In football, some moves are made for money. Others, for legacy. When Matheuzinho turned down more lucrative offers to sign for Corinthians, it wasn’t a business decision—it was fate. A lifelong dream, stitched into his childhood memories, finally materialising in black and white.
But his arrival wasn’t into a team basking in glory. Despite their illustrious history, Corinthians were drowning, flirting with relegation, and in desperate need of a saviour. The early weeks were brutal. A squad in transition, struggling for identity, and Matheuzinho himself questioning his own form. Then came the shift. A moment of self-realisation, of pushing harder, training smarter, and believing more.
Enter Memphis Depay. A superstar with European pedigree, but more importantly, a winner’s mentality. Together, Matheuzinho and Memphis ignited a revolution. The chemistry was instant, the belief infectious. A team that looked doomed suddenly became unstoppable, rewriting history with the longest winning streak the league had ever seen.
Now, Corinthians have achieved what was unthinkable just months ago—they are champions. And for Matheuzinho, this isn’t just football. It’s deeper. It’s for his grandfather, for his family, for the Fiel.
Because Corinthians isn’t a club you play for. It’s a club you live for, as we discovered when we spoke with the 24-year old recently.
You had more financially lucrative offers from other clubs, yet you chose Corinthians. What was it about this club that made you say, “This is where I belong”?
It’s true that I received financially better offers, but playing for Corinthians has always been my dream. Since I was a kid, I dreamed of wearing this jersey—I felt like this was my destiny. So when the offer came, I didn’t hesitate for a second. I knew this was my chance to make my childhood dream come true. I fought against all odds and accepted the offer without thinking twice.
At Corinthians, I’m not just playing for myself. I’m playing for my grandfather, for my family, and for the love I have for this club.
What were the first few weeks like when you arrived, especially with the club fighting to avoid relegation?
The first few weeks were really tough. Besides adapting to the club and its playing style, Corinthians was going through a squad rebuild. That meant a lot of us were still trying to find our rhythm, understand the tactics, and build chemistry with each other.
At first, I was disappointed with my performances. I knew I could give much more, but things just weren’t clicking. It was a moment of deep reflection—I had to shift my mentality and realise that I needed to work even harder to turn things around. From that point on, I focused on improving every single day, in every training session and every match.
You joined a team that was in serious danger of relegation, and now you’re on the brink of winning the championship. What do you think was the turning point?
The real turning point came when we realised that changing our situation was completely in our own hands. We knew how much quality we had, but we needed to fully believe in it.
From then on, we pushed ourselves to the highest level, game after game, and with that mentality, everything changed. We started playing with more confidence, more intensity, and the results started coming naturally.
Your partnership with Memphis Depay has been a game-changer. How did the two of you develop such great chemistry on and off the pitch?
Memphis is a huge player and an incredible person. From the moment he arrived at Corinthians, I knew I could learn so much from him.
He’s played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, represented the Dutch national team at the highest level, and has a true winner’s mindset.
Watching him every day, observing his training habits, his attitude, and his vision of the game helped elevate my own mentality and performance. Learning from him has been incredibly valuable—not just for me but for the entire team.
The team went on the longest winning streak in Brazilian Championship history. What role did team mentality and leadership play in achieving that?
The key was understanding that if we put 100 percent of our quality on the pitch, everything would fall into place. But that required a lot of hard work, resilience, and humility.
We knew how tough it would be to compete in three tournaments at the same time, so we had to set priorities and focus on what mattered most at each stage. That mindset was crucial to our incredible run at the end of last year.
Corinthians’ fanbase is known for its undying passion, especially the Gaviões da Fiel. How does it feel to have that level of support behind you?
The support from the Fiel is absolutely crucial for us. The passion of the Gaviões da Fiel and all Corinthians fans turns our home into a real fortress.
I’ve played in many stadiums across the Americas, but I’ve never seen a fanbase like this. Even in difficult moments, they never stop singing. That energy fuels us—it transforms us when we step onto the pitch. We play for our goals, but we also play for them.
"Playing for Corinthians has always been my dream. Since I was a kid, I dreamed of wearing this jersey—I felt like this was my destiny. At Corinthians, I’m not just playing for myself. I’m playing for my grandfather, for my family, and for the love I have for this club.”
Neo Química Arena is famous for its intimidating atmosphere. Do you remember the first time you stepped onto that pitch as a Corinthians player? What was that like?
I remember it like it was yesterday. A packed stadium, the fans singing non-stop from start to finish. The energy was surreal.
That moment made me want to fight even harder for this club. There’s no better feeling for a footballer than playing for a crowd like this. The connection between the team and the fans is something truly special.
You’ve said you see yourself as a representative of the supporters. What does that mean to you on a personal level?
Knowing that the fans see me as one of their own on the pitch is incredible. It shows that I’m representing Corinthians the right way—with passion, dedication, and total commitment.
Corinthians fans are demanding, and that’s because they love the club so much. So when I feel that they identify with me, that they believe I’m giving my all for the badge, it’s a feeling like no other.
Memphis Depay is a global star, yet he seems to have fully embraced Corinthians and Brazilian football. What’s his impact been like for the team?
It’s amazing to see a top European player like him genuinely enjoying life in Brazil and embracing our culture. That sends a message to the world about how special our way of living football truly is.
His arrival was one of the biggest moments in Brazilian football in recent years. He gave our team more status, raised our overall quality, and made a huge impact on and off the pitch.
How has your friendship with him influenced your game? Do you think you push each other to be better?
Memphis didn’t just elevate my game—he raised the level of the entire squad. We knew that if we wanted to keep up with him, we had to push ourselves even harder.
That drive to match his intensity helped our team grow, gain more respect, and ultimately become a much stronger side.
Have you introduced Memphis to any Brazilian traditions or experiences that he’s really enjoyed?
We introduced him to our culture, especially the music—pagode, funk, forró… He loves it, haha! At this point, Memphis is Brazilian. Actually, Memphis is very much Corinthians!
From near relegation to title contenders—what’s next for Corinthians?
I truly believe that 2025 will be a game-changing year for Corinthians. We are one of the biggest clubs in Brazil, but in recent years, we struggled to take centre stage. Now, with this squad, we have everything we need to change that.
Our goal is to bring Corinthians back to where it belongs—fighting for titles and being one of the most feared teams in Brazil and South America.
Do you see yourself staying at Corinthians long-term, or do you have dreams of playing in Europe someday?
Right now, I’m living my dream. But this dream isn’t just mine—it’s my late grandfather’s dream, the man who passed his love for Corinthians down to me. It’s my family’s dream.
I’ve won many titles in my career, but lifting a trophy with Corinthians would mean more than anything else. This club isn’t just another stop in my career—it’s a defining chapter in my life.
I see myself staying here for a long time, winning more titles, and leaving my mark on this club’s history. If one day an opportunity in Europe comes up, it will be a natural step, but for now, my full focus is on Corinthians.
What message do you have for the Corinthians fans who have supported you from day one?
Fiel, you are different. You are one of a kind.
The strength of Corinthians comes from the stands. From our history of struggle, from our unconditional love, from the way we shout louder than anyone else.
Since the first day I put on this jersey, I’ve felt your support. You are part of this dream. We are never alone. Thank you for everything!
Matheuzinho wears the adidas F50, which you can shop at prodirectsport.com/soccer
