Vitorinha relishes World Cup chance, highlights Brazil's strengths | OneFootball

Willpower and team spirit. For Vitorinha, these are the Brazilian Women’s U-20 National Team’s biggest strengths in the quest for a first-ever World Cup title. In an interview with the CBF website, the midfielder spoke about her relationship with her teammates and highlighted the squad’s strong points. The team is already in Poland, where it will compete in the World Cup from September 5 to 27.

“Our group is very united, and that has been the case since our first call-up with Camilla. Since then, we’ve been building that unity and collective spirit, and that’s what has helped us improve more and more and arrive well prepared for this World Cup,” she said.

“Our other difference-maker is our determination. We step onto the field thinking, ‘We are Brazil.’ Each of us plays for her teammate and for the history we carry,” she added.

Vitorinha could not hide her happiness when talking about the opportunity to play in a World Cup. The player said this has always been her dream and that she will only truly believe she has achieved it when she hears the opening whistle in the debut match.

“I don’t think it has fully sunk in yet. Only when I’m there in the opener, on the field, when the opening whistle blows, will I think, ‘Wow, it’s real.’ I’m very happy. It’s the fulfillment of a dream. Any girl who plays football dreams of a World Cup, and I’m very happy for the opportunity,” she said.

Vitorinha won the South American U-20 Championship at the beginning of the yearCredits: Luciana Vermell/CBF

WEARING THE YELLOW JERSEY

The player recalled the moment of her first call-up to the Brazilian National Team. She stressed that, although she has been called up several times since, she will never forget the first time her name appeared on the list.

“I was 14 years old and was called up to the U-17 National Team. At the time, I was still playing for Minas Brasília. It was a unique joy. You never forget your first call-up. I’m very grateful for it to this day.”

Since that first call-up, Vitorinha has felt the same thing every time she is called to wear the yellow jersey: honor. It is worth noting that in February this year, she won the South American U-20 Championship with Brazil.

“I feel extremely honored. As I said, it is every girl’s dream to be able to represent her country and be on the National Team. I can only thank God, my family, who are always by my side supporting me, and also the entire coaching staff for the opportunity.”

Vitorinha during training with the Women’s U-20 National TeamCredits: Luciana Vermell/CBF

CAREER PATH

Born in the Federal District, Maria Vitoria started out playing futsal at the age of 12. Her first club was Minas Brasília, where she made the transition to the full-sized game. Still very young, she played in the Brazilian U-18 and U-20 Championships for the Brasília-based team. At 15, she was called to join São Paulo and, since then, her career has only continued to grow. The midfielder is currently part of the Tricolor Paulista’s senior squad.

WOMEN’S U-20 NATIONAL TEAM SCHEDULE

The Brazilian National Team is in the city of Kraków, Poland, where it is carrying out the first phase of preparation for the World Cup. The team arrived on Tuesday night (25) and held its first on-field training session this Thursday (27).

On Sunday (30), the team heads to Bielsko-Biała, where it will play its first matches of the World Cup. In the group stage, Brazil is in Group B and will face Tanzania, Canada, and England on September 5, 8, and 11, respectively. All three matches will be played at Bielsko-Biała Stadium at 10 a.m. Brasília time.

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