Corinthians hand 19-year-old Yago Melo first senior call-up for FC Cascavel friendly | OneFootball

Corinthians have named 19-year-old centre-back Yago Melo in the senior squad for the first time for Sunday’s friendly against FC Cascavel at 16:00 at Estádio Olímpico Regional in Paraná.

Three of the five first-team centre-backs are unavailable. According to ge.globo, starter Gustavo Henrique missed late-week sessions with hip flexor discomfort. João Pedro Tchoca, recently back from hernia surgery, is being rested, while 17-year-old Iago Machado is with Brazil Under-17 preparing for the World Cup.

Head coach Fernando Diniz drafted the Under-20 defender into recent training and named him in the travelling party.

Melo joined Corinthians at the start of this season after leaving Flamengo and signed through December 2029. Flamengo retained 20% of his economic rights, with Corinthians holding the remaining 80%.

He spent almost eight seasons at Flamengo and captained the Under-15 and Under-17 sides. In 2025 he made 13 appearances and scored two goals, and was listed by Filipe Luís for the final round of the 2025 Brasileirão, a 3-3 draw with Mirassol.

At Corinthians Under-20, he has earned a starting place ahead of Lorenzo, forming a partnership with Iago Machado under coach William Batista. He has played 14 times and scored two goals at that level.

Source: Meu Timao