“From my mother’s arms to my dream”: Gisele’s journey to Seleção | OneFootball

Leaving a small town with little infrastructure for women's soccer and crossing the country still in adolescence might seem like too big a leap for many. For Gisele, however, it was just the first step of a dream that began in Santo Antônio, in the interior of Rio Grande do Norte, and led her to be among those called up for the Brazilian Under-20 National Team in the South American Championship in Paraguay. Proudly from the Northeast and driven by a dream that started in childhood, Gisele had to mature to carve out a space in soccer.

"It's a simple town, with few inhabitants and little visibility for women's soccer. I really wanted to leave there to fulfill my dream and my family's. As a Northeastern woman, I see that I am an inspiration for many girls who want to play but don't have the means to leave. That gives me strength to continue because I know soccer is complicated, especially for those who live in the Northeast," she said.

The decision to leave home early required maturity. Leaving the daily life with her mother and five siblings was not easy. Gisele's foundation was in her town in a social project led by coach Wenderson Dantas, a person who would become special in her journey. That's where it all began. From futsal to transitioning to the field. The routine was intense: she left home in the morning and only returned at night. Over time, another choice came: at 14, she asked to live with the coach, who also worked in the guardianship council and welcomed young people, especially girls who played soccer in the region.

Gisele during the preparation of the Brazilian Under-20 National Team to face Peru in the third round of the South American Championship Credits: Staff Images Woman / CBF

"I left home. I left my mother's arms to go after what I believed in. He gave me the opportunity to play and always supported me. It was hard for her, but he lived nearby, so whenever he had time, he would stay with her," she explains.

The relationship turned into a family bond. "Today I call him dad. Not by blood, but by consideration. At first, I was embarrassed, but he welcomed me, advised me, and was the support I needed at that moment.

The leap to high-performance soccer happened almost by chance. Gisele was supposed to have a trial at Fluminense, but as the date took time to be confirmed, the opportunity arose at Grêmio. Approved in the test at 15, she crossed the country to Porto Alegre, and her talent accelerated stages.

"At 16, I stood out in the Under-17, moved up to the Under-20, and to the professional level at 16. The girls in the professional team gave me a lot of confidence. I took that as experience and carried it to other teams. I continued to help in the youth categories. It was very important for my career."

Gisele celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the 5-0 victory against Bolivia Credits: Staff Images Woman / CBF

Call-up and new horizons

The first call-up for the Brazilian Under-20 National Team brought a mix of emotion and responsibility typical of someone who sees life change suddenly. "I was very happy and fulfilled. Knowing that I would have the support of my family, my dad, and my club teammates was special," she celebrates.

The beginning was challenging, mainly due to living with more experienced players, but also transformative. Competitions that once seemed distant began to become reality. Gisele was called up for the Under-20 World Cup in Colombia. "I took everything good for myself. It was a group that felt like a family, everyone helped each other. Many girls dream of playing in a World Cup. Just being there was another dream come true."

Today, Gisele sees herself in a new phase of her career. In the current cycle of the National Team, she is a reference and one of the most experienced in the group. "I matured a lot. I am one of the most experienced and bring what I learned to help the younger ones. It's challenging, but I'm very happy," she says.

The number 7 jersey of the National Team now focuses on helping the team face Peru in the continuation of the South American Championship. The match is scheduled for this Wednesday (11), at 6 pm (Brasília time), at the Estádio Luís Alfonso Giagni, and could secure Brazil's qualification for the next phase. In this competition, she states that she prefers to think step by step but with a strong desire to win. "I expect a lot of commitment. We need to go step by step because I am sure we can win this title. We work in the rain, in the sun, in the heat. Those who work, God helps."

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