Corinthians icon on new third kit, tribute to club’s great keepers | OneFootball

At the beginning of September, Corinthians unveiled its third kit for the 2026 season. The uniform, inspired by the one worn by former goalkeeper Tobias, pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of the movement known as the Corinthian Invasion, when 70,000 Corinthians supporters were at the Maracanã in December 1976 to watch that year’s Brazilian Championship semifinal

Former defensive midfielder Basílio was there that day. At a Nike event at Shopping Anália Franco on Tuesday night (29), Pé de Anjo highlighted Corinthians’ appreciation for the historic goalkeepers who played for the club and also emphasized the emotional connection to the new kit. It is worth remembering that Timão debuted the new gear, worn by goalkeeper Hugo Souza, on September 20 in a 3-1 loss to Fluminense in Itaquera, in the 28th round of the Brazilian Championship.

Photo: Reproduction/Central do Timão

“As for the jersey, I really liked the design and the color because of the tribute to Tobias. I had the privilege of being at the match, in which unfortunately we were defeated by Fluminense, and of presenting this jersey to his family. But the most important thing was not just the jersey itself, but the fact that all the goalkeepers were honored there. They were represented from Tobias, through Jairo, and ending with Cássio,” he began.

Basílio also said that the new jersey brings back classic elements that help recognize the entire legacy left by the main goalkeepers who defended Corinthians’ goal. The former player believes the new product is a way of recalling the club’s visual identity, which is even present in the institution’s trophy memorial.

“And, besides that, the jersey really stands out, especially because of the reference in the Memorial. People must have already seen some historic photos there with the blue jersey, that classic blue one with the Corinthians crest. So all of this ends up being a fair tribute that the club is paying to all the goalkeepers,” he said.

Tobias, who played for Corinthians between October 1975 and May 1978, passed away in 2024. Wearing the Corinthians jersey, he played 125 matches (118 as a starter), with 67 wins, 29 draws, and 29 losses — a 61.3% success rate. In addition, he won two titles with Alvinegro: the Taça Governador do Estado and the Campeonato Paulista, both in 1977. In 1976, he was the hero of the club from Parque São Jorge’s qualification for the Brasileirão final, saving two kicks against Fluminense in the penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regular time.

Basílio, meanwhile, played 253 times for Timão (223 as a starter), with 128 wins, 67 draws, and 58 losses — a 59.4% success rate. In total, he won three titles: the Taça Governador do Estado (1977) and the Campeonato Paulista (1977 and 1979). Pé de Anjo had his greatest moment with Alvinegro when he scored the goal that secured Timão’s 1977 state title against Ponte Preta at Morumbi, in front of more than 140,000 people, ending the club’s 23-year trophy drought.

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