Keeper on Corinthians Futsal’s aim, reacts to legend’s exit

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Central do Timão

·27 February 2026

Keeper on Corinthians Futsal’s aim, reacts to legend’s exit

By Henrique Pereira / Central do Timão Editorial Team

Corinthians is preparing to kick off the 2026 futsal season with the Supercopa Gramado. For the debut, Timão will have goalkeeper Lucas Oliveira, the starting player in the position, who has recovered from the injury suffered at the end of last year.

During the team presentation, the number 2 was asked about the main challenge for the squad in 2026. After a standout season, in which the club reached the finals of the Liga Nacional de Futsal (LNF) and the Campeonato Paulista, as well as winning the Taça SP and the Torneo Mucho Más, the goalkeeper emphasized the need to raise the level even further.

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Photo: Beto Miller/Ag. Corinthians

“Yes, it was a great year. We reached five finals, five championships that we competed in. It’s undeniable that it was a great year. I think the biggest challenge this year is to try to improve on what we did last year. We have, to start, three championships. Corinthians has to reach all three and, consequently, be champion in all three. And that is the biggest difficulty and also our main goal,” Lucas began during the team presentation.

The team remains under the command of Fernando Malafaia, but underwent significant restructuring for 2026, amid financial adjustments promoted by the board. In addition to new signings, the coach will have at his disposal young players promoted from the youth academy: wingers Fellype Bancatelli, Igor Bredof, and Lucas Morales, as well as pivot Nícolas Alves.

On the other hand, the club confirmed the departure of seven players from the main squad: defender Marlon; wingers Edimar, Igor Carioca, Luisinho, and Luiz Brizzi; and pivots Israel Neto and Deives, who announced his retirement from professional futsal. Other homegrown players, such as Hélio, Iván Monteros, Mineiro, Axel Muñoz, Andrey, and Yann, also left Parque São Jorge.

Lucas also commented on the competition for the starting goalkeeper spot. In 2025, he dealt with injuries but was always chosen whenever available. Besides him, the squad includes Kelvin, a more experienced goalkeeper and immediate backup, and the young Vitor Koji, the third option in the hierarchy.

“I think this competition is great, both for us, as one ends up raising the level of the other. And, of course, for the team, because we know that whoever plays, there’s Kelvin and Koji as well. So, they played a bit less last year, but when they did, they delivered. I think that’s great. It gives confidence both to Malafaia and the coaching staff and, very importantly, to the group,” he assessed.

The goalkeeper also analyzed the impact of the departure of idol Deives, who ended his career at the end of last season. For him, the team will need to share responsibilities both on and off the court.

“It’s impossible to replace a guy like him. Both on the court, the leadership he had, and what he represented for Corinthians futsal. We like more experience, we’ll have to take on that responsibility, both the technical responsibility on the court to decide games, because the little guy always made a difference, and the leadership, day to day, we have to share that responsibility and fill that gap,” he concluded.

The season promises to be intense for Corinthians futsal, which will compete in the Supercopa Gramado, Campeonato Paulista, Liga Nacional de Futsal, and Copa LNF. The official debut takes place on March 5, at 4 p.m., against ACBF, at Ginásio Perinão, in Rio Grande do Sul, for the opening round of the Supercopa Gramado.

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