Hugo Souza eyes call-up, praises Diniz and Libertadores with Corinthians | OneFootball

Goalkeeper Hugo Souza is going through a period of expectation and confidence at Corinthians. In an interview with ge, the player spoke about the possibility of being called up to the Brazilian National Team, Fernando Diniz’s impact on the squad, and the club’s goals for the season, with special focus on the Copa Libertadores.

Just a few days before the World Cup squad list is announced, the No. 1 revealed that he keeps the dream alive in his daily life, including with a personal symbol that reinforces his motivation.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Corinthians Agency

“I keep working and doing my part. It was my work that got me there, so I’m going to keep working with a lot of humility, staying grounded, understanding that I need to do my best at the club. It’s about intensifying, increasing, and improving whatever I can so that, God willing, I can achieve this dream,” he said.

Hugo stressed that his path to the National Team is not down to a single skill, despite standing out for saving penalties.

“Of course I didn’t make it to the National Team just because I save penalties. It’s a ‘plus’ that maybe gives me credentials in a different way, but with all the mistakes and successes, with all the flaws and qualities, it wasn’t just penalties that got me there. It was a whole body of work, a whole process built on everything I’ve been doing at the club over the last two years I’ve been here. But if I have to go just because of that, that’s fine. I want to go.”

The goalkeeper also commented on keeping an image of the World Cup trophy as his phone wallpaper as a form of visualization.

“From the moment I understood, together with the mental work I also do, that this was a way to attract good things, to draw good energy toward what you want, my wallpaper became only National Team. And it’s going to stay that way for quite a while.”

About his play with his feet, a point that is often criticized, Hugo acknowledged the need to improve, but stressed his confidence in the work with the current coach.

“I really have made mistakes with my feet, but I’ve also made mistakes with my hands, and that doesn’t make me a bad goalkeeper. I hear comments like ‘Hugo is terrible with his feet.’ Fine, Hugo is in the Brazilian national team, so he can’t be that terrible. People sometimes forget what you do and prefer to label you based on one mistake.”

“I know I need to improve in that area. I have a coach who is going to push me in that and raise my level. I’m happy and excited to prove to myself that I’m none of what people say, that I really am good, that I really can do it. I’m sure we’re going to do very well with that.”

The goalkeeper also highlighted Fernando Diniz’s influence on the squad environment and the team’s attitude on the field.

“Diniz is a guy who lifts everyone up and earned our respect in a short time. He’s someone who demands a lot, he’ll be tough when he needs to be, but he’ll be your father, your brother, your friend when you need him. That makes all the difference.”

“He managed to flip a switch in our group so that we can always stay the same, without letting our level drop, because every game is a final. That’s what he has managed to create in us, that real feeling that every match is a final.”

During the recent period, Hugo also saw young Kauê earn more space in the team and praised his teammate’s performances.

“I was really happy with Kauê’s last game, because I truly like seeing the boys grow, everyone doing well, at a high level, because they’re going to push me up too. The day I leave an opening, they’ll go right past me. That raises my level and theirs. It’s competition, of course, but it’s healthy.”

“Kauê is crazy, but his craziness brings personality. He doesn’t care about anything. He’s going to dribble, he’s going to do whatever he has to do, and that’s good. Now, if he learns how to measure that, it’ll be even better. I think he’s been managing to do that in the best way.”

Finally, the goalkeeper named winning the Libertadores as one of Corinthians’ main goals for the season, highlighting the historic impact the title could represent.

“It’s the most important competition on our continent. It’s a dream for everyone. It’s something that really changes the level of the history you make at the club. If we made history by winning those titles, the Libertadores raises the level of that history, of our standing, puts Yuri, Memphis, and other players among the club’s great idols. It changes the level of the story. And we are fully aware that we have the ability to fight for the Libertadores.”

Corinthians return to the field this Thursday (30), at 9 p.m. (Brasília time), at Neo Química Arena, to face Peñarol in the third round of the continental competition’s group stage.

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