Corinthians hit with new R$2.5m lawsuit from ex-player | OneFootball

According to reports from UOL and ge, Jonathan Cafu has filed a labor lawsuit against Corinthians, demanding approximately R$2.5 million in unpaid employment-related obligations. The action comes as the club navigates persistent financial instability, with outstanding debts to former and current players reportedly reaching R$63 million as of February 2025.

Cafu, currently at Botafogo-SP, claims Corinthians failed to make mandatory FGTS (Brazilian government wage fund) deposits for the duration of his contract, which ran from 2020 to 2023. Despite being on the club's books during this period, Cafu’s on-field involvement was minimal; he featured in just three matches and played 103 minutes in total, failing to score and spending the bulk of his contract out on loan at Cuiabá.

A court date to deliberate the dispute has been set for 24 September 2025. At that hearing, both parties are expected to present evidence concerning the amounts owed.

This latest legal demand comes amid a spate of similar actions involving Corinthians and other high-profile past and present players. The club is managing a host of claims from names such as Gil, Renato Augusto, and Giuliano—underlining a systemic issue with overdue payments at the São Paulo side.

Corinthians’ complex debt situation continues to spill over into public view, with financial pressures also affecting recent stars, including run-ins over salaries and bonuses for Memphis Depay as detailed in multiple recent reports.

For Jonathan Cafu, whose time with Corinthians was marked by limited opportunities on the pitch, the current claim reflects broader challenges facing professional footballers when contracts are left unresolved. Legal proceedings such as these act as reminders of the sizable gap between headline wages and actual payments in some corners of the Brazilian game.

Sources: UOL, ge

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