Former Corinthians striker visits CT Dr. Joaquim Grava | OneFootball

On Tuesday afternoon (15), Corinthians held their final training session at CT Dr. Joaquim Grava ahead of the team’s next commitment in the 2026 season. On Wednesday night (16), at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), the Black and Whites will host Argentina’s Estudiantes at Neo Química Arena for the second leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals.

Former striker Jorge Henrique, who wore the Corinthians shirt from January 2009 to May 2013, was present at the club’s training center. During the visit, he received an official Timão jersey from executive Marcelo Paz and football manager Júlio César, the former goalkeeper with whom he played for Alvinegro — 92 times — over several years.

Photo: Disclosure/Corinthians

He currently serves as technical coordinator of Ateneu’s football team in Monte Carlos. In total, he scored 30 goals and provided 27 assists in 216 matches for Corinthians (169 as a starter), with 114 wins, 67 draws and 35 losses — a 63.1% success rate. In addition, he won six titles: the Campeonato Paulista (2009 and 2013), Brasileirão (2011), Conmebol Libertadores (2012), Club World Cup (2012) and Recopa Sudamericana (2013). After leaving the club, Timão’s former No. 23 also played for Internacional, Vasco da Gama, Figueirense, Náutico, Brasiliense, Camboriú, North Esporte Clube, Democrata-SL and Piauí-SL, ending his career in 2024.

After facing Estudiantes-ARG in Itaquera in the second leg of the Conmebol Libertadores quarterfinals, Corinthians will play one more match before the FIFA international break. Next Sunday (20), Alvinegro will host Fluminense, also at Neo Química Arena, at 4 p.m. (Brasília time), in the 28th round of the 2026 Brazilian Championship. At the moment, Timão sit only 13th with 32 points — eight wins, eight draws and 11 losses — with 28 goals scored and 29 conceded, just four points above the relegation zone and coming off five straight defeats in the tournament.

Check out Jorge Henrique’s message celebrating his visit to Corinthians’ training center below:

Today was a day to return home and see old friends again — teammates from the journey, staff members who were always by my side, and the current players who are writing the club’s history today.

More than just nostalgia, this visit carries a special purpose: now, as head of technical coordination for Ateneu’s football team in Montes Claros, I am also working to bring together two worlds that are part of my journey — the giant Corinthians and the development work that has been built at Ateneu.

An exchange of experiences, stories and knowledge between those who lived football at its peak and those who are developing the stars of the future.

Thank you to Marcelo Paz, Football Director, and to my friend and former teammate Júlio César, Football Manager, for the welcome.

Libertadores campaign so far and prize money earned

In the group stage, Alvinegro advanced as leaders of Group E with 11 points — three wins, two draws and one loss — scoring eight goals and conceding four. In the round of 16, they knocked out Rosario Central-ARG by winning 1-0 on aggregate — 0-0 in the first leg (Argentina) and 1-0 in the second leg (Neo Química Arena).

So far, there have been four wins, one draw and one loss — 10 goals scored and five conceded — as well as R$ 25.9 million accumulated in prize money in the competition. If they qualify for the semifinals, Timão will earn another US$ 2.3 million (about R$ 11.85 million at the current exchange rate).

This is Corinthians’ sixth appearance in the Conmebol Libertadores quarterfinals. In 2000 and 2012, against Atlético-MG and Vasco da Gama, Alvinegro advanced. On the other hand, in the 1996, 1999 and 2022 seasons, the Parque São Jorge club was eliminated by Grêmio, Palmeiras and Flamengo, respectively.

Since winning the tournament for the first time in 2012, unbeaten, Timão have not performed well in the competition — in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018, they were eliminated in the round of 16. In 2022, they stopped in the quarterfinals. And finally, in 2020 and 2025, they exited the Libertadores in the preliminary stage. Alvinegro are seeking their third semifinal in the tournament’s history. The other two were in 2000 and 2012.

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