After eight years, Adriana and Andressa rejoin Brazil women in Itu | OneFootball

Returning to a Brazil national team training camp in Itu, where they first met in 2018 while preparing for the 2019 World Cup, holds special meaning for Andressa Alves and Adriana. Among the 29 players called up by head coach Arthur Elias for the training period outside the FIFA window in the countryside of São Paulo from June 15 to 20, the duo are among the veterans, with a long history together with the Seleção.

“We spent quite a long time here, so we know this environment very well and have always felt at home. It’s nice and special to come back and remember the old moments,” says Adriana. The player, who now plays for Saudi club Al-Qadsiah, has also been called up 12 other times under Arthur Elias.

When she was still playing for Orlando Pride, she had the chance to compete in the Gold Cup and in some friendlies wearing Brazil’s colors. That is in addition to taking part in the 2023 World Cup and winning the silver medal at the 2024 Olympics, where she shared the captain’s armband with other leaders, such as Marta.

Andressa, meanwhile, who met the coach at Centro Olímpico in 2013, had not yet had the opportunity to train with him in the national team. Looking back on the years she has represented Brazil, including the last two World Cups, she sees major progress—not only in personal maturity, but also in management and performance. “The way the CBF has been treating the women’s national team has changed a lot. It has evolved so that we can perform at a high level, because today we have everything at our disposal, like a nutritionist. Before, that access was difficult. So it has had an impact on how we perform,” she says.

Still adapting to the playing style, the Corinthians midfielder highlights that she takes lessons from every coach for both her career and her life. “Each one has their own style, completely different. We adapt. The good thing is that when everyone embraces his idea, it works out really well, and we’re seeing that in the results we’ve had recently,” says her national team teammate Adriana reassuringly.

Challenges for the 2027 World Cup

As for the Women’s World Cup, which will be held from June 24 to July 25 next year in Brazil, they agree that the challenges are proportional to the expectations. “The challenge will be among ourselves. To prepare and show that we are going in search of the title,” Adriana sums up.

For Andressa, the emotional weight of a World Cup at home can work for or against them. “On the field, the challenge will be controlling our emotions, because playing in our own country is a magical moment, but also one of great responsibility. Brazil will go in as one of the favorites, and that is a very heavy burden,” reflects the midfielder, who represented the country at the 2016 Olympics.

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