Corinthians midfielder on Rafael clash, playing at the Arena

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Central do Timão

·20 January 2026

Corinthians midfielder on Rafael clash, playing at the Arena

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

Early Tuesday afternoon (19th), midfielder Matheus Pereira was officially presented as Corinthians’ new signing during a press conference at CT Dr. Joaquim Grava. The player returns to the club where he was developed after ten seasons away. The new Corinthians number 23 made his re-debut in the 1-1 draw against São Paulo last Sunday (18th) at Neo Química Arena, in the third round of the first phase of the Campeonato Paulista.

Throughout the press conference, the midfielder was asked about the incident with São Paulo’s goalkeeper Rafael, right after Alvinegro’s equalizer, scored by midfielder Breno Bidon in the final minutes of the second half, in a play started by Matheus Pereira. After the ball hit the net, he took the ball from the São Paulo goalkeeper’s hands and brought it to the center of the pitch.

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Photo: Vinicios Cotrim/Central do Timão

“Well, I think it was more about the desire to win the derby, right? We had tied the game, there was still time in stoppage, a considerable amount of time. And we know that playing at home, our fans are our 12th player. So I went to get the ball to restart the game and really try to turn it around,” he began.

Later, he commented on playing at Neo Química Arena with more than 40,000 fans on his side. In a question from Central do Timão, his performance at the Arena in the 2016 Copinha semifinal against Cruzeiro was recalled, as well as, playing for Fortaleza in 2025, his assist for Breno Lopes’ goal in the penultimate round of the first half of the Brasileirão.

“This stadium brings a very good energy to my mind, especially being a Corinthians fan. I’m very happy with the opportunity to play, so every time I had the chance to play here I always tried to do my best and I hope to keep working,” he continued.

Next, he was asked about the importance of Marcelo Paz, Corinthians’ new football executive, in his arrival at Alvinegro. The two worked together at Fortaleza in the second half of 2025. The executive, who worked at Leão from 2015 to 2025, being part of the whole club’s rebuilding process as director, president, and CEO, was involved in his signing for the northeastern team in the middle of last year.

Matheus Pereira joins Corinthians on loan until the end of this season. Before arriving at Fortaleza, he spent three seasons playing for Eibar in Spain.

“Not only my return to Corinthians, but my return to Brazil has a lot to do with him. When he was already at Fortaleza, I was already interested in working with him, because everyone who talked about Marcelo always spoke very highly of him. So, I chose Fortaleza precisely for that, to have the opportunity to work with Marcelo. And when he came to Corinthians, the opportunity to come here also came up. Not just the chance to work with him, but to return to my childhood club, to come back home. I didn’t think twice,” he added.

Finally, he detailed his preferred role on the field. After starting his career in Corinthians’ youth system as an attacking midfielder, he began playing deeper in his later clubs and stated that, currently, his favorite role is as a second central midfielder.

“I think more as a second central midfielder, a second volante, that’s where I was able to develop a lot, especially in Spain, at Eibar, because in the three years I was there, both at Eibar and at Barcelona, I played and evolved a lot in that role. Last year at Fortaleza I was also able to perform well,” he concluded.

At Corinthians, Matheus Pereira will compete with Raniele, José Martínez, Charles, André, Luiz Gustavo Bahia, Breno Bidon, and André Carrillo for a spot in midfield. After leaving Alvinegro in 2016, he played for Empoli (Italy), Juventus B, Dijon (France), Barcelona II, Eibar, and Fortaleza – at the latter, he scored two goals and provided three assists in 20 matches.

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