1990 Brazilian champion recalls Mascherano episode at Corinthians in 2005

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·31 ottobre 2025

1990 Brazilian champion recalls Mascherano episode at Corinthians in 2005

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

Brazilian Champion in 1990 with Corinthians, Márcio Bittencourt was the coach of the Alvinegro for part of the campaign that led to the national title in 2005, and he revealed a behind-the-scenes story with former midfielder Javier Mascherano that year. In the goalless draw with Internacional at Estádio Beira-Rio, during that year's national tournament, the Argentine was substituted due to ankle pain, and Márcio was apprehensive about the player's possible reaction.

“We went to play in Porto Alegre and I noticed that Mascherano was limping, so I took him off. I turned to my assistant and said: ‘Hold Mascherano because he’s going to want to kill me.’ He walked past me fuming and didn’t want to talk to me. Later, he apologized and admitted he was injured,” he said in an interview with the program Resenha ESPN.

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Márcio Bittencourt led Corinthians in 2005 from May to September, being dismissed after a 3-1 away victory against Flamengo. At the time, he was replaced by Antônio Lopes. Under his command, the Alvinegro had 17 wins, six draws, and seven losses, with a success rate above 60% – 64 goals scored and 43 conceded.

As a player wearing the Corinthians shirt, he played 273 matches (243 as a starter), with 119 wins, 97 draws, and 57 losses – a 55.4% success rate, between March 1985 and August 1993. In addition, he won four titles: Campeonato Brasileiro (1990), Supercopa do Brasil (1991), Campeonato Paulista (1988), and Torneio de Verão (1987).

Former midfielder Mascherano played 25 matches for Corinthians between July 2005 and August 2006. At the time, he was signed from River Plate, Argentina, for 15 million dollars, with the help of MSI, a fund that invested in the club and brought in high-profile players such as Carlitos Tévez and Nilmar.

In total, there were 11 wins, four draws, and 11 losses. Despite high expectations, the current Inter Miami (United States) coach had injury problems and left the club in mid-2006 for West Ham, England.

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