Life Beyond the Pitch: How Marquinhos Became a Leader of Men

This article explores the extraordinary journey of Marcos Aoás Corrêa, known affectionately by the nickname Marquinhos, whose path from the bustling streets of São Paulo to the iconic Parc des Princes is a testament to his resilience, skill, and spirit. Born to Marcos Barros Corrêa and Alina Aoás, Marquinhos’s untold story is woven with the fabric of his family’s support, early challenges, and the triumphs that have crowned him as a defensive stalwart. This article delves into Marquinhos’ life beyond the pitch, offering a glimpse into the personal trials and triumphs that have shaped him into one of football’s most revered defenders.

Life Beyond the Pitch: How Marquinhos Became a Leader of Men

Life Beyond the Pitch: How Marquinhos Became a Leader of Men

Marquinhos Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:

For starters of his Biography, Marquinhos (christened Marcos Aoás Corrêa), was born on the 14th day of May 1994 in São Paulo, Brazil. He was born to his mother, Alina Aoás, and to his father, Marcos Barros Corrêa.

Marquinhos' Parents Marcos Barros and Alina Aoás.

Marquinhos’ Parents Marcos Barros and Alina Aoás.

Young Marquinhos was raised in the municipal city of São Paulo which is best known as the capital of Brazilian soccer.

Football has long been a part of the city’s culture, including Marquinhos’ mother, who attended matches at Arena Corinthians even while pregnant with the future football prodigy.

Marquinhos graced Arena Corinthians in his mother's womb before he was given birth.

Marquinhos graced Arena Corinthians in his mother’s womb before he was given birth.

It’s no surprise that young Marquinhos started playing football as soon as he could walk.

Growing up in a middle-class family alongside his elder brother Luan Aoás and sister Riama Aoás, Marquinhos was drawn to football.

The reason was not to necessarily meet his family’s future financial needs but to fulfil what he recognized early as life’s purpose. Little wonder an established Marquinhos would decades later remark that:

Since I was young, I have always wanted to be a football player.

I have worked hard to get to where I am today, I have defended great clubs and will give the best of myself, with strength and envy. The future has no limits; I will always go further.

Early Career Life:

While Marquinhos grew up in São Paulo, he had a famous cousin, Moreno Aoas Vidal, who was, at the time, a budding player with the youth systems of São Paulo’s major football team – Corinthians.

It was Moreno’s progress at Corinthians that inspired Marquinhos and his older brother Luna to also join the youth system of the club when the former was only aged 8.

Marquinhos was aged 8 when he joined Corinthians.

Marquinhos was aged 8 when he joined Corinthians.

It would be interesting to note that Marquinhos has not always been a defender.

The football genius started out by alternating between goalkeeping and serving in the capacity of a defender while studying at Salesian College of Santa Teresinha in São Paulo before joining Corinthians in 2002.

“He was very fond of serving as a goalkeeper. He also played as a defender, but whenever he decided to serve as a goalkeeper, he was always chosen as the first choice for the job”. 

Recalls Adalberto de Oliveira Barbosa, coordinator of the school’s Sports and Dance events.

A rare childhood photo of Marquinhos as a goalkeeper.

A rare childhood photo of Marquinhos as a goalkeeper.

More interesting is the fact that Marquinhos was considered by his parents and coach to be the least talented among the sporting brothers (Luna and cousin Moreno).

He, however, discovered and developed skills while building a career at the youth systems of Corinthians.

Early Career Life:

The Brazilian’s rise through the ranks of Corinthians reached greater heights beginning in 2011.

This was a time when he was part and parcel of young Brazilian internationals that won the 2011 South American under-17 Football Championship. Also part of the team that qualified for the FIFA Under 17 World Cup.

Subsequent engagements with Corinthians saw Marquinhos make his debut with the club’s first team on the 18th of February 2012 and thereafter, recorded a few appearances in Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and 2012 Copa Libertadores campaigns.

Credited with good track records for Corinthians and Brazil’s national teams, Marquinhos in late 2012 had 26 Serie A actions with 4 Coppa Italia appearances before earning a move to Paris Saint Germain. At the time of writing, he has achieved a Record for Most Appearances with PSG.

Marquinhos Biography – Rise To Fame Story:

PSG offered a brave new world of opportunities to Marquinhos, who was seemingly destined to succeed, as he scored his first professional goal for the club on his official debut during PSG’s 4-1 victory over Olympiacos in September 2013.

A few days later, Marquinhos solidified his early impact by scoring his first league goal in a 3–0 UCL group victory against Portuguese giants Benfica. Since then, the Brazilian has emerged as a leader at PSG, captaining a team that includes stars like Nuno Mendes (left back), Manuel Ugarte (defensive midfielder), and Goncalo Ramos (forward). The rest, as they say, is history.

About Marquinhos’ Wife – Carol Cabrino:

Marquinhos is a married man. This section of his Biography brings you factual details about his marital life, including how he met and married his wife, Carol Cabrino.

To start with, Marquinhos’ wife Cabrino is not and wasn’t even a fan of football. She is rather a fitness enthusiast who pursued a career in singing and often recorded appearances at karaoke halls around Brazil.

It was during one of such pursuits that she appeared on a Brazilian version of X-Factor called Jovens Talentos in 2014. Her performance on the reality TV show caught the attention of Marquinhos, who quickly added her on Facebook.

“He added me on Facebook; he wrote to me every day; he commented on my photos.”

She revealed to Canal +.

Marquinhos met and started dating his Wife, Carol Cabrino, in 2014.

Marquinhos met and started dating his Wife, Carol Cabrino, in 2014.

The duo began dating afterwards and got married on the 2nd of July 2016. The ceremony was held at a beach in Trancoso.

Their marriage is blessed with a daughter, Maria Eduarda Cabrino Correa, born on the 1st day of November 2018.

It is worthwhile to note that Cabrino went into labour for the birth of their daughter while she was at the Parc des Princes stadium in France to watch Marquinhos play a Champions League match against Anderlecht.

Marquinhos With Wife Carol Cabrino and daughter Maria. Credits: Revista Quem.

Marquinhos With Wife Carol Cabrino and daughter Maria. Credits: Revista Quem.

Marquinhos Family Facts:

Marquinhos was born into a sports-loving family of 5. We bring you factual details about members of his family.

About Marquinhos’ Father:

Marquinhos’ dad is no other person but Marcos Barros Corrêa. Marcos is everything to Marquinhos, who regards him as his hero, mentor, partner, and friend, among other qualities of an excellent father figure.

Marcos Barros Corrêa is a father and everything to his son Marquinhos.

Marcos Barros Corrêa is a father and everything to his son Marquinhos.

About Marquinhos’ Mother:

Alina Aoás is the loving and caring mom whose beautiful praises are sung by Marquinhos in the following manner:

“Your arms always open when I need a hug. And your heart knows how to understand when I need a friend.

Your sensitive eyes harden when I need a lesson.

And your strength and love have led me through life and gave me the wings I needed to fly, My queen”.

Marquinhos shares an intensely close bond with his mother, Alina Aoás.

Marquinhos shares an intensely close bond with his mother, Alina Aoás.

About Marquinhos’ Siblings:

First of Marquinhos’ siblings is his older brother Luan Aoás. The duo grew up together, sharing common interests in football.

Fate, however, decided that Marquinhos would surpass his brother in the sport. Nonetheless, they are extremely close, with Marquinhos describing Luan as the best brother he could ever ask for.

Marquinhos with his elder brother Luan.

Marquinhos with his elder brother Luan.

Marquinhos’ only sister is the lovely Riama Aoás. A woman whom he treats like a princess after his queen mother.

From left to right: Marquinhos older brother Luan Aoás, younger sister Riama Aoás and Marquinhos himself.

From left to right: Marquinhos older brother Luan Aoás, younger sister Riama Aoás and Marquinhos himself.

Personal Life Outside Football:

What do the activities of an average day look like in Marquinhos’s life? A man who has been described by friends as focused with a very disciplined personality.

For starters, Marquinhos loves spending quality time with his family whenever he gets an opportunity to do so, especially with his daughter, who is growing up fast.

Marquinhos has a close bond with his daughter Maria.

Marquinhos has a close bond with his daughter Maria.

Away from spending time with family, Marquinhos loves playing video games and working out at gyms. The activities, combined, help him develop tactics and stamina, which makes up for what he lacks in height as a defender.

Video games and working out at gyms help Marquinhos Improve tactics and stamina.

Video games and working out at gyms help Marquinhos Improve tactics and stamina.

Moving on to lesser-known facts about Marquinhos, the football genius has a tattoo on his left foot.

The body art, which depicts two tightly clenched palms, is described as Eternal Brotherhood by Marquinhos. It reflects his appreciation for loyalty and support to family and friends.

Marquinhos has a tattoo on his left foot, which he describes as "Eternal Brotherhood".

Marquinhos has a tattoo on his left foot, which he describes as “Eternal Brotherhood”.

Above all, Marquinhos is a devout Christian who firmly believes that faith is the most powerful force in the universe.

Marquinhos identifies as a Christian and regards faith as a powerful force.

Marquinhos identifies as a Christian and regards faith as a powerful force.

Untold Facts:

Do you know?

  • While playing for Roma, Marquinhos used the name “Marcos” to prevent any confusion with his teammate Marquinho, who had a similar name but without the ‘S’.

Analysis of his €31.4 million transfer fee to PSG got top media outlets confused as they dished out varying breakdowns.

BBC Sport claimed it was the highest transfer fee for a teenager at the time. At the same time, Sky Sports reported it as the fifth-highest of such transfers.

Similarly, France’s Le 10 Sport recorded it as the third-highest. Again, French news channel BFM TV described it as the fifth most expensive of all time for a defender.

Marquinhos enjoys a close relationship with Thiago Silva, whom he has often been compared with and, in some cases, referred to as a “little Thiago Silva”.

Beyond the comparisons, Marquinhos considers Thiago to be his role model. And it is evident that they both enjoy a solid understanding at Paris Saint-Germain.

More than Teammates: Marquinhos and Thiago Silva's Bond at Paris Saint-Germain. Often dubbed the 'little Thiago Silva', Marquinhos looks up to Thiago as his guiding star.

More than Teammates: Marquinhos and Thiago Silva’s Bond at Paris Saint-Germain. Often dubbed the ‘little Thiago Silva’, Marquinhos looks up to Thiago as his guiding star.

Appreciation Note and Fact Check:

We appreciate you taking the time to read our version of Marquinhos’ Biography. Don’t forget to stay tuned for more Football Stories as they cut across our categories.

The Childhood Stories of Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez would interest you. Finally, kindly give us your honest feedback about Marquinhos and his amazing Bio.

We care about accuracy and fairness in our collective quest to deliver you South American Football Stories. Marquinhos’ Bio is a product of our Brazilian football Story collection.

Please reach out to us (via comment) if you notice anything that doesn’t look right as you read Marquinhos’ History.

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