The goal Corinthians can’t forget | OneFootball

According to Globo, a moment from Corinthians' past has been given renewed attention with the release of a short film documenting an acrobatic goal conceded by the team during a 1987 friendly. The film, titled “Élder dos Santos – The Story of a Memorable Goal,” centers on Élder Santos’ spectacular bicycle kick for Centro Esportivo de Passos against a star-studded Corinthians side at Starling Soares Stadium, Passos, in December 1987.

The play has stood the test of time, being regularly recalled by local fans as a rare and memorable feat against one of Brazil’s giants. Corinthians, who fielded their full-strength squad for that friendly, found themselves beaten by a strike that locals still describe as a work of art.

Élder, reflecting on the moment, noted the significance of scoring such a goal on that stage: “At the time, Corinthians had tremendous players, players of world-class level. They came with the full team. I was lucky to score that goal, which people still remember in Passos and in the region,” he recalled. The goal not only elevated Élder’s local profile but also changed the trajectory of his playing career. He received interest from established clubs, including Fluminense and Atlético Mineiro, later moving on to join Atlético for the state championship.

The documentary is the work of director Tássio Santos, who was inspired by his childhood memories of attending games with his father. Production on the film, realized after support from the Paulo Gustavo Law in 2023, spanned over a year and involved gathering interviews with fans, journalists, ex-players, and radio commentators. One of the project’s highlights is the inclusion of the original match footage, captured by Itamar Bonfim, which brings visual authenticity to the story.

The launch event was scheduled at Passos’ Casa da Cultura, with Santos emphasizing how deeply the story resonated in the community—both as a personal memory and as a symbol of the city’s connection to football history. Following the in-person debut, the film will also be presented online, aiming to introduce a broader audience to this chapter in both local and Corinthians lore.

While recent Corinthians discourse has naturally focused on present-day developments—ranging from contract negotiations to the evolving squad rotation under Dorival Júnior—this look back offers a reminder that a club’s history is marked as much by its glories as by unforgettable moments shared with the communities it encounters.

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