Falcão recalls Corinthians futsal youth days, club pushed him on to pitch | OneFootball

Considered one of the greatest players in futsal history, Falcão revealed curious details about his time in Corinthians’ youth ranks and explained why he never pursued a career in outdoor soccer, despite the club’s many attempts to steer him toward the sport.

During an interview on the YouTube channel Gonze Neles, hosted by influencer Matheus Gonze, the former No. 12 said he was already seen as a standout at Parque São Jorge as a teenager. According to him, his reputation within the club was so strong that it drew the attention of fans and even athletes from other categories.

Photo: Lars Baron/Getty Images/FIFA

“Man, I spent five years in Corinthians’ youth system, I went over to the field seven times, and at 14, 15 years old, I was already a reference point at the club. So, for example, there were under-10, under-12, under-14 games, and back then the outdoor players lived underneath the stands. Corinthians’ senior team trained right there at Parque São Jorge. So if my game was at three in the afternoon, everyone would leave the pools, everyone would come out of the sun, everyone would leave and go watch me play. Corinthians’ gym would be packed to watch me play when I was 14, 15 years old,” Falcão said.

Even with the prestige he had earned in futsal, Falcão revealed that Corinthians tried several times to move him into outdoor soccer. However, he never liked the experience and would quickly return to the court.

“Then the guys would take me to the field. I’d stay there for a month and then stop going, I didn’t like it. So when I had to study, go to the butcher shop, train in the field and train futsal, when I got tired I’d cut something out and choose the field,” revealed the Brazilian futsal idol.

The former player also said he even had the chance to play in the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior for Corinthians. However, an unusual decision meant he did not take part in the competition at all.

“I went over to the field seven times. There was one Copa São Paulo de Juniores where I was going to be a starter. They allowed those who were from São Paulo to spend Christmas at home and come back. I went home and didn’t come back, I swear to God. I didn’t play in the Copinha,” he recalled.

Finally, Falcão remembered that important Corinthians directors tried to convince him that outdoor soccer was the ideal path for his career. Even so, he was never able to stick with the sport for long.

“Back then, Dualib and Pupo Gimenez would make a career plan. They’d say, ‘Your plan is here for the next five years. You have to play outdoor soccer and this and that.’ I’d answer, ‘Okay, I will.’ Then I’d go for two months and not come back,” the former player concluded.

The choice ultimately proved to be the right one, as Falcão is considered by many to be the greatest futsal player in history. Voted FIFA World Player of the Year four times (2004, 2006, 2011 and 2012), he stood out for his skill, goals, and longevity, ending his professional career in 2018 with more than 400 goals for the Brazilian National Team and two Futsal World Cup titles.

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