Corinthians rival idol backs Hugo Souza’s display for Brazil 🇧🇷

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Central do Timão

·15 de octubre de 2025

Corinthians rival idol backs Hugo Souza’s display for Brazil 🇧🇷

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the morning of last Tuesday, October 14, the Brazilian National Team faced Japan at the National Stadium in Tokyo in a friendly match preparing for the 2026 World Cup and ended up being defeated 3-2, after a comeback. The match marked the debut of goalkeeper Hugo Souza from Corinthians as the starting goalkeeper for the Brazilian team.

After the match, Corinthians' number 1 faced various criticisms and questions about the third goal conceded by Brazil. However, former goalkeeper Marcos, one of the greatest in the history of Palmeiras – Corinthians' arch-rival – defended his fellow goalkeeper: “I see people commenting on Hugo Souza's debut with the Brazilian national team jersey. Let me tell you: the national team is a tough gig, it's difficult for goalkeepers. Even if you have experience here, you could be the star of your team, have 300 games in the Paulista, 500 in the Brasileiro, but in the national team, you arrive as a rookie. We have no experience playing with those guys from abroad”, he began.

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Photo: Rafael Ribeiro/ CBF

He continued by stating that the Corinthians goalkeeper did not fail in the play involving the header from the Japanese player: “I don't even think the goal was Hugo's fault. I think it was very close. It could have been a miracle save if he had managed to stop the ball. And maybe the wrong decision was not coming out, because he is big. I'm sure if he were at Corinthians, he would have come out because he has much more confidence there. But in the national team, it's a debut,” he continued.

Later, he added: “We worry about not making mistakes, anxious, afraid of making mistakes, and that's what happens. That was the experience I had in the national team. So, I think you can't burn a player for one game, for a debut. In the National Team, you need at least five games to start getting used to the responsibility of wearing the jersey. So, let's move forward.”

“I would say the same if it were Weverton, Brazão, Rafael, just as I'm talking about Hugo. I think only with continuity can you demonstrate your work. So, judging someone for a debut is very unfair. At least that's what I would like to be done with me if I were debuting for the Brazilian National Team today. So, life goes on, let's hope he gets other opportunities to show his work,” he concluded.

Hugo Souza has been crucial since his arrival at Corinthians in July 2024, being one of the team's leaders in their surge in the last Brasileirão – moving from the relegation zone to securing a spot in the preliminary phase of the 2025 Conmebol Libertadores – seventh place with 56 points.

In 2025, he was decisive in his only achievement with the Corinthians jersey so far: the Paulista Championship, against Palmeiras, in Itaquera. In the return match, the Alvinegro defended a 1-0 advantage built in the first leg, and the number 1 saved a penalty from midfielder Raphael Veiga in stoppage time, practically sealing Corinthians' title and ending a six-year title drought.

In total, he has played 82 matches for Corinthians – all as a starter – with 41 wins, 22 draws, and 19 losses – nearly 60% success rate.

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