Corinthians full-back eyes season run-in, recalls top displays

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Central do Timão

·16 November 2025

Corinthians full-back eyes season run-in, recalls top displays

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

In recent weeks, right-back Matheuzinho from Corinthians gave an exclusive interview to Central do Timão at the Dr. Joaquim Grava Training Center and discussed various topics, such as the dream of becoming a professional player, the decisive stretch of the season, best moments and performances for the club, among other aspects.

During one part of the conversation with the report, Corinthians' number 2 chose his most memorable moments with the club precisely in the classics against Palmeiras: debuting with the Corinthians jersey in the Derby for the 2024 Paulistão, winning this year's Campeonato Paulista, and the qualification against their biggest rival in the Copa do Brasil.

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Photo: Reproduction/TV Central do Timão

Dream of becoming a football player

“I think few people have this opportunity to live what I am living. First, becoming a football player is already very difficult, something many children try and unfortunately cannot achieve. I was blessed by God to have this gift to reach this level and even more to play for the team of my heart, which is something even harder, and to be here and be able to mark 100 games, have this milestone in my career, have this mark at the club you support. So, it's something that I think few people have this opportunity. I am very privileged to be living this moment.”

Change/Return from ‘Matheus França’ to Matheuzinho

“Actually, it didn't bother me; it was more about recognition, because, like it or not, I was in the professional scene for four years, everyone knew me as Matheuzinho. So, I think we tried to change something, which didn't work out, we saw that everyone recognized me as Matheuzinho, even in the broadcasts, my parents watched the game, and they said the commentators were all confused. So I said, man, everyone knows me like this, there's no reason to change this identity of mine, so we tried something that could be different, but it didn't work out, so I went back to Matheuzinho and it will stay.”

Pressure of playing for Corinthians

“I think from the moment you come to a club the size of Corinthians, with the size of Corinthians' fan base, you are subject to this pressure, because there are many games in the year. So, depending on how the club's season goes, you'll have more criticism or more praise. And man, I think it's good to play in a club that has pressure because it takes you out of your comfort zone, makes you improve every day, shows you that sometimes you're not doing well, you have to change something. And if the football phase is good too, you're on the right path, just keep it up. So, it's really cool to play in a club that has a huge fan base, that has the pressure like here at Corinthians.”

“Because, like, you have to have a psychological, you have to be mentally well, because it's not easy. Saying it's easy is a lie because if you're not doing well on the field, things also get worse in personal life, you can't perform. So, there are always two sides to the coin, right? But I say that playing in a big team, playing in a team that has a fan base like Corinthians, I think the best thing is for a football player to reach a high level. Then, as I said, it takes you out of your comfort zone and shows you that either you're on the right path or you have to change some attitudes.”

Memorable moments – debut for Corinthians in a Derby for the 2024 Paulistão – 2 x 2 and the second game of the 2025 Campeonato Paulista final

“Man, I think there are two. My debut, which was right in the Derby, was a crazy game where we were down two players, I came in at halftime, and we managed to tie with that beautiful free-kick goal from Garro at the end. I was next to him, I said: 'are you going to shoot?' and he said: 'I will'... But, well, he was lucky, but I think in the debut and the second game of the Paulista final.”

Gustavo Henrique as goalkeeper in the historic Derby for the 2024 Paulistão – two players down

“It was a huge surprise. I had never seen Gustavo Henrique in goal. When we played at Flamengo, we did some kickabouts. I never saw Gustavo in goal. He liked being a forward, doing bicycle kicks, just for fun. But in goal, I had never seen him. When he went to goal, I said: 'if he's there, we have to take risks for him and go all out for him.' Because if he's putting himself out there as a goalkeeper, we have to do something to help him. It was a game of pure madness. If it's the last resort, I'll go (in goal).”

Best individual matches for Corinthians

“I think the Derbys this year were memorable. The first leg of the Copa do Brasil round of 16, for me, that game is it. I played a lot, I think I was one of the best, but there's also a game against Santos in the Paulista. I don't remember if it was in the group stage or the semifinal, where I think I dominated the game too, but I think the Derby still stands out.”

Rodrigo Garro's pass in the play that led to Memphis Depay's goal in the Derby for the Copa do Brasil

“It's that (Rodrigo) Garro, he's a player who thinks far ahead, so we're already used to him. We're always alert that any little ball he puts on the ground, he's watching you. Or if we follow, he's watching another player who is better positioned, so it was something we talked about. We talked, we didn't train, but we talked, saying: 'if any foul happens, let's play quickly, because their team takes a little while to reposition.' And then it was no different. We kind of gave a 'little trick' like that, I took it, gave the push to the back, he saw me, and then I was lucky and hit that cross. The cross was practically (for Memphis Depay) perfect.”

Relationship with Bruno Henrique from Flamengo and the kick to the head in the 2024 Copa do Brasil semifinal

“He's a guy I admire, when I came up from the youth team at Flamengo, he was one of the guys who helped me the most. And besides, he's a pure guy, man. And right after the game, he came, he called me. I said: 'man, don't worry, I'm coming there.' I went to the locker room, talked to him. It happens, right? It wasn't malicious. Almost took my head off, but it's okay. But it wasn't malicious, man. It was an incident that, unfortunately, we're prone to happen during the game, but it hurt. It hurt a lot.”

Goal against Athletico-PR, in Itaquera, 5 x 2 victory, final stretch of the 2024 Brasileirão

“It was a difficult shot, from outside the area where you have to take a risk, and it was even a rehearsed play that we did a day before, and it worked out great, and I still managed to hit it into the top corner. For me, it was definitely the most beautiful.”

Painful 2 x 2 draw with Internacional at Neo Química Arena. With 10 rounds to go, the team was still in the Brasileirão's relegation zone

“Man, at that moment, I think that game even has a video that ends the game, we, everyone desolate on the field. And that showed a lot of what our moment was, because we were giving so much, training so much. And we were playing well, and things weren't happening. And with a slip, we conceded a goal in the last minute. The only thing that came to mind was: 'seriously, is this happening to us?'. After we fought so hard to get the two goals. And at the end, it had to be like this. Because man, it was the moment we asked ourselves. What will happen? We were giving our all, all, 100%.”

Family present at the 2025 Paulistão final against Palmeiras

“The whole family present in the stadium, my friends too. I remember that, like, when the game ended, I was right in front of the box where they were. I turned to them, started jumping, shouting. Then came the total emotion, I started crying a lot. It was everything we had lived last year. The beginning of the year very well, those doubts, that roller coaster of emotions. So, man, I think first I celebrated a lot. I looked at them, saw that everyone was happy, everyone was there with me. And then, man, I just knew how to cry. I lay on the ground, cried a lot. And then it was time to celebrate, it was really cool. It was a different emotion.”

Relationship with Corinthians' fans

“The identification that the fans have with me is not because I am a Corinthians fan, but I think it's how they see me on the field, as if they were in the stands, not giving up on going to a game, cheering the whole game, like, it's how they see me on the field. I've always been that fierce guy, who always fights for every ball. So, man, I think this identification that the fans have with me is more because of that, for what I deliver on the field. Of course, the Corinthians feeling also helps, but like, no pressure, because I came here, man, to show my football, to be happy here, to enjoy. I've already fulfilled my dream, but I didn't come with the pressure of, man, 'it has to work out no matter what, because otherwise the Corinthians fans will never like me.' No, I never thought about that, I came light. I came here to fulfill my dream and came here to play my football.”

Dream of winning the Copa do Brasil

“I think the Copa do Brasil is more, how can I say, it's something extra for us to want to show in the Brasileirão. Because like, we know that if we can't perform in the Brasileirão, we won't be prepared for the Copa do Brasil. Yes. So, man, even if there's still a month to go for the Copa do Brasil, we know that if we deliver very well, keep winning, playing well, we'll arrive much more prepared, much more confident, much more with the fans on our side, with everyone on our side, with a slightly bigger winning spirit.”

“And if we abandoned the Brasileirão, played just for the sake of it, and no, a week before we'll prepare for the Copa do Brasil. No, I believe we have a mentality just to evolve. To maintain our level of football that we know. If we keep the level, keep winning, keep winning, our football will arrive very strong in the Copa do Brasil, which is certainly the biggest goal we have this year.”

Return of instruments and flags of Corinthians' organized supporters in stadiums

“I was missing it. The organized supporters deserve it, even the people who might come from far away deserve to see this spectacle. Because man, it's beautiful. I think every player likes to have the fans on their side singing, drumming. It's a spectacle, right? So, imagine for a guy who lives far from São Paulo. He has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come to the arena. And if there's no drumming, the fans can't deliver that spectacle they always do. It's annoying, right? So, man, it's really good. It helps us on the field too, it puts a lot of pressure on the opponent.”

What it's like to play against Corinthians' fans? – Return match of the 2022 Copa do Brasil final against Flamengo

“A game that marked me, of course, maybe Corinthians fans won't like it, was in the Copa do Brasil (2022). The moment Giuliano scores the equalizer. Well, what Gaviões did was bizarre. I was on the field. Man, the silence in Maracanã, the fans shouting, you could only hear Corinthians' fans. Then it went to penalties, and we won. But like, I think that game there, it was cool. Those guys are really tough.”

Only experience in the stands as a Corinthians fan – 2008, in Londrina

“I think it was the first game I was really present as a true fan, it was in Londrina even against Marília, and I think that was it, it was the only game I went to as a fan, then it didn't work out to go anymore, but that game there was really cool because that's where I understood what it was to be a Corinthians fan, how people went out of their way to watch Corinthians' game. In the game, it rained a lot, started hailing, the fans raised flags. So, like, you could see the love for the jersey from the fans, the love among the fans, I think that game was very memorable.”

Projection for the final stretch of the season – Brasileirão and Copa do Brasil

“I think from my position it's just maintaining what I've been doing, thank God I'm doing very well, I managed to find my way, I think it's just maintaining that everything is right, of course, we always have to think about evolving. I think if I maintain the level from now until the end of the year, I'll be able to deliver what Corinthians deserves, and for the group, I think that's it, man. As I told you, game by game in the Brasileirão knowing that we can reach a higher place than we are today in the competition and to arrive prepared that at the end of the year, God willing, we'll finish the year with two titles that I think haven't happened in a long time.”

Matheuzinho's numbers for Corinthians

Signed at the beginning of 2024 after a successful stint at Flamengo, the number 2 took over the absolute starting position in the middle of last year and was important in the team's surge in the last Brasileirão and in the 2025 Paulista title against Palmeiras.

So far, there are 102 games (78 as a starter) – 44 wins, 27 draws, and 31 losses – 52% success rate. Additionally, there are five goals and seven assists. In 2025, there are three goals and four assists. His contract ends in December 2028.

Check out the full interview with Central do Timão below

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