Gui Negão: Corinthians’ Star Striker

Gui Negão is one of the most talked-about players in Brazilian youth football.

Playing for both the Corinthians’ U-17 and U-20 teams, the centre-forward has already caught the attention of coach Ramón Díaz and may soon make his first-team debut for the black-and-white.

Learn more about his characteristics, journey, ambitions, and, of course, the Calcio Deal evaluation.

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Gui Negão’s Journey

Guilherme William Silva Inacio, or simply Gui Negão, is the centre-forward in Corinthians’ youth ranks.

Born on 6 February 2007 in São Paulo, Gui began his football journey at a young age.

A product of the Cohab José Bonifácio, in São Paulo’s eastern suburbs, his footballing dream began at the local Elite club.

Encouraged by his mother, it was his father who introduced him to the club’s courts.

In futsal matches against Corinthians, he made an impression. By the age of 9, he was donning the black and white of Timão, where he remains today with great pride.

Like many Brazilian football greats, Gui spent three years in futsal, where he honed his technique, maintaining excellent ball control to this day.

Image: Facebook

His abilities have consistently shone through at Corinthians, where he continues to impress in youth categories.

His talent is so evident that he not only excels in his age group, the U-17s, where he’s among the best of his year, but also competes in the U-20s.

Despite facing players up to three years older, he continues to stand out.

Such performances have led manager Ramón Díaz and his staff to look favourably upon Gui Negão’s rise to the professional squad.

The player has already been named on the team sheet for several matches, the most recent being against Cuiabá in the Brasileirão’s 31st round.

We had the opportunity to talk to Gui Negão and gain his perspective as an athlete:

How would you describe yourself as a player?

“I consider myself a focused, committed, and combative player. I have good technique and a team-oriented mindset.”

What are your best qualities?

“I believe I move well outside the box. I also have good skills like passing and finishing, and I work hard in defence.”

Who is your biggest inspiration?

“Adriano, for his similar style.”

What is your biggest dream as a player?

“Like many players, I dream of playing for European clubs. Of course, I want to play for the national team and ultimately win titles. Beyond personal achievements, I want to support my family, who have done and continue to do so much for me.”

It’s clear that, beyond being a talented player, Gui Negão is fully aware of his strengths, which we’ll explore further, and demonstrates a professional mindset despite his young age.

Image: Rodrigo Gazzanel / Agência Corinthians

Playing Style and Characteristics

Gui Negão is a type of centre-forward rarely seen in Brazilian and international football.

When we think of combative strikers, several names come to mind. However, despite their scoring ability, combative forwards often lack technical finesse.

This is where Gui Negão stands out, combining refined technique with a robust, physical style.

Gui is that forward who battles with defenders in physical duels, holding up the ball under pressure from opposition centre-backs and waiting for teammates to join the attack.

In this combative role, no ball is ever considered lost for the Timão striker. He constantly pressures defenders as they try to play out, using his speed to close down space. Often, he regains possession or forces defenders into hasty clearances, leading to a turnover in favour of Corinthians.

On the technical front, he shows remarkable skill. He is intelligent in his movement, creating and exploiting spaces effectively.

A centre-forward who knows how to make deep runs, hold the ball up, and link play in midfield, he opens up opportunities for his teammates.

With the ball at his feet, he is creative in finding solutions. An example of his skillset was his play during the first leg of the Paulista U-17 semi-final against São Paulo.

Gui Negão chased down a seemingly lost ball on the attacking byline, pulled off a stunning backheel dribble past a defender, beat two more opponents, and delivered a perfect cross to the far post for Luiz to score, equalising the game, which ended 2-1 to Corinthians, with Gui himself also on the scoresheet.

It’s clear that this young talent excels in finishing, creating opportunities, and executing a critical tactical role.

Future Prospects and Evaluation

Gui Negão shows great promise for first-tier international football.

He is one of the few players who can combine technical skill with physical play, making him a complete centre-forward.

With his potential to play at the highest level with Europe’s elite clubs, Gui Negão earns a score of 9.0.

Image: Rodrigo Coca / Ag.Corinthians