After eight years, Adriana and Andressa back with Brazil women in Itu

Returning to a Brazil national team training camp in Itu, where they first met in 2018 while preparing for the 2019 World Cup, has a special feeling for Andressa Alves and Adriana. Among the 29 players called up by coach Arthur Elias for the training period outside the FIFA international window in the countryside of São Paulo between June 15 and 20, the midfielder and the forward 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 always feel at home. It’s nice and enjoyable to come back and remember the memories from before,” says Adriana. The player, who now plays for Saudi club Al-Qadsiah, has been called up 12 other times by Arthur Elias. While still playing for Orlando Pride, she had the chance to compete in the Gold Cup and some friendlies wearing the green-and-yellow jersey.

Andressa, who met the coach at Centro Olímpico in 2013, had not yet had the opportunity to train with him on the national team. Looking back on her years representing the Seleção, she sees major progress—not only in personal maturity, but also in management and performance. “The way the CBF is 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 style of play, the Corinthians midfielder points out 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 ideas, it works really well—we’re seeing the results we’ve had recently,” reassures her national team teammate Adriana.

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 one with a lot of 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.