Terrão graduate eyes Copa do Brasil start, inspired by Elias and Paulinho

In partnership with

Central do Timão

·4 December 2025

Terrão graduate eyes Copa do Brasil start, inspired by Elias and Paulinho

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the evening of last Wednesday (3), Corinthians faced Fortaleza at Arena Castelão in a match valid for the 37th and penultimate round of the Brazilian Championship, and ended up being defeated 2-1. With the setback, the Alvinegro dropped to tenth place with 46 points (12 wins, 10 draws, and 15 losses – 41 goals scored and 46 conceded).

In the mixed zone after the match, midfielder André (19 years old), who scored the Corinthians' goal in the middle of the second half, was asked about his main inspirations from players in his position who had significant stints at Alvinegro: “Elias has always been a guy I really liked watching. Elias and Paulinho, who have the same characteristics. I believe I have some similarities with them. When I was a midfielder, my last coaches in the Under-17 always told me to get into the box, and there would always be a ball left over. Today I'm happy to have scored the goal”, he began.

OneFootball Videos

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

Against Fortaleza, André played his eighth match wearing the Corinthians jersey, being his first as a starter. In the 90 minutes he was on the field, the number 49 accumulated: 28/33 accurate passes (85%), 19/24 accurate passes in the opponent's half (79%), 9/9 passes in his own half (100%), 53 actions with the ball, 3/3 successful dribbles (100%), two fouls suffered, one interception, two clearances, five ball recoveries, 2/2 aerial duels won (100%), and 5/9 ground duels won. His rating on Sofascore was 7.2.

Later, the young midfielder was asked about the relationship of the young players from the youth academy (André, Dieguinho, Kayke, and Gui Negão) with the main team players and mentioned Dorival Júnior: “Our relationship with the professional squad is very good. From the first moment we arrived, they welcomed us very well, we already felt part of the group. And with Dorival, he has been gradually giving us more minutes. Today he gave me and Dieguinho the opportunity to start as starters, and I believe we have been responding well, which gives him more confidence in us”, he continued.

André also recalled his journey in the Corinthians youth academy, mentioning that he has played other roles, such as full-back and defender: “Yes, in the youth academy I played in various positions: full-back, defender, I even played as a forward. This, whether you like it or not, helps a lot, sometimes you're on the side of the field and can't play. Especially looking at the midfielder position, sometimes I open up as a third man on the side, like a full-back, which I've done before, making it a bit easier.”

At the beginning of the year, the midfielder missed the Copinha due to a knee injury, returning to the field only halfway through the season, where he played five matches in the Under-20 before being called by coach Dorival Júnior to train with the professional team. After becoming an important part of the main squad, the young player suffered a ligament injury in his ankle in mid-October and returned throughout November.

“The injury was a very difficult time for me. I was on a very good streak. It was right before this year's Copinha. The preparation and sequence were very good. Although the Under-20 didn't win the championship, I was on a good streak. I ended up getting injured, but I recovered well and, thank God, I was able to return and play professionally, everything good and the best in my life. I just want to thank God today.”

The midfielder responded about the possibility of starting in the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil, against Cruzeiro, on December 10 and 14. André stated that if given the opportunity, he will be ready to take the field: “Of course, I'll be ready, if needed, I'll be ready (to play in the Copa do Brasil semifinal). But we still have Sunday's game, the last round to seek a better position (in the table). And after Sunday, focus on the Copa do Brasil, a very important game, a championship we are very focused on, and, God willing, on the 21st (the date of the tournament final), become champions.”

“Let's leave it to him (Dorival). Let's leave it in the coach's hands (about the chance to be a starter). As I said here, if I have the opportunity, I'll be prepared. Whether it's to start as a starter or come in during the second half, I'll be prepared. I'll be preparing so that when the opportunity comes, I'll be well-prepared and take advantage of it”, he concluded.

In eight matches for the main Alvinegro team, he has scored two goals. Now, Corinthians returns to the field next Sunday (7), at 4 pm (Brasília time), against Juventude, at Neo Química Arena, to conclude their participation in the 2025 Brazilian Championship.

See More: