On form with the Under-20s, Luiz Fernando eyes Corinthians spot | OneFootball

Luiz Fernando’s season has confirmed the forward as one of the standout names in Corinthians’ youth academy. At 19, the Under-20 team’s No. 9 leads the squad’s scoring charts in 2026, with 17 goals, in addition to eight assists in 31 matches. His strong performances have also brought him closer to the first team, where he has already taken part in training sessions under Fernando Diniz.

The moment he is living at Parque São Jorge is the result of a journey that began in childhood. In an interview with Lance!, Luizinho, as he is known, said his first contact with the ball came in the streets, alongside his twin brother, before joining football schools.

Photo: Rodrigo Gazzanel / Agência Corinthians

“It all started barefoot in the street, always playing with my twin brother, one dribbling past the other, and in the little teams we made with two small goals my father built for my friends on the street. Then we would go down to Campo do Leme, where there was a city-run football school, and from there my father took us to Cats, a club in the city of Taboão da Serra. What I remember most is that I played and had fun without responsibility. Today I still have fun, but with a lot of responsibility (laughs).”

After drawing attention at Red Bull Brasil, the striker impressed during a trial period and joined Corinthians at the age of 12. Since then, he has gone through every level of the club’s youth setup until establishing himself as one of the Under-20 team’s standout players.

Looking back on that moment, Luiz Fernando said that wearing the shirt of the club he supports was one of the greatest emotions of his life, and he made sure to share the credit for his good form with the rest of the squad.

“I think it was one of the greatest emotions and joys I’ve had in my life, representing the team I support. Thank God, up to now, the numbers are good, but without my teammates, none of this would have happened. We always have it in our minds to help the team with goals, and all of this is also thanks to my teammates and the coaching staff.”

The numbers reinforce the striker’s development. Combining his time with the Under-17 and Under-20 teams, Luiz Fernando has recorded 148 matches, 48 goals and 20 assists for Corinthians. As he is still within the age limit for the category, he will be able to play one more season at Under-20 level.

Even so, his main goal is already clear: to earn a permanent opportunity with the senior squad. In recent months, Luizinho has once again taken part in activities with the first team and highlighted that daily contact with more experienced players has served as fuel to keep improving.

“That really gives me a lot of motivation, sometimes being close to them, working and dreaming of playing with them. The intensity he (Fernando Diniz) brings to training, always focusing on game situations, is something that stands out. So far, I haven’t had a direct conversation with him, but I’m sure that one day I’ll be able to listen to him and learn everything he has that can help me. As I said, training with the professional squad sometimes gives me a lot of motivation. I’ve been working hard to have that opportunity one day, and I need to stay focused and keep working, because things happen at the right time.”

This is not the first time the striker has been closely watched by the professionals. In 2024, he trained with the squad led by Ramón Díaz, was later reintegrated into activities under Dorival Júnior and, in November 2025, was even included in the matchday squad for a Brazilian Championship fixture. His official debut, however, has not happened yet.

His good performances have also attracted interest from abroad. With a contract running until December 2027, Luiz Fernando has come onto the radar of European clubs, a situation that led Corinthians to open talks to extend his deal. Despite that, the player assured that he remains focused exclusively on the club.

“I’m very calm about that, these are football matters, but I’m more concerned with playing football, and I leave those things for my older brother and my parents to handle. I’m very happy, it always increases my motivation, because it’s recognition for the work I’ve been doing, but I’m focused here at Corinthians.”

When speaking about the next steps in his career, the striker put Corinthians at the center of his goals before thinking about new challenges.

“Corinthians means everything in my life; it was the club that gave me opportunities I never imagined. The future belongs to God, but I see myself playing for Corinthians’ first team. My focus is on the club that opened its doors to me and on things going well here. The next step is to dream of Europe and, God willing, the Brazilian national team.”

Despite being a key player in the youth ranks, Luiz Fernando has not yet received call-ups to Brazil’s youth national teams. While he waits for new opportunities, the striker remains one of Timãozinho’s main attacking hopes and will have the chance to add to his numbers next Saturday (1st), when Corinthians face União Suzano at 3 p.m. in the Paulista Under-20 Championship.

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