Corinthians full-back tops Libertadores metric among defenders | OneFootball

On the night of last Wednesday (9), Corinthians faced Argentina’s Estudiantes at Jorge Luís Hirschi Stadium, in La Plata, in the first leg of the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores quarterfinals, and came away with a 1-1 draw. Corinthians’ goal was scored by forward Kaio César early in the second half after a pass from midfielder Rodrigo Garro.

One of Timão’s standout performers in the match was right-back Matheuzinho. According to R10 Score, a sports statistics app, the number 2 shirt is the defender with the most tackles in the Conmebol Libertadores. His consistency since arriving at Corinthians at the start of 2024 earned him a call-up for three Brazil national team friendlies between late September and early October.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

According to Sofascore, against the Argentine side he posted the following numbers: 12 defensive contributions, 2/5 successful tackles, seven clearances, three ball recoveries, 6/8 ground duels won, 1/3 aerial duels won, one foul suffered, 66 touches, 3/3 accurate long balls, and 33/38 accurate passes. His rating in the app was 7.1. So far this season, Matheuzinho has one goal and four assists.

With Matheuzinho available to the coaching staff, Corinthians are already preparing to return to the pitch this weekend. On Sunday afternoon (13), at 5:30 pm (Brasília time), Alvinegro will visit Flamengo at the Maracanã Stadium in a match valid for the 27th round of the 2026 Brazilian Championship. At the moment, Timão sit only in 12th place with 32 points — eight wins, eight draws, and 10 defeats — with 27 goals scored and 27 conceded.

After facing the Rio club, Corinthians will turn their attention back to the Conmebol Libertadores. Next Wednesday (16), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), the club from Parque São Jorge will host Estudiantes-ARG in the second leg of the Conmebol Libertadores quarterfinals. In the event of another draw, qualification will be decided on penalties.

Matheuzinho’s journey at Corinthians

Signed at the start of 2024 after coming through Londrina’s youth ranks and building a successful career at Flamengo, Matheuzinho established himself as a starter for Alvinegro midway through his first season with Timão, under Argentine coach Ramón Díaz, pushing Fagner — one of the symbols of the team’s success over the last decade — to the bench. His debut came in February of that year, in a 2-2 draw against Palmeiras at Arena Barueri, in the first phase of the Campeonato Paulista.

The number 2 shirt played an important role in the team’s surge in the 2024 Brasileirão (from the relegation zone to the Libertadores qualifying stage — seventh place with 56 points), and was also a starter in the title wins in the Campeonato Paulista (2025), Copa do Brasil (2025), and Supercopa do Brasil (2026), against Palmeiras, Vasco da Gama, and Flamengo, respectively. Overall, he has recorded 65 wins, 43 draws, and 46 defeats — a 51.5% points rate — while representing Corinthians on the pitch, with six goals and 12 assists in that span.

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