Zé Maria on 1976 invasion, Tobias and the Fiel: ‘Eternal gratitude’ | OneFootball

One of the figures who experienced from on the pitch one of the most remarkable episodes in Corinthians history went back in time to remember the 1976 Corinthians Invasion. A club idol and the right-back of that team, Zé Maria spoke about the mobilization of the Fiel, praised goalkeeper Tobias, and highlighted the importance of that campaign for Timão’s following years.

The conversation with Central do Timão took place at the Corinthians Official Store at Shopping Aricanduva, in the East Zone of São Paulo. This Saturday (19), the venue hosted a special program with the presence of black-and-white idols during the presentation of the store’s new phase, which now features the renewed identity of the club’s official store network.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Ag. Corinthians

The meeting also took place amid the launch of Corinthians’ third kit for the 2026/27 season. The blue shirt developed by Nike pays tribute to Tobias and the 1976 Invasion, an episode that marks its 50th anniversary this season and had Zé Maria among the protagonists on the field.

Zé Maria recalls the Corinthians Invasion

In 1976, thousands of Corinthians fans traveled from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro to follow the Brazilian Championship semifinal against Fluminense at the Maracanã. Zé Maria was on the pitch and, five decades later, highlighted that the relationship between the fans and the club remains one of Corinthians’ main trademarks.

When asked about the feeling of having witnessed the invasion from the field, the former player described the memory as a gratitude that remains to this day.

“It’s very special, it’s eternal gratitude. We will never forget that. I think that 40 years ago and today it seems to me it’s the same thing. Corinthians fans don’t deceive, they don’t change, they will always be faithful. It’s a shame the results haven’t been coming, but they will return.”

The match ended in a 1-1 draw, and Corinthians’ qualification was decided on penalties. Timão won 4-1 and advanced to the Brazilian Championship final, with Tobias playing a decisive role in the shootout.

Tribute to Tobias moves former teammate

The goalkeeper is precisely the central figure of the new third black-and-white shirt. The model brings back the blue used by Tobias that season and is part of Corinthians’ tributes to the 50th anniversary of the Invasion.

A teammate of the keeper on that team, Zé Maria approved of the club’s initiative and recalled the former goalkeeper’s part in that campaign. In his response, the idol also linked the result achieved at the Maracanã to the rest of the competition.

“Well, we have to praise the club, right? For putting together these wonderful tributes it has been doing. Tobias was the great goalkeeper of ’76 at the Maracanã, and he made our fans invade Beira-Rio because of that result. It was rewarding. I think that for those of us who were part of this story, it’s nice to relive it.”

After eliminating Fluminense, Corinthians faced Internacional in the 1976 Brazilian Championship final at Beira-Rio. The team from Rio Grande do Sul won 2-0 and took the title, but the black-and-white campaign secured the club a place in the 1977 Libertadores.

The 1976 campaign paved the way for another historic chapter

When analyzing the importance of that Corinthians team for the continuation of the club’s history, Zé Maria emphasized both the work of the players and the support received in the stands. The former full-back also recalled that the national campaign put Timão in the following year’s Libertadores.

“I think it showed strength not only on the field, right? The effort of our players, but the fans’ ability too. They were wonderful in Rio, they were wonderful in Rio Grande do Sul, and they gave us the honor of being able to take part, practically qualifying the team for the first American competition, right? South American, which was the Libertadores. So, thanks to Tobias, we had that opportunity.”

The following year would also become another milestone for Zé Maria. In 1977, Corinthians ended a period of almost 23 years without winning the Campeonato Paulista by beating Ponte Preta in the final. Captain of that team, the right-back took part in the play that ended with Basílio’s historic goal.

Zé Maria built a career of more than a decade at Corinthians

José Maria Rodrigues Alves played for Corinthians between 1970 and 1983 and established himself as one of the greatest right-backs in the club’s history. According to figures provided by Meu Timão, he made 598 appearances, 586 as a starter, with 284 wins, 182 draws, and 132 losses. The former player also scored 17 goals.

In addition to being part of the 1976 campaign, Zé Maria took part in emblematic moments in the following decades. The former full-back won the Campeonato Paulista in 1977, 1979, 1982, and 1983, as well as other trophies during his long spell at Parque São Jorge.

That identification also appears in his individual records. With 598 appearances, Zé Maria is listed as the fifth player with the most matches for Corinthians and the right-back with the most appearances in the club’s history.

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