Sporting player hopes to shine for Portugal: It would be incredible | OneFootball

The women’s national team tops Group 3 of the UEFA Nations League with four wins, three more than Finland, and has already secured qualification for the 2027 World Cup qualifying play-off. Sporting player Carolina Santiago spoke on behalf of the Navegadoras and stressed the importance of not slipping up in the next two matches, against Latvia and Finland, so as not to lose first place.

“We know we have already secured the World Cup qualifying play-off, but first place is important so that we have a more favorable draw in that stage. The group is very united and we all share the same focus and objective. International matches are never easy and we always go into them with that mindset. We are fully focused on giving our best and achieving our goal, which is to remain in first place,” she said.

Nominated for the prestigious “Young Prospect” award at the 29th Sports Gala, the youngster is keeping her feet on the ground. “Football is my dream, I work every day to achieve these things and I try not to think too much about it, not to get too carried away. But of course I’m very happy with that recognition and I always try to give my best so I can keep achieving my dreams and goals.”

As for her performances, Carolina Santiago, only 19 years old, is enjoying a breakthrough season. The forward has scored 15 goals, 12 of them for Sporting in her second season with the senior team - numbers that earned her the award for best young player in Liga BPI.

“It would be incredible. Obviously, as a forward, I want to score goals and help the team, but I won’t let that pressure take over. I’ll stay calm, do my best and, if it happens, I’ll be very happy,” she said, adding that she would like to maintain the level she has shown at Sporting.

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