Vinicius Souza reveals interest from Brazilian clubs and talks with Corinthians after Wolfsburg’s relegation.
Defensive midfielder Vinicius Souza, a product of the Flamengo youth academy, admitted to receiving offers from Brazilian clubs during a turbulent period for his team, Wolfsburg, which ultimately resulted in relegation to the second division of German football. The delicate situation in Germany opened the door for a potential return to his home country, an idea the player had considered.
The most concrete interest, according to the athlete himself, came from Corinthians. Vinicius Souza revealed in an interview with 365scores:
There was interest from Brazil, but it was just casual. The one that was actually quite close was Corinthians; Corinthians were very serious about it.
Distance from his family and the pressure of living in a small city were factors that led him to consider a loan move.
The Prospect of a Return and Corinthians’ Choice
Although the desire to return to Brazil was present, especially in December, Wolfsburg‘s management was key in keeping him in Europe. The German club, known for its financial stability, showed no intention of selling the player and instead promised to build the team around him. This trust shown by the board, especially by director Dieter Hecking, was decisive for Vinicius Souza‘s decision to stay.
I was thinking about at least going out on loan, returning to Brazil for a bit to get a fresh start, and then coming back to Europe in June. But today that is not on my mind. It’s hard to say never, there’s another window in January, but I don’t think it will be easy with Wolfsburg. They are a very wealthy club that doesn’t need the money, and they made it clear to me that they intend to build the team around me.
Instead of Vinicius Souza, Corinthians ended up securing a loan deal for Allan, another defensive midfielder with a history at Flamengo, highlighting the club’s search for midfield reinforcements at that time.
The Relegation Context and His Time at Flamengo
Wolfsburg‘s relegation marked the end of a 28-year stay in Germany’s top flight, dating back to 1998. For Vinicius Souza, the drop carries significant weight, but it also presents a challenge to fight for an immediate return to the Bundesliga.
The first few weeks were very tough. We have one more year to try and get back to the Bundesliga, which won’t be easy either. It’s going to be a long season, but we will give our all to help Wolfsburg get back to where it truly belongs. This relegation is a heavy burden to carry.
His time at Flamengo, despite being a favorite of Jorge Jesus back in 2019 and 2020, was marked by limited opportunities in the first team, where he made only eight appearances. However, he left his mark in the youth categories, winning the Copa São Paulo and the U-20 Brazilian Serie A.
The decision to remain at Wolfsburg, despite the relegation, shows the player’s confidence in his potential and the project the German club has for him. Vinicius Souza‘s next steps will be crucial in determining whether he can lead the team back to the German elite.
