Youth defender on Gustavo Henrique’s advice, dreams of Corinthians

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Central do Timão

·22 Februari 2026

Youth defender on Gustavo Henrique’s advice, dreams of Corinthians

By Henrique Vigliotti/Central do Timão Editorial Team

Corinthians thrashed América-MG 4-0 in their Brasileirão U-20 debut, with goals scored by Luizinho (twice), Lorenzo, and an own goal. After the match, center-back and youth academy gem Iago Machado spoke about his training with the professional squad and the advice he received from more experienced players.

Initially, the defender talked about the experiences with the professional team that he brings to the youth squad when he “comes down”: “The experience there is really cool, the players supported me a lot, they really welcomed me when I moved up. And I’m very happy to be able to contribute with them, to be able to train with them every day. And when I come down to the U-20s, I think a lot about what I could do there with the professionals, what they teach me there, I try to pass on to the youth team as well. It’s about willpower, focus, not letting anything shake you, and that’s it.”

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Photo: Vinicius Lucio/Central do Timão

Iago made a point to praise Gustavo Henrique and mentioned the center-back as his biggest mentor within the Corinthians professional squad: “The one who advised me the most is captain Gustavo Henrique. He gives me advice, helps me out in technical moments and with aerial balls too, since he’s very tall and he helps me with that as well.”

“Gustavo’s main trait, I think, is really the aerial ball, both in terms of goals he’s been scoring—thank God I’ve been scoring too—but especially the aerial ball itself, attacking the ball perfectly, sending it to the back of the net.”, the defender concluded.

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