Corinthians academy defender shines under Dorival, values Ceará stint

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Central do Timão

·02 de novembro de 2025

Corinthians academy defender shines under Dorival, values Ceará stint

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

The defender João Pedro Tchoca, revealed in the Corinthians youth academy, is experiencing his longest streak of games at Corinthians since February, when he lost his spot in the squad after committing a penalty in the first leg of the third phase of the Libertadores against Barcelona, from Ecuador, in which the team was defeated 3-0.

In an interview with Rádio Bandeirantes, the 21-year-old defender stated that, despite this, he never stopped dedicating himself daily and commented on the streak of games he has been having with coach Dorival Júnior, hired at the end of April to replace the Argentine Ramón Díaz. For the position, Corinthians, besides him, has: André Ramalho, Gustavo Henrique, Félix Torres, and Cacá.

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

“I am very happy with this streak I have been having in the Brazilian Championship mainly, very happy with the coach's confidence, Dorival, to be in this confidence. And I believe I am evolving a lot, I have a lot to add to the group and that's it. I believe life is made of processes. Unfortunately, I had the misfortune there (penalty committed against Barcelona, from Ecuador). I was coming from a good streak. At that exact period, I had gained the starting position, but then I had to start over from scratch, being, let's say, the fifth defender.”

“At no time did I stop working. Of course, it's not easy to even be left out of the games and such, but it was a learning period for me. What I said about the process. But since then I have always been working and, with Dorival's arrival, he always gave me confidence, tranquility and told me to prepare, that at some point I would have an opportunity. And today, thank God, it has arrived,” he began.

For Corinthians' professional team, there are 25 games (22 in 2025), with 14 wins, nine draws, and three losses – almost 67% success rate. In addition, he scored one goal (a 2-1 victory over Água Santa, in Itaquera, in the third round of the Paulistão group stage, which ended with a Corinthians title over Palmeiras). After winning the 2024 Copinha against Cruzeiro, the defender was promoted to the professional squad and initially did not have many opportunities with the Portuguese Antônio Oliveira and Ramón Díaz.

Given this, he was loaned for six months to Ceará and was a starter in the final stretch of Série B – which led to the team's promotion to Série A for three years. With that, he was reintegrated into the Corinthians squad at the beginning of this season after good performances. The athlete revealed that he even had conversations with the football executive Fabinho Soldado about the loan to gain experience.

“So, I believe that going to Ceará was crucial for my career. At first, there's that doubt: will it happen, won't it? I had the opportunity to go, with Fabinho, and he left this possibility open for me. And we sat down and planned a path for what would be best for me. And I decided to go. Thank God, I was able to gain experience there and, throughout this time, Fabinho, as I have said on other occasions, always gave me support and tranquility to do my best there and come back even better. And I was able to return, have a streak at the beginning of the year, and today, being able to have a new streak. And, thank God, I am able to take advantage of the opportunity,” he continued.

Later, Tchoca commented on the importance of his position competitors in giving him confidence on the field. The defender has been leaving Félix Torres – who hasn't played since the end of August – and Cacá on the bench. He also talked about the dream of playing in Europe.

“I believe that my rise is also due to them, as since last year I have been learning a lot from everyone. I believe that the youth academy is also very important. Not just me, but several others have been able to have a streak, have minutes. Gui Negão is living proof, with a lot of work, but he has already scored five goals in the professional and has been showing that the youth academy is very strong. I believe the jersey is very heavy and we get used to living with this weight of the jersey very early. Copinha final, 38 thousand people, if I'm not mistaken, it was 30 something.”

“So, we are used from the youth academy to playing under pressure, to living this atmosphere. We end up arriving a little more prepared in the professional. So, I believe that the Crias do Terrão are fundamental for the club's rise. The dream of every kid is to one day play in Europe, and with me, it is no different. I have this dream. But, at the moment, my focus is 100% on Corinthians, really stabilizing here, really being able to earn my spot at Corinthians and, who knows, being able to win titles. And I think, at the moment, it is still early, but in the future, who knows, I leave it to the board.”

He was also asked in which tactical formations he feels 'more comfortable' playing. Since Dorival Júnior's arrival, even with the team facing many problems related to absences, the Alvinegro has been playing with a line of three defenders, four, and even five. Often, in the system of three, the midfielder Raniele drops between the defenders to start the ball out or acts as a third defender on the left.

“I feel comfortable playing in both formations, both in the line of four and the line of five. I believe the team is better defensively in the line of five, because it is much more protected. Also to play, because it has favored Bidu and Matheuzinho offensively. But in the line of four it is also good, so I leave it to the coach to decide. I just do my job.“

“I have already played in the youth academy some games as a full-back, not as a wing-back, I think I wouldn't venture as a wing-back. But, maybe, as a full-back, who knows, in an opportunity, if needed, I could be tested, yes. Since in the line of five I am a right-sided defender, who goes out more to build, and I believe that’s it. As for aerial balls, Gustavo Henrique and I are quite tall. I think it's a strong point that I have to add to the team. And I think defensively I have added good depth control, good game reading, and I think that’s it.”

Finally, João Pedro spoke about the dream of winning the Copa do Brasil. In the semifinal, Corinthians – three-time champion (1995, 2002, and 2009) – will face Cruzeiro. The first game will be on December 10, at Mineirão, and the return on the 14th, at Neo Química Arena. At the same time, the player emphasized the need to continue with a good streak of results in the Brazilian Championship, in which the team occupies the tenth position – 39 points – and comes from two consecutive wins.

“Without a doubt, the Copa do Brasil is a very important title for us, but I believe that now the focus is 100% on the Brazilian Championship and we can stay in this upper part, maybe aiming for other competitions next year. We want to finish the Brazilian Championship in the best possible position and, then, be able to think about the Copa do Brasil and win the title, God willing,” he concluded.

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