Meet Yago Melo, defender in Corinthians' first-team squad for first time | OneFootball

After a few weeks of training, Corinthians return to the pitch on Sunday afternoon (12) at 4 p.m. (Brasília time) at Estádio Olímpico Regional Jacy Miguel Scanagatta, in Paraná, to face Cascavel in a preparatory friendly ahead of the continuation of the Brazilian calendar — halted due to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The Black and White side has a new face for the match. Center-back Yago Melo, from the Under-20 team, has been called up for the first time for a match with Corinthians’ professional squad. It is worth noting that, for the friendly, besides the youngster, coach Fernando Diniz has only Gabriel Paulista and André Ramalho available. Gustavo Henrique is recovering from pain in the hip flexor area — according to ge.globo, João Pedro Tchoca, even though he has been training normally with the squad after recovering from inguinal hernia surgery, was rested. Iago Machado, who partners Yago at youth level, is currently training with Brazil’s Under-17 national team at Granja Comary, in Rio de Janeiro.

Photo: Rodrigo Gazzanel/Agência Corinthians

Yago Melo was signed by Corinthians after the 2026 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, on a free transfer from Flamengo. The defender wore the Rubro-Negro shirt for eight seasons, between 2017 and 2025, serving as captain of the Under-15 and Under-17 teams and being part of the Copa Rio Under-17 title-winning squads (2023 and 2024). The youngster signed a contract with the Black and White club, which kept 80% of his economic rights, until December 2029. The Rio club retained the rest.

Last year, when he was promoted to the Under-20 team, Yago ended up losing space in Flamengo’s youth setup and played only 13 matches, scoring two goals. Since arriving at Corinthians, he has found the net twice in 14 matches. The center-back earned a starting spot for Timãozinho, coached by William Batista, over the course of the season, taking the place of Lorenzo, whose contract expires at the end of August and whose future at Timão remains uncertain.

Recently, the coach of the Sons of Terrão also did not hold back in praising the 19-year-old center-back: “He’s a player who was Flamengo captain for almost the entire time he was there,left because of some issues that have more to do with what the moment was, maybe, that moment in the player’s career, and today he’s a player who helps us, helps the group. He’s a hard-working, dedicated guy. And I think Corinthians gain by having a center-back of Yago Melo’s level,” he said.

A Corinthians fan at heart, Yago Melo made a point of showing that his passion for Corinthians goes back to childhood. When he was officially announced by the club from Parque São Jorge, he posted photos from when he was still a child alongside his father watching the Black and White side’s matches from the stands of Neo Química Arena.

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