Corinthians midfielder on Paulistão award, Milan rumours | OneFootball

On the night of this Monday (9th), the awards ceremony for the best of the 2026 Campeonato Paulista took place, which ended last weekend. Corinthians, it’s worth remembering, said goodbye to the tournament in the semifinals after losing 1-0 to Novorizontino, away from home. Central do Timão was present at the event and had the chance to speak with midfielder André Luiz, 19 years old, who was named the revelation of the tournament.

In an interview with the press at the venue, the “Filho do Terrão” evaluated his performance in the Paulistão in relation to the playing rhythm set by coach Dorival Júnior: “The Paulistão was the first championship I really got to play, that I played from the start. I had plenty of opportunities and in this first championship I was already named the revelation. For me, it’s important, especially for the start of this season and for the beginning of my career as well.” he began.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

Later, he responded to speculation about a possible move to European football. In recent days, Milan made an official offer to Corinthians, offering 17 million euros (R$ 103 million) for 70% of the player’s economic rights. After negative backlash from the negotiations, the Alvinegro backed out of the talks and decided not to accept the offer. He also commented on the feeling of being named the revelation of this edition of the Paulistão. In his answer, he recalled that a year ago, he was recovering from an injury that kept him out of the 2025 Copinha.

“Regarding that, I’m very calm, my focus is 100% here at the club. Whether I like it or not, if I were to talk about it, I’d be living a dream, but here I’m also living a dream. It’s been a dream since I was a child to play for Corinthians, especially for the professional team, and all of this that I’m experiencing, I can only thank God.”

I couldn’t even imagine (being the revelation), because a year ago at this same time I was injured. I didn’t even know how things would turn out and today, a year later, having played, played well, performed well and being named the revelation of the championship, I’m extremely happy.”

Right after, he looked ahead to Corinthians’ match this Wednesday (11th), against Coritiba, at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), at Neo Química Arena, for the fifth round of the Brazilian Championship. André also analyzed the arrival of new foreign players to the Corinthians squad, such as midfielders Zakaria Labyad (Moroccan) and Jesse Lingard (English).

“I believe it’s going to be a great game, it’s been a while since we’ve played at the Arena. And to go back there, get the three points, already perform well so we can have another derby at the weekend (against Santos, at Vila Belmiro). We’re going to fight to get these six points that are up for grabs and get closer and closer to first place.”

“When the guys arrived, when they said Lingard was coming, I was really happy, a player I only played with in video games. Zakarias too, when he arrived, everyone welcomed him in the best way. He’s already talked to me, we’ve had a chat, the guys are good people, everyone is coming to add to the team,” he continued.

The young midfielder also mentioned Elias, who had two successful spells at Corinthians in the 2010s, as his main inspiration in football. In addition, the “Filho do Terrão” celebrated the affection he’s been receiving from the Corinthians fans: “I really like Elias, who played for Corinthians, and I’ve followed Pogba a lot. These two players are the ones I follow the most, the ones I like a lot. Whether I like it or not, it’s a good impression, if people have that impression, it’s because I’m doing my job well, everything is going well, and that’s it.”

The midfielder was also asked about a comment by Memphis Depay on a post by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, who specializes in the European transfer market, about his possible move to Milan. Corinthians’ number 10, in the post, praised the “Filho do Terrão” and advocated for the player to stay in Brazilian football. The youngster, who came up through the Corinthians youth system, also projected his individual performance in the 2026 Brasileirão.

“Oh, I hadn’t even seen it, I got to training and everyone was saying: ‘Did you see that? Did you hear?’ I was really happy, really happy, because Memphis, the player he is, with the stature he has, to say that about me. I can only be grateful, right? You can expect that André will give everything he has to give, the grit, the willpower will never be lacking, and I hope that goals will come in football from now on.”

The Corinthians starter was asked about the dream of wearing the Brazilian National Team shirt. He also spoke about Palmeiras’ provocations related to the song ‘deixa o chefe balançar’: “Being on the Brazilian national team is every child’s dream who plays football, right? Every child who plays football and doesn’t play for the national team dreams of playing in a World Cup, and for me it’s also a dream, and who knows, maybe an opportunity will come and we’ll go for it. I didn’t even follow, didn’t even watch the game (Palmeiras), didn’t follow, didn’t see anything.”

André Luiz gave an overview of Corinthians’ campaign in the state championship and answered about how far the team could have gone: “We could have reached the finals, it was just a detail. Unfortunately, we went out because we lost a game. But we played a very hard-fought match in terms of goals, in terms of the team. They were lucky to have a chance, scored the goal and left with the win. But I think if we had reached the final, we would have fought to be champions.”

The midfielder, who came up through the youth system at the club from Parque São Jorge, commented on his expectations for the team for the rest of the season. Corinthians still have ahead: Copa do Brasil, Conmebol Libertadores, and the Brazilian Championship: “We have the Copa do Brasil, we have the Libertadores, the Brasileirão, of course we want to go far in all three, it’s difficult, yes, but we’re going to fight. Libertadores is a dream for me and for any young player. And we’re going to fight to reach the finals, who knows, maybe I’ll win the Copa do Brasil and always fight at the top of the Brasileirão table.”

Check out other answers from André Luiz below:

Arrival of Jesse Lingard

“I was really happy when I found out he was coming. When his signing was announced, I was really happy. I didn’t see him there the first time, I couldn’t even believe it, but with his humility, he’s coming to add to the team. Zakaria too, everyone is coming to help us be strong in these three championships.”

Relationship with Dorival Júnior

“Dorival is my first coach at the professional level, a coach who helps me a lot. Day to day, not just him, but Lucas as well. Everyone on the staff. And I just want to thank him for the opportunities he’s been giving me. He’s always given me chances and I believe I’ve managed to show my best. So much so that he’s gained confidence in me. I’m very happy for him, for his work. And his work is well done, from a coach who’s won many titles. And this year he’ll win more, God willing.”

See More:

Corinthians details ticket sales for the match against Taubaté in the Women’s Under-20 Brasileirão

Corinthians supporters group threatens expulsion of members opposed to the Fiel Torcedor vote

Brazilian National Team goalkeeping coach will attend Corinthians’ match in the Brasileirão

Corinthians News

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