Matheus Pereira credits Marcelo Paz for Corinthians return | OneFootball

Matheus Pereira says Marcelo Paz played a major part in his return to Corinthians, with the new football executive influential amid changes on and off the pitch. Paz took the role in the final days of 2025.

According to Meu Timao, the midfielder said he believes his move back to Brazil owes a lot to Paz. He wanted to work with him at Fortaleza and, when the chance arose to reunite at his boyhood club, he did not hesitate.

Pereira joined Fortaleza in the second half of 2025 after Eibar, signing through 31 December 2027 with Paz influential in that deal. He has now arrived at Parque São Jorge on loan until the end of the current season.

To land the 27-year-old, Corinthians agreed to pay Fortaleza R$ 1.8 million in instalments and loan midfielder Ryan to Fortaleza while covering his wages. That sum can be discounted from the fixed fee to buy Pereira at the end of the loan.

This is Pereira’s second spell at Corinthians after a controversial exit in 2016. He aims to convince Dorival Júnior and push for a starting place.

Paz and Corinthians remain active in the market, close to formalising Uruguayan right-back Pedro Milans and forward Kaio César. They are also negotiating a loan for Alisson from São Paulo, and have moved for goalkeeper João Ricardo, who is recovering from surgery.

Source: Meu Timao