Bia Zaneratto unveiled by Palmeiras, says: 'I'm hungry for major trophies' | OneFootball

She’s back! On the afternoon of this Friday (9th), Palmeiras officially announced the signing of Bia Zaneratto, the second highest scorer in the history of Verdão’s women’s team. A Libertadores champion with the Greatest Champion of Brazil, the Empress returns to Brazilian football after years in the United States.

“One of the greatest athletes in the history of women’s football in Brazil” – that’s how Leila Pereira described the Empress during her presentation.

Speak, Empress!

Career level achieved, return to Brazilian football

— It’s a joy to see this room full of women and men to talk about women’s football. Having my whole family here is a privilege. As Leila mentioned, it’s extremely important to have key players performing in Brazil. I think I’ve had a long career abroad: I played for Santos and some clubs here, started at Ferroviária, then spent six years in Korea, two years in China, had brief stints here at Palmeiras, and now two years in the United States. And now coming back home is that comfort, that coziness. I’m living a great moment. I return after being named as one of the greats of the league. I have the ambition to achieve great things with Palmeiras, a full calendar. We’re aiming to win every championship. I’ll work hard to continue being part of the Brazilian National Team.

Arrival at Palmeiras and focus on the World Cup

— Look, I think there are several things that brought me back to Brazil and to Palmeiras. Of course, my family weighs heavily, after a long career spent away from them, and I’m very close to them. Professionally, I’ve played in several leagues, was recently in one of the strongest, and I see Brazilian football growing more and more. We have a lot of room to grow before the World Cup. And I think that, more and more, with players like me, more eyes will be drawn to Brazilian football. I hope my return brings in more fans. I know it’s not just about Bia, but Palmeiras has been winning in recent years even without me. But I’m joining a team that’s prepared to do our best on the field. I think Rosana has added a lot to the team.

Relationship with Rosana, now coach

— I think the expectation of playing with her and now being coached by her is very good. I remember Rosana as a player, her style, being very successful, and she comes to Palmeiras at the same level. Aggressive play, more functional, not so positional. And I like to be freer, more loose. I’ll try to make the most of it, and I know she’ll bring out the best in me.

Contract duration and is Palmeiras the best team in Brazil?

— The contract length, we’re leaving that open, we’re not going to talk much about it. Regarding Corinthians, there was a period of dominance, but everything doesn’t change overnight, it’s a process of building. Palmeiras has been doing a great job, it’s a process. People have been saying Palmeiras is the team to beat, but we’re keeping our feet on the ground. We’re not going to put ourselves in a place that isn’t ours yet.

Difficult moment in women’s football

— Regarding the structure: Palmeiras has been growing and I’ve been able to follow it. I was here in 2021, it was a short time, but we already started to understand the reality of women’s football in Brazil, and I saw that every year improvements were happening. And today we see the moment women’s football at Palmeiras is in, having a closer relationship with the club. Sometimes we need to win things to have them, I don’t agree with that order, but sometimes it’s the other way around. Even so, Palmeiras has been building this, winning titles and building a structure.

— I think both things go hand in hand, things flow — but sometimes that doesn’t happen. Regarding Fortaleza and Real Brasília, who wanted to end women’s football, this usually happens: the club goes down and decides to end women’s football. In the end, who suffers is women’s football, and it shouldn’t be like that. Both should exist and each should be able to follow its own path. But I hope that soon Fortaleza can invest again and that the girls have opportunities at other clubs. As in all women’s football teams, some are very well structured and others less so. May we help all teams have a more balanced structure.

Greatness at Palmeiras and excitement from the fans

Question by journalist Bárbara Maia, from NOSSO PALESTRA, at Bia Zaneratto’s presentation press conference.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.