Corinthians is gearing up for another shot at glory as they kick off their campaign at the 2025 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, commonly known as Copinha. The tournament, renowned for showcasing the best youth talent across Brazil, is significant for the club, which boasts 11 titles—more than any other team. The Timão opens its Copinha S2025 schedule on January 4 against Garin-RO at the Estádio Bruno José Daniel, seeking to continue their dominance.
Under the guidance of head coach Orlando Ribeiro, the focus this year is on adopting a more possession-based approach rather than quick transitions, indicating the club's intent to build through their gameplay. Ribeiro emphasized this strategic shift during practice sessions, saying, “We are not going to opt for transitional play; we want to build the game more consciously, with possession.”
The team's preparation included making significant changes to the roster due to player promotions to the professional ranks and transfers out of the club. Claudinei Alves, the director of the youth categories, explained the necessity of these adjustments, noting, “It was required to seek partnerships since we did not have the budget for signings.” This restructuring resulted from the success of their previous season, which saw many young players move up to senior professional teams.
One key figure for the team is goalkeeper Kauê Camargo, aged 20, who is seen as both the last line of defense and mentor for the younger players. Having previously played at Copinha, his experience will be invaluable as he shares insights with first-timers. Kauê mentioned, “I try to pass on as much as possible to the younger boys; it's their first Copinha, and they need to understand what playing at Corinthians means.”
Corinthians is also fielding several young prospects poised to make their mark, like Denner, Luiz Gustavo Bahia, and Gui Negão. These players, with skills honed through rigorous training, are expected to be pivotal during the tournament. Ribeiro is optimistic about the team's offensive capabilities, stating, “Our boys from the under-17 team are very sharp; we need to find balance throughout the competition.”
With 24 of the 30 players set to debut at this year’s Copinha, Corinthians approaches this chapter with both anticipation and pressure. The significance of the tournament goes beyond immediate results; it serves as a platform for these young talents to showcase their abilities and potentially earn spots on the first team moving forward.
The stakes are high not just for the title but also for the future of the club's talent pipeline. Both Ribeiro and Alves agree on the importance of integrating youth players effectively to the professional side without compromising their development. Alves stated, “The list of athletes is constructed thoughtfully, aiming for longevity, but we cannot ignore our professional team's needs.”
Corinthians’ Copinha campaign will begin just as the professional Paulistão league gets underway, creating added complexity for the club's management as they juggle player availability for both fronts. The young players will need to rise to the occasion, balancing the excitement of competing on such a prestigious stage with the realities of intense scrutiny.
Reflecting on the team's ambitions, the aim is not just to add another trophy to their illustrious cabinet but to instill resilience and develop future stars capable of stepping up when called upon by the professional team. This dual focus on title aspirations and training long-term talent exemplifies the Corinthians’ holistic approach to youth soccer. The heavy expectations will surely weigh on the young shoulders of these players as they step out onto the pitch, but with strong support from experienced teammates like Kauê, they just might rise to the challenge.
Following their opener against Gazin-RO, Corinthians will face Rio Branco-AC and Santo André, all within Group 27 of the tournament. Each match will be closely watched, as they seek to cement their legacy within Brazilian youth football.