Terrão graduate looks back on early days in Corinthians youth ranks

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Central do Timão

·11 October 2025

Terrão graduate looks back on early days in Corinthians youth ranks

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

Corinthians' youth academy has been a major asset for the club amid ongoing financial difficulties. One of the pleasant surprises for the club from Parque São Jorge in this second half of the year is midfielder André Luiz, 19 years old. The player was called up by Dorival Júnior to join the main squad's training sessions in recent months and has been standing out.

The young player missed the 2025 Copinha due to a knee injury, which required surgery in March. In July, he returned to play in the youth ranks as a starter for the U-20 team, where he played only five matches before being called up to the senior squad. Last weekend, he scored his first goal as a professional player – in his debut at Itaquera – in Corinthians' 3-0 victory over Mirassol, in the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship.

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

In an exclusive interview with ge.globo, the midfielder, born in Capão Redondo, in the far south of São Paulo, talked about his training routine as a child in Corinthians' youth academy, when he relied on the help of his family: “So many people have taken me: my mom’s friend, my grandmother, her friend… we’d take the subway, the train, it would take almost two hours. I’d have lunch on the way to training. And then I had to wait for rush hour to pass before going home, otherwise (the transport) was really, really crowded,” he began.

Recently, he had his contract renewed until mid-2029, with a salary increase and a higher release clause for both domestic and international transfers – R$ 112 million and 100 million euros (almost R$ 640 million at the current exchange rate). In total, he already has three appearances for Corinthians' senior team.

André mentioned that he intends to help his mother financially more and more. He also revealed to the reporter that, before playing in a World Cup for the Brazilian National Team and playing in Europe, he wants to make history at Corinthians:

“I can already help my mother financially, but I still have the goal of retiring her. Before I leave here, I want to win a title with Corinthians. That will be a dream come true!” he continued.

Later, André explained how he first caught Corinthians' attention at the age of 10 – after spending a month on trial before being accepted – during a 20-1 defeat against the club from Parque São Jorge. The young player is a Corinthians fan thanks to his aunt Flávia: “Even so, they called me for an evaluation. I spent a month and a half training, and then I made it. From then on, I played in all the youth categories.”

André started playing as a defensive midfielder after following the advice of Vinicius Marques, currently the U-20 coach at Santos, but who was an assistant coach and worked for many years in Corinthians' youth academy. Throughout his career, he has also played as a center-back, right-back, and even in a more advanced attacking position: “The second midfielder, that number 8, you know?” he said.

Finally, André stated that his inspiration in football is French midfielder Paul Pogba, World Cup champion in 2018 and with notable stints at Juventus (Italy) and Manchester United (England), who is now seeking to rebuild his career at Monaco in France after two years suspended by FIFA for doping.

André, however, disagrees that his appearance is similar to Pogba’s: “I don’t think we look alike. The running style, the long stride is a bit similar, but I think that’s about it,” he concluded.

The young midfielder has played 80 matches for Corinthians' U-17 and U-20 teams, scoring 11 goals, with 41 wins, 16 draws, and 23 losses. In 2024, he was part of the squad that won the Copinha, against Cruzeiro, in Itaquera. At the time, Timãozinho was managed by Danilo, former player and Corinthians idol, who is now pursuing a career as a coach.

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