The Brazilian central defender Gabriel Paulistaformer player of Valencia, Atlético de Madrid and Villarrealwas presented this Monday as a new player of the Corinthians and he became emotional at a press conference when remembering his brother Rogeriodied more than 20 years ago.
Paulistawho also played in the Arsenal English, is the first reinforcement for the 2026 season of the Corinthianslast champion of the Brazilian Cup and with whom he signed a contract for two seasons, that is, until December 2027.
The 35-year-old defender terminated his contract with the Besiktas Turkish and decided to return to his native country, to the club he and his family adored since he was a child.
In his presentation, he recalled, with a lump in his throat and long silences so as not to burst into tears, that bond that unites him to the albinegro painting.
“I am fulfilling a dream. Today I am here and, of course, I still can’t quite believe it. Sometimes, I go from home to the training center thinking a lot… (Silence) I would like my brother to be here, who influenced me to be a Corinthians fan. He left us. He tried to be a soccer player and he didn’t succeed,” he said.
“I would like my brother to be here, who influenced me to be a Corinthians fan”
“Many times I say that I made his dream come true. I am here to continue making his dreams come true. He was a Corinthians fan, he was part of the Gaviões (club’s brave group). All of that strengthened me to be here and wear this sacred shirt,” he added.
As he revealed in interviews in the past, his brother Rogerio He died during a robbery when he was about 20 years old and the footballer was barely 12.
Paulista revealed that conversations with the Corinthians They started a year ago and he stressed that, although “it was not easy to give up” the comforts of European football, “money is not so important when you are with your family.”
On a sporting level, the centre-back, with a reputation for being tough on the pitch, claimed to be fit and completely recovered from the physical problems that recently affected him.
However, he stressed that he has not come to Corinthians to “be an absolute starter”, but to “find his space” and be physically and technically well while waiting for the coach Dorival Junior give him a “chance.”
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