André on his rise at Corinthians, Copinha injury and Maracanã debut

In partnership with

Central do Timão

·17 février 2026

André on his rise at Corinthians, Copinha injury and Maracanã debut

By Henrique Viglioti and Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

The midfielder André Luiz, 19, has been the great sensation of Corinthians in recent months, mainly due to his personality on the field despite being so young, something already mentioned by coach Dorival Júnior in press conferences. The midfielder gave an exclusive interview to Central do Timão in recent weeks and recalled his journey through the club's youth categories.

He arrived at Parque São Jorge at the age of 11, initially playing as a full-back. In the youth categories, one of his most notable titles was the 2023 U-17 Paulista Championship, against São Paulo, in the final held at Alfredo Schürig Stadium, Fazendinha. In that squad were players like Dieguinho, Gui Negão, and Luiz Gustavo Bahia, all now integrated into the main team.

Vidéos OneFootball

Photo: Miguel Schincariol/Getty Images

“I arrived (at Corinthians) at 11 years old, and I came as a full-back, right? I was playing in various positions, like midfielder, winger. But from the U-17 onwards, I settled in the midfield, I have played as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder. As I said, from 17 onwards always rotating in the midfield”, he began. He even joked about the chance of playing as a forward in the professional team: “If needed, I'm here, right? Ready for anything.”

Later, he commented on the knee injury he had at the end of 2024, which made him miss the list for the 2025 São Paulo Junior Football Cup, assembled by the then Timãozinho coach, Orlando Ribeiro. The injury caused the young player to return to action only in mid-2025, a few months before being integrated into the main team.

In his response, he mentioned the importance of his family, also emphasizing the mental aspect and the daily work with the club's professionals: “I believe that by strengthening myself a lot, I managed to get closer and closer, staying closer to my family, my friends, everyone there day by day, strengthening. Always taking care of my mental health too, because it was a very difficult phase. And strengthening the club's staff in the youth categories, who worked very well, everyone giving a lot of attention.”

He then recalled his professional debut. His first match in the senior team took place in mid-September, in Corinthians' 1-0 victory over Fluminense, at Maracanã, at the start of the second round of the last Brasileirão. In his speech, he mentioned the nervousness after a conversation with coach Dorival Júnior that he would enter the match.

“For me, it was a dream come true. Debuting there at Maracanã, which is one of the biggest stadiums, a World Cup stadium, right? It was packed, and when Dorival called me, first there was that above-average nervousness, and then, calmness. Calmness is everything. I talked to God, to guide me. I thanked God for the opportunity I was having, a childhood dream”, he said.

André's Journey So Far in Corinthians' Professional Team

André was promoted to the professional squad of Corinthians in mid-September 2025, after being observed by coach Dorival Júnior. The Son of Terrão had been standing out in the U-20, which at the time had just recovered from a knee injury – causing him to miss the 2025 São Paulo Junior Football Cup. So far, he has scored four goals in 20 matches in the senior team.

His promotion happened amid Corinthians' various financial difficulties, which had a sanction in place by FIFA due to a million-dollar debt with Santos Laguna, from Mexico, for the signing of Félix Torres, in January 2024. In light of this, André Luiz became a 'homegrown reinforcement' and, since then, has been fundamental in the professional squad's setup, playing as a central midfielder, constantly reaching the area and with good physical vigor, improving his tackling ability.

Since being promoted, he participated in the 2025 Copa do Brasil victory, against Vasco da Gama, at Maracanã, and the 2026 Supercopa do Brasil, against Flamengo, at Mané Garrincha Stadium, in Brasília.

See More: