Defender on Corinthians’ Paulistão, talks best goal award | OneFootball

The São Paulo Football Federation (FPF) held the awards ceremony for the best of the 2026 edition of the Campeonato Paulista on Monday night (9). Corinthians bid farewell to the tournament in the semifinals, as they were eliminated by Novorizontino, 1-0, away from home, on February 28. Central do Timão was present at the event.

During the awards, defender André Ramalho, 34, gave an interview to the press at the venue and evaluated his individual performance in the state championship. The number 5 also analyzed the team's campaign in the state championship, stating that the performance throughout the tournament served as a learning experience for the team to analyze and improve their mistakes for the rest of the season.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

“Well, I see it in a positive way. Since you're talking about the individual aspect, I think, if I'm not mistaken, I played seven matches. We conceded only three goals. I think it obviously shows that I had my share of contribution. But, obviously, along with the team, I see it in a positive way. I think that since the beginning of the year, I've been consistent, playing well. I'm happy to always be helping the team, giving my best. I'm sure I will always do that, giving my best for the team.”

“But, in the end, what matters is the collective aspect. And unfortunately, we didn't achieve our main goal, which was to reach the final, to be champions again. But it serves as a learning experience for us, so we can correct our mistakes, see what needs to be improved so that we can evolve in the other competitions throughout the year,” he began.

He then talked about winning the award for the most beautiful goal of the Campeonato Paulista. In the 3-0 victory over Ponte Preta in the first round, the defender, towards the end of the match, shot from the midfield and scored a stunning goal near the opponent's goalkeeper's angle. He also highlighted the feeling of representing the Alvinegro at the awards and answered whether it was the most beautiful goal of his career.

“Ah, it was a very beautiful goal. So, we think we might eventually win. But since it's in the first game, it's very difficult to maintain that until the end of the championship. Especially with so many quality players we have in the championship. And you always imagine they might score a more beautiful goal. But I'm happy. I'm happy to have, first and foremost, contributed to the victory that day, not conceding a goal in that game and in other games. But to be happy to be awarded with such a goal. Especially because it's an award that usually goes to forwards, midfielders. But I'm happy to be representing Corinthians here. Corinthians must always be represented in these types of awards.”

“It's a bit of judgment, of opinion (whether it was the most beautiful or not). I always have about two goals that I would consider. There was one where I shot, it hit both posts and went in. Then there was another one I already mentioned to you, which wasn't in an official match. But I consider it one of the most beautiful I've ever scored, which was against Manuel Neuer, in a pre-season tournament. He was at his peak there. So, I'm happy to have scored those goals. It's hard to judge which is more beautiful or not. But, anyway, I'm someone who, sometimes, when I'm close to the goal, I always try to take these kinds of shots. I'm happy to have hit and scored another beautiful goal.”

Next, Ramalho commented on the start of Corinthians' season. In 15 games so far, there have been seven wins, four draws, and four losses. During this period, even with the fall in the semifinals of the Paulistão, the club from Parque São Jorge won the Brazilian Supercup by defeating Flamengo in Brasília, 2-0, at the beginning of February. The defender was also questioned about his individual performances in recent months.

“The year 2026, obviously, started very positively. Scoring goals, playing well, not conceding goals. There are many factors that determine our individual performance. And the collective has a direct influence. And I believe that the more consistent a team is, the better it is for the athlete individually. It's easier. So I believe that since last year, I've been evolving, playing well, helping the team. This was very evident in the Copa do Brasil. When we won the Copa do Brasil, I was able to participate in nine of the 10 games, being one of the least conceded defenses in history. So I'm happy to be contributing.”

“And I will always give my best, looking to evolve, looking to be the best I can be. Those who know me know that I will never be satisfied. Regardless of whether they are speaking well or badly of me, I will always be looking to give my best, always looking to evolve. Because Corinthians is like that. Whoever plays here must always be looking to give their best, to evolve. And that's what I will always do, because I think it's not just for me. It's for the team, for the Corinthians institution, for the fans. And I will always be working to grow more and more and give my best on the field.”, he continued.

Shortly after, he responded to the provocations made by Palmeiras after the rival won the state title last Sunday (8). Last year, the club from Parque São Jorge faced their biggest rival seven times, losing only one of them, besides winning three times and drawing three other matches. During this period, the Alvinegro won the Paulistão against the Alviverde team and eliminated them in the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil, with an aggregate score of 3-0.

“The provocations, we also provoke sometimes. It's like that, I think it's something that is part of the game. It shows that they are looking at us, seeing the things we are doing. Maybe they want to be a bit like us. But, anyway, provocation is part of football. We know how to deal with it, we have to know how to deal with it, because sometimes you are provoked, other times you provoke. So, this is part of football and it's what makes football enjoyable for everyone. Both for us as athletes and for the fans. I believe these provocations exist among the fans. In a healthy way, always.”

“But this is part of football and it's all right. Are they still upset about last year? Probably, right? Last year I think our superiority in the matches against them was clear. And we obviously want to repeat that this year. That we can continue in the confrontations against them, having good results, because we know the importance of these games for us, obviously, but for the fans. And we will always give our best so that we can win against them. Corinthians must always be well represented on the field. The truth is that a game against Palmeiras dispenses any kind of provocation, any kind of problem.”

André Ramalho also added: “The game itself is enough to motivate us to win against them. We will prepare, but, of course, you know very well that we always say we have to look at one game at a time. The most important game is always the next one. And we have to focus now, at this moment, on Coritiba. And then, at the right time, we will focus our attention on the game against Palmeiras so that we can beat them.“

André Ramalho was signed by Corinthians in mid-2024, after not renewing his contract with PSV, from the Netherlands. The number 5 quickly became a starter for the team and was part of the Alvinegro's recovery campaign in the Brasileirão that year (from the relegation zone to the 2025 Libertadores qualifiers). Last season and the beginning of this one, he started being used off the bench and was part of the squad that won the Paulistão, Copa do Brasil, and Brazilian Supercup, against Palmeiras, Vasco da Gama, and Flamengo, respectively.

In total, he has played 83 matches for Corinthians (73 as a starter), with 38 wins, 24 draws, and 21 losses – a 55.42% success rate. Additionally, he has scored two goals and provided one assist. It's worth noting that the Alvinegro returns to the field this Wednesday (11), at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), against Coritiba, at the Neo Química Arena, for the fifth round of the Brasileirão.

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