Matías Rojas case: Fifa orders Corinthians to pay player millions

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Central do Timão

·23 September 2025

Matías Rojas case: Fifa orders Corinthians to pay player millions

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

Corinthians was sentenced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Tuesday, September 23, to pay R$ 41.3 million to Paraguayan Matías Rojas, who wore the Corinthians jersey between July 2023 and February 2024, and unilaterally terminated his contract with the club at the beginning of last year, citing delays in his image rights. The information was initially reported by journalist Pedro Ramiro from Record.

The amounts in question refer to everything the player was supposed to receive until the end of his contract, which would expire in December 2027. After leaving Parque São Jorge, the midfielder played for Inter Miami (United States), River Plate (Argentina), and Portland Timbers (United States) – his current team. Corinthians had appealed to the FIFA body – the last instance in cases like this – which did not accept the arguments made by the Alvinegro.

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

Initially set at R$ 40 million, the amount was increased by R$ 1 million following a request from the player's lawyers, who considered 36 months of debt instead of 35, as was initially planned. The president of Corinthians, Osmar Stabile, suggested to Rojas' staff the installment of the amounts over two years, which was promptly refused. The information was published by Luis Fabiani from Rádio Bandeirantes.

The ge.globo also reported that Corinthians approached the office handling the defense of midfielder Matías Rojas – PVBT Law – to try to reach an amicable agreement. However, the negotiations are still in the initial stages. If the club from Parque São Jorge does not pay the amount in question to the player within 41 days, it may face a new transfer ban. It is worth remembering that the Alvinegro also has an ongoing FIFA sanction due to a debt with Santos Laguna, from Mexico, for the signing of defender Félix Torres in January 2024.

Towards the end of 2023, still under the management of Duílio Monteiro Alves, Matías Rojas notified Corinthians about payment delays. At the beginning of 2024, when Augusto Melo took over the presidency, the debt with the athlete was R$ 8 million, and at that time, the club reached an agreement with the player to pay the overdue amounts in installments. However, the ousted board did not comply with the agreement, and Rojas unilaterally terminated his contract with Corinthians.

On the field, Matías Rojas played only 30 matches for Corinthians and had an unremarkable stint. The Paraguayan did not score any goals and provided three assists. In July 2023, he was acquired by the Alvinegro after not renewing his contract with Racing, from Argentina.

In addition to the sanctions involving Félix Torres and Matías Rojas, Corinthians may also face penalties in the cases of midfielder Maycon and midfielder Rodrigo Garro. The Alvinegro was sentenced in both cases and also appealed to CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport). The amounts are: 1.075 million euros (R$ 6.7 million) for the loan of the number 7 from Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine, and US$ 4,334,400 (R$ 22.7 million) to Talleres, Argentina, for the purchase of midfielder Rodrigo Garro in January 2024.

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