Carlos Miguel was considered to be Cássio’s great successor in Corinthians’ goal. However, the 25-year-old goalkeeper transferred to Nottingham Forest in England after his release clause was reduced to 4 million euros. The player explained why the amount of the clause was reduced and highlighted that, together with his agent, he sought the best for his career.
“I arrived for free. Only with a salary and no bonuses. I managed to play in 2022 and in 2023 we went to renew. I had only played two professional games and we wanted to change the fine. Four million euros for someone who had only played two games is expensive. With Cássio still as a starter, who would still be here today if I had been with him. My agent and I had our side and the club had theirs”, explained the goalkeeper, in an interview with the podcast Benja Me Muchofrom the journalist Benjamin Back.
When talking about Cássio, who left Timão this year to play for Cruzeiro, Carlos Miguel assured that he had no problem with the Corinthians idol.
“I never had anything to do with Cássio. A lot of people said that I had some kind of problem with Cássio, for God’s sake (laughs). He was the starter, so I wanted to help him. I knew how to bide my time,” said Carlos Miguel.
Making it official ✍️ pic.twitter.com/5U2PSipcaN
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) July 9, 2024
With Cássio on the bench after a match against Argentinos Juniors, Carlos Miguel played 11 games as a starter. When he was establishing himself in goal for Timão, the goalkeeper received the news that Nottingham Forest, from the English Championship, would pay his release clause. The 25-year-old player explained that his desire was to go to England and revealed behind-the-scenes conversations with Augusto Melo’s board.
“I sat down and spoke to them. I was honest and said: ‘I have an offer from a club abroad, from Nottingham Forest, it’s my dream to play in the Premier League and I’m going to accept it’. I’m not going there for the money. In fact, they (Augusto Melo’s board) offered me a five-year contract and a salary higher than what I’ll earn in England”, said the player.
With negotiations with Nottingham Forest underway, António Oliveira, Corinthians’ coach at the time, was counting on Carlos Miguel for the rest of Timão’s matches until the end of June. However, before the match against Athletico-PR, the coach confirmed the player’s departure and stated that “only those who want to play for the club stay at Corinthians”. Carlos said he did not argue with the Portuguese player and did not understand the coach’s decision.
“I didn’t have (a fight with António Oliveira). I told him I would play the matches. I could have said I wouldn’t play because I was sold out, like some people do. I played against Atlético-GO and unfortunately we didn’t win. I never messed around. I twisted my ankle in training and went to the doctor. I wanted to do a test at the hotel before the match. I told him I was going to travel. I don’t know what they told him,” said Carlos Miguel.
Our new Brazilian 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/nngMciTHys
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) July 9, 2024
Finally, the goalkeeper said that he would like to return to Corinthians one day. However, he acknowledged that due to his early departure, he may not be able to return to the club in the future.
“If I can, yes (return to Corinthians). If I return to Brazil, my first choice will be Corinthians. If they don’t want me, I have to have the humility to recognize that my departure may have an influence, but I know I haven’t done anything wrong,” concluded the player.
For Corinthians, Carlos Miguel played in 26 matches and conceded 15 goals, an average of 0.58 per game. The goalkeeper arrived at Timão in 2021, coming from Internacional.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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