From Corinthians to PSG

Born Marcos Aoás Corrêa in São Paulo on 14 May 1994, Marquinhos began his football career in the Corinthians youth academy, which he joined at the age of eight.

Ten years later, in 2012, he was promoted to the first team. His spell at the club, however, was short-lived. Just a few months after making his professional debut, the young centre-back moved to Roma, where he began to attract attention across European football.

His impressive performances in Italy led PSG to take a chance on Marquinhos in 2013. The French club signed the defender when he was just 19 years old.

What appeared to be the start of a new adventure quickly became one of the most remarkable stories in the history of Paris Saint-Germain.

Since then, Marquinhos has become synonymous with the club.

A decade of titles in Paris

Marquinhos has spent over a decade wearing the PSG shirt and has been part of some of the most significant periods in the club’s history.

Throughout his time in Paris, he has won 40 titles, becoming the first player in football history to reach this milestone for a single club.

His collection includes:

  • 11 Ligue 1 titles

  • 10 French Super Cups

  • 8 French Cups

  • 6 French League Cups

  • 2x UEFA Champions League

  • 2x UEFA Super Cup

  • 1 FIFA Intercontinental Cup

These figures help to illustrate Marquinhos’ longevity and importance to PSG. Over more than a decade, he has not only remained at the club whilst new teammates have come and gone, but has also become one of the key figures in a team that has come to dominate French football and subsequently reached the very top of European football.

To date, Marquinhos has also made over 500 appearances for PSG, making him the player who has worn the club’s shirt the most times.

From rising star to captain

Marquinhos’s development has not been limited to the pitch. Over the years, he has taken on increasing responsibility within the dressing room.

Following Thiago Silva’s departure for Chelsea in 2020, Marquinhos took over the PSG captain’s armband on a permanent basis.

From then on, he came to represent the club even more fully. His leadership, maturity and consistency have made him a role model for different generations of players who have passed through Paris.

When Lucas Beraldo joined PSG from São Paulo in 2024, he was keen to highlight Marquinhos’ influence: “There are many players from Brazil who have worn this shirt and been very important, such as Marquinhos, who is now the captain. [...] I had a dream of playing alongside him.” (Paris Saint-Germain – YouTube)

The admiration Marquinhos inspires goes beyond his technical ability. His attitude, professionalism and sense of responsibility have made him an inspiration to other players, especially the Brazilians who joined the club after him.

The gesture that showed who Marquinhos really is

Amidst so many trophies, one of the most memorable moments of his career took place far from the title celebrations.

After Gabriel Magalhães missed the decisive penalty in the 2026 Champions League final, Marquinhos was the first player to rush over and embrace his compatriot.

Whilst his teammates were celebrating the victory, the PSG captain went over to the opposing player to console him.

The gesture held special significance.

Four years earlier, in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, Marquinhos himself had been in a similar situation. He missed one of his penalties in the shoot-out against Croatia, which ultimately saw Brazil knocked out.

That’s why he knew exactly how Gabriel was feeling: “I thought about the moment I’d been through myself, which was very difficult, and I simply wanted to give him a hug and tell him that I’d been through it too. I know how hard it is; he’s had an incredible season, he deserves great things, and we’ll be back together again very soon. We really need him; he’s a very important player, so I hope he can enjoy this moment as Premier League champion, get over the penalty incident soon, and focus on the national team, which will be very important.” (TNT Sports)

His attitude was praised by supporters of both clubs and showed a side to Marquinhos that goes beyond the player on the pitch.

His leadership isn’t just about lifting trophies. It’s also in the way he reacts in difficult moments and the way he treats his teammates and opponents.

A respected leader

Marquinhos’s demeanour also caught the attention of his team-mates.

Vitinha, who has already received two nominations for the Ballon d’Or, highlighted the Brazilian’s importance to PSG: “Marquinhos deserves this more than anyone. [...] He’s endured many years of suffering here, and I think he’s a true leader and deserves all of this.” (TNT Sports)

The “years of hardship” mentioned by Vitinha refer to PSG’s various frustrating Champions League campaigns prior to their first-ever triumph.

Marquinhos was part of most of them.

Even in the face of disappointment, he continued to lead the team, keeping his composure and believing that the club could finally reach the top.

The Brazil manager, Carlo Ancelotti, also praised the centre-back after the final and specifically highlighted the incident involving Gabriel Magalhães: “It was a very touching gesture from a team-mate. Marquinhos’ performance is that of a spectacular professional.” (Terra Brasil)

This kind of recognition helps to explain why Marquinhos has become such an important figure not only for PSG, but also for Brazilian football.

Individual recognition

Although his career is strongly associated with team honours, Marquinhos has also been recognised as one of the world’s best players.

In 2019, he received his first nomination for the ‘Ballon d’Or’ award, following a season in which he helped PSG win Ligue 1 and the French Super Cup, as well as lifting the Copa América with Brazil.

Now, in 2026, he has received his second nomination for the award.

The two nominations, seven years apart, reflect the longevity of a player who has managed to remain among the best in his position throughout different stages of his career.

Marquinhos was also named in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season, as was Gabriel Magalhães, underlining the Brazilian presence amongst the competition’s leading figures.

More than just a captain

Few players have become as closely associated with a club as Marquinhos has with PSG.

He arrived in Paris as a promising youngster and witnessed the club’s transformation into a powerhouse of French and European football. He has seen great stars arrive, different managers take the helm and entire generations of players leave the dressing room.

He remained.

And, throughout this journey, he has gone from being just another young defender signed by PSG to becoming one of the great icons in the club’s history.

His career embodies almost everything that defines an elite career: longevity, titles, leadership, consistency and the ability to overcome difficult times.

At 32, Marquinhos has already built a legacy that few players manage to achieve. And, with a second nomination for the Ballon d’Or and a collection of 43 titles, his story may yet see new chapters added.