From Espírito Santo to São Paulo: meet striker Sofia Gamonal | OneFootball

Forward Sofia Gamonal is once again living the dream of representing the Brazilian National Team in a continental competition, as she wore the famous yellow jersey in the 2025 Conmebol U-15 Liga Evolução. Called up by coach Rilany Silva for the Women’s U-17 South American Championship, the player celebrated the opportunity.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity. It’s always a source of pride to represent this jersey, and it’s where many girls dream of being,” she said.

In an exclusive interview with CBF TV, Sofia recalled the moment she was called up to the National Team for the first time.

“It was really cool. It happened the day before my birthday, so it was a double celebration, because being called up to the National Team is a reason for great happiness", she said.

Nicolly, Sofia Gamonal and Marcela during the national anthemCredits: Staff Images/CBF

Originally from Vitória, Espírito Santo, the forward said she started out playing with boys at school and later asked her father to enroll her in a football academy. She only started playing with girls when she was already 13, and that was when she managed to send a video to São Paulo, which quickly became interested in her talent.

Sofia revealed that, although she adapted well at Tricolor, the move to São Paulo was difficult because of the separation from her family. While she and her mother, Simone, moved to the state capital, her father, Marco Antônio, and her twin sister, Natália, remained in Espírito Santo.

“It really was a drastic change. I admit I was nervous, thinking I wouldn’t be able to adapt quickly, but it was very smooth. From the beginning I was able to make a lot of friends. It’s a very good environment there at São Paulo,” she said.

Sofia Gamonal during the match against VenezuelaCredits: Staff Images/CBF

“It was difficult at first, because I moved with only my mother and I’m a twin. So my sister and my father stayed in Espírito Santo for a year, and we were apart for a while. In 2025 they moved to São Paulo and the family was together again,” she added.

The Brazilian National Team takes the field this Monday (27) to face Uruguay in a match valid for the second round of the group stage of the Women’s U-17 South American Championship. Kickoff is at 8:00 p.m. (Brasília time) at Estádio Ameliano Villeta, in Paraguay. The match will be broadcast live on SporTV.

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