Defender born in 2009 becomes vice-top scorer for Corinthians' Under-20s in 2026
- By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial
On the afternoon of this Friday (5), Corinthians visited Mirassol, at the Manoel Francisco Ferreira Stadium, for the first round of the classification phase of the 2026 Paulista Under-20 Championship, and won by the score of 1 x 0. With the victory in their debut, Timãozinho leaves the competition in sixth place in Group 1 of the state tournament. The top ten and the two best 11th placed teams advance to the round of 16.
Alvinegro's goal was scored by defender Iago Machado, who took to the net for the third time this year and became Filhos do Terrão's second top scorer this season. In this regard, he is second only to striker Luiz Fernando 'Luizinho' - nine goals in 19 matches. The goal that gave Timão the victory came in the 28th minute of the final stage, when midfielder Gui Amorim took a corner from the left towards the second stick, defender Lorenzo headed into the small area and the young man born in 2009 finished firmly to score.
Photo: Rapha Marques/Agência Corinthians
Behind Iago Machado, there are: Lorenzo, Luiz Gustavo Bahia and Luiz Fábio 'Favela', with two goals scored each. Finally, they have a goal: Cauã Ribeiro, Gui Amorim, Joãozinho, Gustavo Corrêa, Joãozinho, Christian, Nicollas and Guilherme Pires. At 17 years old and with a contract valid until April 2028, Iago Machado is considered one of the main promises of Corinthians' youth categories.
In fact, he has already been linked to main team games with Dorival Júnior and Fernando Diniz. The professionals have the following options for the sector at the moment: Gustavo Henrique, Gabriel Paulista, André Ramalho and João Pedro Tchoca - the latter has not worked since mid-March and is recovering from an inguinal hernia injury.
On the social networks of the official profile of the Corinthians base, Filhos do Terrão, the defender celebrated the victory in the debut of the state and projected the sequence of the season: "Very important victory away from home, three more points. We remain firm in the competition, it's just the beginning, we debuted on the right foot. The difficult team of Mirassol, debut away from home and just thank God for the goal. Let's remain firm, together, so that on Wednesday, for the Brazilian Championship, we can make a excellent match against Avaí."
In the second half of 2025, Iago Machado signed a contractual amendment with Corinthians, that is, an increase in the termination fines of his contract, after the Kauê Furquim case (2009), in which Bahia paid the national fine and kept the athlete who, at the time, was being used by Dorival Júnior in training for the professional squad. Last year, too, he was top scorer in the Under-17 category with nine goals in 38 games. In the Under-20s, he is an absolute starter, scoring three goals in 15 matches.
William Batista's men will now return to the pitch next Wednesday (10), at 3pm (Brasília time), to face Avaí, at home, in a duel valid for the 15th round of the first phase of the Brazilian Under-20 Championship. At the moment, Timão occupies 11th place with 19 points - five wins, four draws and five defeats - 19 goals scored and 18 conceded. Only the top eight advance to the quarterfinals. Bahia is currently in eighth place, with 22 points.
Corinthians Under-20 Artillery in 2026:
1) Luiz Fernando - eight goals in 19 games
2) Iago Machado* - three goals in 14 games
3) Luiz Gustavo Bahia (12 games), Lorenzo (14 games) and Luiz Fábio 'Favela' (18 games) - two goals scored each
4) Cauã Ribeiro (five games), Gui Amorim (seven games), Gustavo Corrêa (eight games), Joãozinho (12 games), Christian (12 games), Nicollas (14 games) and Guilherme Pires (18 games) - one goal scored each
The post Defender born in 2009 becomes vice-top scorer for Corinthians' Under-20s in 2026 first appeared on Central do Timão.
The content Defender born in 2009 becomes vice-top scorer for Corinthians' Under-20s in 2026 appears first in Central do Timão.
Source: Timao Central