Neto hits back at calls to remove bust at Corinthians, cites legacy | OneFootball

Neto spoke out this Monday (15) after Corinthians fans created petitions calling for the removal of his bust from Parque São Jorge. In a post on social media, the former attacking midfielder responded to the criticism by highlighting his career in the black-and-white shirt and said that his history with the club cannot be erased.

While posting a photo beside the bust installed at Timão’s social headquarters, the current host and commentator recalled the numbers from his time at Corinthians. Neto also emphasized the commitment he showed as a player and linked the tribute to the performances he built on the field.

Photo: Disclosure / Corinthians

“It were 6 years, 228 matches and 86 goals in the Corinthians shirt. History cannot be erased! This bust was earned with a lot of sweat and dedication. I was always a player who played with love and grit. I never needed anyone to defend me. My defense was always to honor the Corinthians shirt.”

Understand the discussion involving Neto’s bust

The statement comes amid the circulation of petitions made by fans who support removing the tribute dedicated to the former No. 10 at Parque São Jorge. Among the reasons presented by one of the movements are recent and past statements by Neto that displeased part of the fanbase.

One of the texts used to justify the request cites, among other episodes, the former player’s stance on the 2005 Brazilian Championship and statements considered complimentary toward rival clubs.

So far, the movement comes from fans and does not, by itself, represent an official Corinthians decision regarding whether the bust will remain or be removed.

Neto left his mark in a generation wearing the Corinthians shirt

Regardless of the current discussion, Neto occupies an important chapter in the club’s sporting history. The midfielder arrived at Parque São Jorge in 1989 and became one of the main figures of the team that won the Brazilian title in 1990, Corinthians’ first title in the national competition.

The following year, he also took part in winning the 1991 Supercopa do Brasil. In the final against Flamengo at Morumbi, it was Neto himself who scored the goal in Corinthians’ 1-0 victory. The former player was also part of the squad that won the 1997 Paulista Championship, after returning to the club for a second spell.

In his post this Monday, Neto listed 228 matches and 86 goals for Corinthians. There are, however, discrepancies among historical records regarding the exact number of goals the former midfielder scored for the club, with other sources recording 80. Therefore, the 86 goals correspond to the number cited by the former player himself in his statement.

Bust is part of Parque São Jorge’s tribute gallery

The tribute to Neto is part of the set of busts dedicated to figures who shaped the black-and-white club’s history. Historic names in Corinthians football, such as Neco, Cláudio, Baltazar, Luizinho, Sócrates, Rivellino, Teleco, Ronaldo Giovaneli, Marcelinho Carioca, Wladimir, Zé Maria and Basílio, have also been immortalized at the social headquarters.

The space also includes tributes to figures from other areas of Corinthians’ history, among them Wlamir Marques and Amaury Pasos, basketball icons, as well as Dona Elisa, recognized as the club’s symbolic supporter.

Faced with requests for the removal of his bust, Neto chose to respond by referring back to the period when he played for Timão. The message ended with the statement that his way of defending himself has always been tied to what he achieved while wearing the black-and-white shirt.

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