Midfielder on Maracanã return and settling in at Corinthians

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Central do Timão

·14 September 2025

Midfielder on Maracanã return and settling in at Corinthians

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the night of last Saturday, September 13, Corinthians faced Fluminense at the Maracanã Stadium in a match valid for the 23rd round of the Brazilian Championship and won by a score of 1-0. The Corinthians' goal was scored by right-back Matheuzinho in the final stretch of the second half.

In addition to the three points, the match was marked by the first game of midfielder Vitinho as a starter wearing the Corinthians jersey. The number 29 was substituted at halftime by coach Dorival Júnior. In an interview with the press after the match, the 31-year-old player commented on the victory and his return to Maracanã, where he frequently played during his time with Botafogo and Flamengo.

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

“Well, it's always very good to be here (at Maracanã). Happy, even more with the victory. I think it was a very difficult game for both teams, but we leave happy with the result, scoring, continuing our streak of games without losing, so we are leaving here very happy,” he began.

He then explained his departure at halftime. In the middle of the first half, he took a hit in the midfield area and needed to be attended to by the Corinthians medical department for a few minutes. However, he stated that the substitution was a technical decision by Dorival Júnior.

“No, it wasn't the hit (that caused the substitution), afterward it was a bit painful, but it was a (technical) option by Dorival Júnior. I am in my phase of adapting physically, due to the time I was out, the time I was stopped. As we didn't have much control of the ball, we had to run more to defend. The coach even opted to put in another midfielder, defending a bit more, so that was the option,” he continued.

The only reinforcement for Corinthians in the mid-2025 transfer window, the number 29 revealed how his adaptation to the Parque São Jorge club has been after three seasons in Arab football: “Very good, huge club. People there add a lot and make the day-to-day easier, we are, thank God, growing every day, even with all the problems that are existing, right? But we are overcoming this and the results are showing for us.”

Finally, he was questioned about the position he played in the match against the Carioca team: central midfielder, a role of Rodrigo Garro, who was cut even from the bench at the last minute with calf pain.

“I feel better playing, being on the field is always good. But that depends a lot on what the team's idea is, what the team's idea is, and with the experience I have. I will try to contribute in any position I am playing, and the coach knows that. It was a dedication I think he had to and opted to make, so I was available to be playing and helping the team in the best possible way,” he concluded.

The victory against Fluminense in the Brazilian Championship made the team rise, provisionally, to ninth place with 29 points (seven wins, eight draws, and eight losses – 24 goals scored and 28 conceded). Corinthians will return to the field only next Sunday, September 21, at 5:30 PM (Brasília time), to face Sport at Ilha do Retiro, for the 24th round of the Brazilian Championship.

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