At 23:30, Corinthians fans began heading home after the match at Neo Química Arena. Vinicius Moreira, 35, made his way to the bus station as well. However, by that time, he had missed the last train to Jacareí, located approximately 80 kilometers from São Paulo. He had no choice but to spend the night in São Paulo and return home the next day.

This is the daily life of 35-year-old Vinicius. True fans understand the sacrifices he makes to watch Corinthians matches since 2019. For him, the team is not just a passion—it is "therapy" that helps him cope with his challenges.

Vinicius was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in March 2021, and has lived with this rare neurological disorder since then. The pain and weakness in various parts of his body have not stopped him from following Corinthians.

"I love this life as a Corinthians fan. Going to the stadium, traveling, watching matches—all of this is like therapy that helps me face this disease," Vinicius told GE in an interview. "It's a way to fill my time with activities I enjoy, and it also helps me temporarily forget some symptoms and problems caused by the disease, both physically and mentally."

This fan has attended over 100 matches of Corinthians' men's and women's teams. He also watches youth team games and occasionally basketball games featuring Alvinegro.

"Now I'm used to a busy life traveling to watch Corinthians matches," Vinicius said. "Even though it's tiring, every time Corinthians plays, I'm happy because I get to repeat this whole process again."

Vinicius Moreira, 35, has supported Corinthians since 1998, influenced by his godmother. In 2019, he began attending matches at Neo Química Arena. His first match was a 0-0 draw between Corinthians and Internacional.

"The excitement of seeing my beloved team take the field for the first time was a memorable experience," he said. "From entering the stadium to the celebration of the fans, especially the moments of great support during difficult times. Experiencing that atmosphere firsthand and watching the match up close left a strong impression on me."

Since his first trip to São Paulo to watch a match, spending many hours on public transportation has become part of Vinicius's life as a Corinthians fan. From Jacareí, he has two travel options, each taking between 2.5 and 3 hours total.

He can either take a direct bus from Jacareí station to São Paulo, or take a bus to Mogi das Cruzes first and then transfer to a train to Itaquera. Since he must rely on public transportation for both legs of the journey, Vinicius often has to spend the night in São Paulo and wait for the first morning service.

"If the match starts earlier, I can still catch the last bus back around midnight," Vinicius said. "But if it's a match that starts at 21:30, I have to spend the night in São Paulo, find a quiet place, eat something, charge my phone, and then catch the first train at 4 a.m. to get to work on time."

In November 2020, during the pandemic, Vinicius began experiencing unusual fatigue, along with muscle twitching in his arms and legs. The following month, difficulty swallowing and a hoarse voice became new signs that something was wrong with his body.

Since then, he has sought answers through doctor visits and tests. In March 2021, Vinicius saw a neurologist for the first time and underwent MRI, blood tests, and electromyography. Approximately four to five months later, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

"The hardest part is the emotional toll," he said, "because the diagnostic process took so long. You desperately want to know what's happening to you."

"Now I feel weakness in my arms, difficulty swallowing, and muscle pain, especially in my lower back," he said. "When necessary, I take painkillers to manage the pain and live a normal life."

No matter the limitations and pain caused by ALS, Vinicius sees attending matches as more than just an opportunity to follow his favorite team. For him, going to the stadium also helps him cope with the disease.

When asked what Corinthians means in his life, he answered with a single word:

"Love."

*José Albuquerque provided assistance under the supervision of Danilo Sardinha.

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