Matheuzinho on fitness, Libertadores glory and Brazil dream | OneFootball

Going through a more consistent spell in a Corinthians shirt, Matheuzinho credits part of his on-field improvement to an important change in his routine off the pitch. The right-back set up a physical training structure in his own home to complement the work done at CT Joaquim Grava and stepped up his body care since last season.

In an interview with ge, the number 2 showed the private space he uses for recovery and strengthening and spoke about different moments of his journey at the club. In addition to physical preparation, Matheuzinho reflected on establishing himself at Corinthians, commented on the confidence he has received from Fernando Diniz, revealed his desire to play for the Brazilian National Team, and placed winning the Libertadores among the squad’s main goals.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

The player explained that the decision to invest in his own setup came from realizing he needed to add new care to his professional routine. According to him, the change is directly related to the level he is showing now.

“Football is evolving a lot. I felt like I needed something extra to improve. That’s where the idea of setting up a gym came from. It helped my performance 100%.”

His attention to the physical side has increased especially from last year to now. Matheuzinho said he spoke with his physiotherapist and began prioritizing preventive measures to reduce the risk of injuries.

“From last year to now, I have focused 100% on my body. I spoke with my physiotherapist and said I was going to take better care of myself to avoid injury. In fact, this year I haven’t been injured even once. I’m very happy because I’m able to perform more than I was performing before, precisely because of that. When training ends, I take care of myself at the club, but there’s also post-training work here at home.”

Home setup complements work at Corinthians

One of the main pieces of equipment used by the full-back offers more than 200 exercise options for the lower body, upper body, and core. The machine allows specific load and resistance settings, as well as storing information about each activity.

Physiotherapist Amil Henrique, who works at Corinthians and also follows Matheuzinho individually, explained how the tool is used in the player’s preparation.

“This equipment is important because it takes up less space and has more than 200 exercises that can be done. It’s a machine with exercises for the lower body, upper body, and core.”

According to the professional, the monitoring also takes into account assessments carried out after matches to define the type of work needed at each moment.

“Matheus, for example, does assessments in the 48 hours after a game and, based on those evaluations, we outline specific strategies to develop. Through the equipment’s more than 200 protocols, we are able to establish the best recovery pattern and, automatically, performance.”

Matheuzinho uses the setup on days when he is not involved in matches, trips, or training camps. The full-back explained that the activities are planned to complement, not compromise, what is done at the club.

“On free days during the week, we try to work. It depends on what Amil has for me, whether it’s strength training or recovery work. We take these precautions to do good work so that it doesn’t affect my performance at the club and helps me perform better and better.”

Thin squad increases concern about recovery

The care has also become more important given the situation Corinthians are facing. With injured players and unable to register reinforcements due to transfer bans, the club is working with reduced squad options.

For Matheuzinho, the situation demands even greater attention from the players regarding recovery between matches.

“It’s a very big responsibility, precisely because the club can’t replace the injuries it has. We have to take care of ourselves five times more, because we know that if more people get injured, it will be more dangerous for us, because the group keeps getting smaller.”

“We are focused on the game, but we are also focused on recovery, which is very important. We know that, since the games come in a short period of time, we have to take better care of ourselves to be ready when it’s time to play.”

The full-back himself was rested for the 2-1 defeat to Coritiba last Sunday (23) in the Brazilian Championship. After the match, Fernando Diniz explained that his absence was due to the need for recovery after the run of games accumulated by the player.

Matheuzinho considers this the best moment of his career

At 150 matches for Corinthians, Matheuzinho also assessed his evolution since leaving Flamengo and arriving at Parque São Jorge. The full-back believes he is currently going through the best individual spell of his career, mainly because of his run as a starter.

“I think I’m living my best moment. At Flamengo I played more than 135 games, but I didn’t have this run as the undisputed starter in the position. Now I’ve established myself at Corinthians. This is my best moment, more because of the phase I’m living, in terms of performance during matches. Diniz tells me a lot that I’ve been very consistent.”

The player acknowledged that he arrived at the club under some doubt, but said he believed in the possibility of earning his place. For him, maturity and understanding his role within the squad were key to the change in circumstances.

“I think it’s maturity... When I arrived, I was a prospect, I had come from Flamengo, maybe with some doubts around me. But I knew that here I could really succeed. At the beginning there was that turbulence. But I knew that if I managed to find my best football, I could establish myself, as I did.”

Matheuzinho also recalled the competition with Fagner and the confidence he received from Ramón Díaz and Emiliano Díaz during the process of establishing himself.

“What changed most was the issue of maturity, understanding what my place is within the squad. When I arrived, there was very heavy competition, which was with Fagner. Emiliano and Ramón gave me total confidence so that I could take over the position. From there, I understood that if I kept performing the way I was, I could be Corinthians’ number 2. That’s when I believed, started working more off the pitch than I used to before. The result came.”

Dream of playing for the Brazilian National Team

His improvement in the black-and-white shirt is also fueling another goal for the full-back: reaching the Brazilian National Team. Matheuzinho acknowledged the strong competition for the position, but believes that maintaining his performances at Corinthians can bring him closer to a call-up.

“My biggest dream is to be able to wear the National Team shirt and represent my country. It’s something I’ve been building every day. Being in this good moment that I’m living at Corinthians, the chances get bigger and bigger for me to be called up. The competition is very strong, but I believe the opportunity can come.”

“I keep working very hard, focused on Corinthians, because if I’m doing well at Corinthians, I’m sure the call-up will come. I’m focused on being good at the club, because by performing and giving a lot to the club, that call-up can happen. It’s a dream I have. I hope that in this next cycle I get some opportunities.”

Fernando Diniz also appears as someone who encourages that goal. The full-back revealed that the coach talks with him frequently about his potential and about the possibility of reaching the national team.

“Yes, he’s a guy who puts that idea even more in my head. Every single day he talks about my level. These past few days I even spoke with him. He said that even I don’t know the potential I have. I’m very grateful to have a coach who trusts and believes in me so much.”

“From the first day he arrived at Corinthians, he spoke to me about the Brazilian National Team. If he is someone who has already been there and said that I have to be there, then I think I’m on the right path. I have to trust what he is saying and trust what I’m doing. I’m very grateful, because he is a guy who helps me a lot. He is maximizing my football more and more. I hope he helps me get there.”

Future at Corinthians after 150 matches

Matheuzinho was also asked about his plans for the next stage of his career. The full-back showed satisfaction at the club and did not rule out significantly increasing his number of appearances for Timão, but acknowledged that a possible transfer could also happen in the future.

“It feels like it was yesterday that I arrived. I’ve already reached 150 games, so time goes by very fast. I’m very happy here, my family is happy. I’m living a great moment on the pitch and off the pitch too. I don’t know... The future belongs to God.”

“I’m very happy. If it happens that I stay here, I’ll continue to be happy, giving the maximum that I can give. I can reach 200, 300 games in a Corinthians shirt, and I’ll be happy. But if a transfer happens, may it be good for Corinthians and good for me. I’ll be happy too, because I’ll be helping the club in some way.”

“Whatever happens from here on, you just have to place it in God’s hands, there’s no way to predict it. If I stay here to make a beautiful history, I’ll be very happy, my family will be happy.”

Libertadores appears as the main objective

In addition to his individual goals, Matheuzinho placed the Libertadores at the center of Corinthians’ collective ambitions. A champion of the tournament with Flamengo in 2022, the full-back said he knows the impact such an achievement can have on a player’s and a club’s trajectory.

“That is our biggest dream. I already had the opportunity to win the Libertadores once. I know how that changes the path of a player and of a club. I know how important it is, especially for this institution which, unfortunately, only has one title.”

The number 2 also linked a possible title to the off-field moment Corinthians are experiencing. In the player’s view, winning the second Libertadores in the club’s history would make the current squad leave a legacy at the club.

“If we manage to win a Libertadores, with everything that is happening at the club, in political matters, we will be remembered forever. Many things happen outside the training center that end up being bad news for Corinthians’ image, but we players talk a lot about legacy. We know the importance we have inside that training center, wearing this shirt.”

“We even joke that a Corinthians fan’s week depends on us, the players, because if we win, the fans are happy. If we lose, the fans are sad. If we manage to win a Libertadores title, it will be remembered forever and it will mark all the players. The squad that managed to win the second Libertadores title in a Corinthians shirt.”

Even after the elimination in the Copa do Brasil, Matheuzinho said the priority set by the group has not changed. According to him, the Libertadores had already held a prominent place since Fernando Diniz arrived.

“Actually, the Libertadores was the competition we talked about from the very first moment Diniz arrived, that it was our main focus and that in every game we had to think about the Libertadores. That there we have to be extraordinary to win the title.”

“Unfortunately there was the elimination in the Copa do Brasil, but nothing changed our thinking. We know how important this competition is for the club. And we know how important it is for us players. It is the competition we are going to give our all in so that, God willing, we can win this title.”

Performances in decisive matches

The full-back also commented on the level he shows in higher-stakes matches. Matheuzinho believes the importance of those games naturally increases his concentration and intensity.

“It’s the style of game I most like to play, because I know the weight a match of this magnitude carries. The sense of urgency for a game of this size is very great, so I have to be 120% prepared. Unconsciously, for this type of game, I’m more alert, more fired up. That helps me.”

“As they say, in big games I manage to show up more. I’m happy that, in this type of game, I can perform more and give more to Corinthians.”

Living with pain and knowing his own body

Finally, Matheuzinho explained that living with pain is part of a professional player’s routine. According to the full-back, experience allows him to better understand the signals his body gives and to distinguish common discomfort from pain that may represent an injury risk.

“That comes more with time, as you get to know your body. It’s normal. Since you’re younger, a player normally doesn’t have a day when he isn’t feeling some kind of pain, because you go to training, get stepped on, or take a foul, a knock, something. So we kind of get used to living with pain.”

“As time goes by and you get a little older, you start understanding how your body works and, from the moment you understand that it’s a different pain, one that can bring risk, you end up easing off and recovering more. It’s about understanding how your body works. At the right moment, pulling back a bit or knowing that this pain is normal and won’t affect performance.”

With his physical care reinforced and now established among the squad’s main options, Matheuzinho remains available to Fernando Diniz for the rest of the season. Corinthians return to the pitch next Sunday (30) at 4 p.m., when they host Santos at Neo Química Arena in the 25th round of the Brazilian Championship.

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