Corinthians pioneer Roseli reflects on journey, hails women’s rise | OneFootball

One of the pioneers of Brazilian women’s football and a former Corinthians player, Roseli de Belo attended last Wednesday (23) the launch of the 2026 Women’s Copinha, promoted by the São Paulo Football Federation (FPF), in São Paulo. During the event, the former striker recalled the difficulties players faced when starting out in the sport, looked back on her time with Timão, and highlighted the growth of the game and the importance of investing in youth development.

The competition, which will be played from November 24 to December 12, brings together 20 teams and represents a reality far removed from what Roseli found at the beginning of her career. Without a solid structure for developing girls, the former player said it was necessary to compete in tournaments with boys and take part in large tryouts to get opportunities.

Photo: Nayra Halm/Staff Images Woman/CBF.

“First, I want to thank the initiative of the São Paulo Federation. What they are doing for the sport, for our category, which is women’s football, is very important. And, as you said, there really wasn’t any (youth competition). At least in my time, we had to play in tournaments with the boys. And there would be big tryouts so we could play. And now, for me, youth development is essential,” Roseli said in an interview with Meu Timão.

Time at Corinthians brings back memories

Roseli’s relationship with football spans different moments in the history of the sport in Brazil. The former striker played between the 1980s and 2000s and was part of one of the first generations of the Brazilian Women’s National Team.

With the Seleção, she played in the 1991 and 1995 World Cups and took part in three editions of the Olympic Games, in 1996, 2000, and 2004. Even before the first official Women’s World Cup, Roseli took part in the FIFA Women’s Invitation Tournament, held in China in 1988.

The former player was also part of the early chapters of Corinthians women’s football, spending time at Parque São Jorge in the late 1990s. Speaking about the club, Roseli recalled her dedication during the period when she wore the black-and-white shirt and connected that generation to the current situation of the Brabas.

“A memory comes to my mind. Because Corinthians, for me, I played there, it was everything to me. My God, total dedication. And seeing where the girls are now, that they’ve reached the final again. It’s so rewarding, the legacy that we pioneers left for the girls,” she said.

Decades after Roseli’s time at the club, Corinthians is once again preparing to compete for the Brazilian Women’s Championship title. The Brabas will face São Paulo in the national final, repeating the matchup that decided the 2024 edition.

Roseli recalls huge crowd and calls for more investment

Despite the structural difficulties faced by the first generations, Roseli also experienced high-profile matches during her career. Speaking about the growth of crowds in women’s football, the former striker recalled the Cidade de Uberlândia Tournament, played in April 1995.

On that occasion, Brazil faced Australia in the final and won 3-0. Roseli scored one of the goals and remembered the impressive crowd at Parque do Sabiá. The former player used the experience to argue for greater involvement from clubs, sponsors, and other institutions in the development of the sport.

“There was a tournament we played in Uberlândia. We reached the final against Australia and won 3-0. We drew 75,000 people (to the stadium). I think nobody remembers that. But for Corinthians, it’s essential. I think teams should do more of that. Not just Corinthians, to give us support. To support women’s football, so we can keep rising higher and higher. Because women’s football is growing in Brazil and we need that. We need support, help, and sponsorships,” she said.

Corinthians once again rallies fans ahead of final

The growth mentioned by the pioneer can also be seen in the crowds recorded by Corinthians in recent years. Last Monday (21), 9,755 fans were at Neo Química Arena to watch the win over Bahia in the second leg of the Brasileirão Feminino semifinal, the biggest crowd recorded in the country for the sport in 2026 up to that point.

The biggest crowd in the history of Brazilian women’s club football also belongs to the Brabas. In 2024, 44,529 people watched Corinthians’ 2-0 win over São Paulo at Neo Química Arena, a result that secured the black-and-white team’s sixth Brazilian title.

Corinthians and São Paulo will meet again in a national final this Saturday (26). The first Majestoso of the Brasileirão Feminino final kicks off at 4:30 p.m. at Neo Química Arena. The second leg is scheduled for October 3 at Morumbis.

Brabinhas learn their Copinha path

While the senior team competes for another trophy, the black-and-white youth squad already knows its first opponents in the competition that brought Roseli together with the new generation.

In the draw held by the FPF, Corinthians was placed as the top seed in Group B of the Women’s Copinha, named Copan by the organizers. The Brabinhas will face Ação-MT, Atlético-MG, and Red Bull Bragantino in the first phase, with matches at Nicolau Alayon Stadium, in Barra Funda.

The fourth edition of the tournament is scheduled to begin on November 24, with the final set for December 12 at Canindé. For Roseli, the existence of a competition focused on player development represents exactly one of the main changes compared with the period when she began building her own path in football.

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