. The youngster also got minutes, again starting, on September 20 in the 3-1 loss to Fluminense at Neo Química Arena, in the 28th round of the Brasileirão. On that day, he played 45 minutes.

At 17, the player had already been one of the top standouts in Timão’s youth ranks since last year and is highly regarded internally by the senior department. Despite his young age, he was a regular starter for the U-20 side alongside Yago Melo. Before making his debut for the first team, Iago Machado had already been on Timão’s bench in the following matches: Internacional (H – 0-1), Platense (A – 0-2), Palmeiras (H – 0-0), Vitória (A – 0-0), Mirassol (A – 2-1), Santa Fé (A – 1-1), São Paulo (H – 3-2), Botafogo (A – 3-1), Athletico-PR (H – 0-0), Cruzeiro (H – 1-2), Rosario Central (H – 1-0), Coritiba (A – 2-1), Santos (H – 0-1), Chapecoense (H – 1-2) and Estudiantes (A – 1-1).

Born in 2009 (17 years old), Iago Machado is the fourth-highest scorer for the U-20 team this season, with four goals in 26 matches. Even as a defender, he has fewer goals than only three players in the category: forward Luiz Fernando (19), defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo Bahia (8) and striker Nicolas Araújo (6). At the end of June, he was even called up to Brazil’s U-17 national team for a training period at Granja Comary, in Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro.

His standout performances have meant that, since the start of the year, the youngster has been training with the first team, even being named by Dorival Júnior and Fernando Diniz for Brazilian Championship and CONMEBOL Libertadores matches. At the moment, the youngster is fully integrated into the senior squad, which has the following options in the position: Gustavo Henrique, Gabriel Paulista, João Pedro Tchoca and André Ramalho.

In 2025, he was the second-highest scorer in the U-17 category, with nine goals in 38 matches, behind only Gui Amorim, who scored 19 times in 35 games. Currently, his contract with Corinthians runs until April 2028 and includes a domestic release clause of R$66 million and an international one set at €100 million (more than R$600 million). In October of last year, he signed a contract extension with Timão, increasing both his release clauses and his salary.

Corinthians now has only the Brazilian Championship left to play until the end of the season and will need to start picking up points again to move away from the relegation zone. On Wednesday, October 7, Alvinegro, looking to win after six defeats in the competition, will visit Internacional at Beira-Rio Stadium in the 29th round of the national tournament. At the moment, Timão sits only 14th with 32 points — eight wins, eight draws and 12 losses — with 29 goals scored and 32 conceded. The team from Rio Grande do Sul is 18th, inside the bottom four, with 28.

Corinthians has been handing debuts to center-backs developed in its youth ranks in recent years

Since 2020, Corinthians has been producing center-backs and giving them opportunities in the senior squad. In 2021, João Victor, now playing abroad, made his debut. The following season, it was Robert Renan’s turn, as he rose meteoricly and, within a few months, was sold to Zenit of Russia. Then in 2023, Murillo, now at Nottingham Forest in England, got minutes with the senior side and stood out. Since 2024, João Pedro Tchoca, a Copinha champion with Timão a little over two years ago, has remained with the first team and already has 40 appearances in a Corinthians shirt.

From futsal to center-back

Born in São Bernardo do Campo, in the ABC region of São Paulo, Iago Machado has a long history with Corinthians. His story at the club began in childhood and in futsal, where he played as a pivot. The move to the field also changed his role. Iago began playing mainly as a center-back, although his development also included experience at full-back and as a defensive midfielder.

His rise through the youth ranks gained momentum in 2025. Even though he belongs to the 2009 age group, the defender earned his place in the U-17 squad and finished that season with nine goals, making him the third-highest scorer in the category.

According to TMC, his participation in the Andalusia Tournament, played by Corinthians U-17 in Spain, also helped increase his value internally. After the competition, the club improved the player’s contract terms. In that tournament, Timãozinho was knocked out in the quarterfinals by Barcelona on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

His attributes have drawn attention abroad

At 1.87 meters tall, Iago has speed as one of his main defensive traits. The player also stands out in the air, both to protect his own box and to take part in attacking set-piece plays.

In building plays, the center-back shows ease on the ball, using passes and long balls to start moves from the defensive half. As he is still developing and facing more experienced opponents, growth in physical duels is also part of his adaptation.

His performances in the youth ranks have already attracted attention outside Brazil. Represented by Giuliano Bertolucci, Iago has been watched by representatives of European clubs. According to TMC, Chelsea and Arsenal sent scouts to follow the defender during this year’s Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior.

His preparation off the pitch has also been highlighted behind the scenes. Even at 17, the player maintains specific care for his physical and mental condition. During the Copinha, for example, he removed social media from his phone to increase his focus on the competition.

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