Vinícius Moreira spends nights in São Paulo to follow Corinthians amid ALS battle | OneFootball

According to Globo.com, Vinícius Moreira, 35, lives with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and relies on public transport to follow Corinthians, often spending the night in São Paulo after late games. He says the matchday routine helps him cope.

At around 23:30, when games at Neo Química Arena finish, he heads for the coach station but misses the last train to Jacareí, about 80 kilometres away. He waits until services restart. After 21:30 kick-offs he finds a quiet spot to eat and charge his phone, then takes the first 4am train straight to work.

His trips start in Jacareí, either by coach to São Paulo or by bus to Mogi das Cruzes, then a train to Itaquera. The round trip takes between two and a half and three hours. The routine is familiar now, and he is glad when another match arrives.

He began supporting Corinthians in 1998 under his godmother’s influence and first visited Neo Química Arena in 2019, a goalless draw with Internacional. In November 2020 he noticed unusual fatigue and muscle spasms, then swallowing difficulties and hoarseness. After tests and a neurology consultation in March 2021, he received an ALS diagnosis four to five months later.

Moreira reports arm weakness, trouble swallowing and lower back pain, using painkillers when required while keeping to his routine. He has attended more than 100 matches across the men’s and women’s teams, plus youth games and occasional basketball. For him, Corinthians are therapy and, simply, love.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”