Gamarra becomes Corinthians link in bid to strengthen Conmebol ties | OneFootball

Amid the Copa Libertadores campaign, Corinthians is also working behind the scenes to strengthen its institutional presence with Conmebol. In this move, former center-back Carlos Gamarra, who played for Timão between 1998 and 1999, has taken on an important role in bringing the club closer to the body that governs South American football.

According to information from UOL, the club’s board identified the need to improve its relationship with Conmebol and found in the former Paraguayan player a bridge to expand dialogue. Gamarra’s relationship with Alejandro Domínguez, the confederation’s president, is seen as one of the factors that could help facilitate that rapprochement.

Photo: Disclosure / Corinthians

The move has already resulted in an institutional visit to Conmebol’s headquarters in Luque, Paraguay, attended by president Osmar Stabile, football executive Marcelo Paz, and Gamarra himself.

Marcelo Paz was already acting as an intermediary

The rebuilding of this relationship, however, began before the former center-back became involved. Since the start of the year, Marcelo Paz has been one of the main people responsible for Corinthians’ contact with the continental body.

The executive already had experience in this kind of role from his time in charge of Fortaleza. During his tenure, the Ceará-based club took part in editions of the Libertadores and reached the Copa Sudamericana final, increasing Paz’s contact with Conmebol’s structure.

Internally, however, the possibility of adding someone with close access to the confederation’s president was viewed positively. It was in this context that Gamarra gained space.

Friendly match opened the way for closer ties

The first step came on July 12, when Corinthians and Cascavel faced each other in a friendly in Paraná. On that occasion, Gamarra and Marcelo Paz spoke about the club’s relationship with the South American body.

Osmar Stabile was not present on that trip, but according to UOL’s reporting, he was informed afterward about the contact. From there, the president invited Gamarra for a conversation at Parque São Jorge.

The meeting took place on August 28 in the president’s office at Corinthians’ social headquarters. It was during that meeting that the possibility emerged for the former defender to accompany the club’s executives on a visit to Conmebol and directly help build a closer relationship.

Gamarra joins delegation in Paraguay

The initiative moved forward with the trip to Luque. Stabile, Marcelo Paz, and Gamarra made up the delegation that represented Corinthians at the confederation’s headquarters.

Also according to UOL, the Corinthians president’s assessment of the former player’s involvement was positive. The intention is for Gamarra to continue collaborating on new contacts between Corinthians and Conmebol.

The move comes after the current administration concluded that the club’s relationship with the continental body was below the level of the ties Corinthians maintains with other football organizations. As a result, Corinthians is seeking to expand institutional dialogue and establish closer communication.

Gamarra has qualities considered useful in this process. In addition to being Paraguayan and having a relationship with Alejandro Domínguez, the former center-back has ties to Corinthians built during his spell at the club in the late 1990s.

Closer ties come at a decisive moment in the Libertadores

The work off the pitch is taking place precisely as Corinthians competes in one of the most important stages of its continental campaign.

This Wednesday (16), at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time, Timão hosts Argentina’s Estudiantes at Neo Química Arena in the second leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals. The first match, played in La Plata, ended in a 1-1 draw.

As a result, whoever wins in Itaquera will advance directly to the semifinals. If the match ends in another draw, regardless of the score, qualification will be decided on penalties.

Libertadores champion for the first and only time in 2012, Corinthians is trying to conquer South America again 14 years later. Alongside the sporting pursuit of a second title, the current administration is working to rebuild and strengthen its institutional relationship with the body that organizes the continent’s main club competition.

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