Garro among Corinthians' top assist makers in a Libertadores run | OneFootball

On the night of last Wednesday (9), Corinthians faced Estudiantes-ARG at Jorge Luís Hirschi Stadium in La Plata, Argentina, in the first leg of the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores quarterfinals, and came away with a 1-1 draw. With the result, the Alvinegro need a simple win in the second leg to advance directly to the semifinals. If there is another draw, the matchup will be decided on penalties.

Besides the positive scoreline, midfielder Rodrigo Garro, who provided the assist for forward Kaio César to score Timão’s goal four minutes into the second half, became Corinthians’ third-highest assist provider in a single edition of the Conmebol Libertadores. At the moment, the number 8 trails only former midfielder Marcelinho Carioca, an Alvinegro idol who played for the club between the 1990s and the early 2000s, and recorded nine and six assists in the 1999 and 2000 editions of the tournament, respectively.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

The survey was published by journalist Tomás Rosolino on his X account, formerly Twitter. The Argentine is tied with Alex, Jadson, and Edilson ‘Capetinha’, who also recorded five assists in the 2012, 2015, and 2000 editions of the competition – Check out the full list in more detail at the end of the article.

By setting up Kaio César last night, Rodrigo also became the top assist provider in this edition of the Libertadores, with five assists. The first two came in the opener, in the away win against Platense-ARG, when he set up forwards Kayke and Yuri Alberto. Then, in the second round of the group stage, in the 2-0 win over Colombia’s Santa Fé, he delivered a free kick toward center-back Gustavo Henrique, who scored with a volley. In the next match, against Peñarol-URU, which Timão won 2-0 in the third round of the group stage, he assisted Gustavo Henrique once again.

He moved past Flaco López of Palmeiras and Matías Fernández of Argentina’s Independiente Rivadavia, both of whom have four assists in this edition of the tournament. Rodrigo Garro has been rediscovering his best form since the arrival of head coach Fernando Diniz, hired in April. In 45 matches this season, he has scored three goals and provided 12 assists.

Previously, his last assist for Corinthians had come on May 14, in the 1-0 win over Barra-SC in the second leg of the fifth round of the 2026 Copa do Brasil, when he set up Yuri Alberto to score the game’s only goal and seal Timão’s place in the round of 16.

Since joining Corinthians in January 2024, after standing out for Argentina’s Talleres, he has scored 18 goals and provided 34 assists in 146 matches (119 as a starter), with 63 wins, 41 draws, and 42 losses – a 52.5% success rate. The number 8 was key in the team’s surge in the Brasileirão the year before last (from the relegation zone to the Libertadores preliminary rounds – seventh place with 56 points), and was also part of the title-winning squads in the Campeonato Paulista (2025), Copa do Brasil (2025), and Supercopa do Brasil (2026), against Palmeiras, Vasco da Gama, and Flamengo, respectively.

Last year, he went through his most inconsistent spell at Parque São Jorge. He managed only two goals and eight assists in 38 matches in 2025. The low number of appearances is explained by the physical problems the Argentine had. Between March and May, he was sidelined with patellar tendinopathy in his right knee. Then, between October and November, he suffered a calf injury, which also affected his performances on the field.

With Rodrigo Garro available, before facing Estudiantes-ARG again in the middle of next week, Corinthians are preparing to return to the pitch next Sunday (13) at 5:30 p.m. (Brasília time). The Alvinegro will visit Flamengo at the Maracanã Stadium for the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship. Timão currently sit in 12th place with 32 points – eight wins, eight draws, and 10 losses – with 27 goals scored and 27 conceded.

Rodrigo Garro’s assists for Corinthians in the Libertadores; competition leader in the category

4) Estudiantes 1 x 1 Corinthians – 09/09/2026 – Libertadores 2026 – one assist3) Corinthians 2 x 0 Peñarol – 30/04/2026 – 2026 Libertadores Group Stage – one assist2) Corinthians 2 x 0 Independiente Santa Fé – 15/04/2026 – 2026 Libertadores Group Stage – one assist1) Platense 0 x 2 Corinthians – 09/04/2026 – 2026 Libertadores Group Stage – two assists

Corinthians players with the most assists in a single Libertadores edition:

1. Marcelinho (99) – 92. Marcelinho (00) – 6[3. Garro (26) – 5]*3. Alex (12) – 53. Jadson (15) – 53. Edilson (00) – 57. Paulinho (12) – 47. Sheik (12) – 47. Liedson (03) – 47. Edmundo (96) – 4

*Corinthians are still in the tournament; the numbers may improve

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