Felipe Longo’s dad on his rise at Corinthians before debut

In partnership with

Central do Timão

·15 ottobre 2025

Felipe Longo’s dad on his rise at Corinthians before debut

By Henrique Pereira / Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the night of this Wednesday, October 15, Corinthians head to Vila Belmiro to face Santos at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), in a match valid for the 28th round of the Brazilian Championship. The Alvinegro Derby will have special meaning for the young goalkeeper Felipe Longo, who is expected to make his debut for Timão’s professional team.

Now 20 years old, the keeper has worn the Alvinegro Paulista shirt since he was eight, going through all the club’s youth categories. The son and grandson of Corinthians members, Felipe Longo was born and raised in Tatuapé, a neighborhood next to Parque São Jorge, where he still lives. From a young age, he got used to frequenting both the club’s social headquarters and the stands at Pacaembu and, later, Neo Química Arena.

OneFootball Video

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Ag. Corinthians

“He’s been waiting 12 years for this chance. I believe he’s more than prepared, right? Let’s hope this is the start of a great story”, said Ronaldo Fernandes, the player’s father, in an interview with ge.globo.

Felipe Longo joined Corinthians after standing out at a Chute Inicial school franchised by the club. At the start of his football journey, he alternated between field and futsal, until he dedicated himself solely to the pitch at 14.

Due to the quality he showed with the ball at his feet and also because of his height (1.90 m), the player received invitations to leave the goalkeeper position and play in other roles, but chose to remain defending the Corinthians goal.

“He was always big, strong, and finished well, so many coaches wanted him to play up front. But his thing was always the goal. In futsal, they wanted to put him as a pivot, up top, and there were moments when he even wanted to quit. Until they took a chance and let him stay as a goalkeeper”, revealed the player’s father.

During his youth career, he won several titles with Corinthians, with the 2024 Copinha being the most important of them. His standout performances took him to the youth national teams, and the goalkeeper was even called up for the U-20 World Cup last September, but Timão requested his stay, aware that they could be without the starter Hugo Souza.

“He wanted to play for the National Team, who doesn’t? But he took it well, showed maturity to understand his position at the club today”, commented the athlete’s father.

Now, Felipe Longo will have his first opportunity with Corinthians’ professional team. The team is seeking a win in the Alvinegro Derby to climb the table and place themselves among the teams fighting for a spot in the 2026 Copa Libertadores. Currently 12th with 33 points in 27 matches, Timão can jump to 10th and close in on the teams above them.

See more: