Julia Vaini is one of the short-, medium- and long-term candidates to occupy space in women’s football.
Photo: Duplicate @SaoPauloFC_Fem
Christina Dominghini Possamai
The performance of the Brazilian team in the World Cup fell short of expectations. But women’s football shows clear signs of no turning back, both in terms of media reach and the development of the sport.
After being eliminated in the group stage, president Ednardo Rodriguez published an open letter on the Brazilian Football Federation’s social networks, pledging to continue investing in the sport.
“We have the Olympic cycle ahead of us and we remain committed to moving forward. We look forward to providing even more support in the future.”
Rodriguez also emphasized the creation of new grassroots competitions. “We will also run the Brazilian U-15/17 Championship during the school holidays later this year, with participation from all regions of the country. Masu.”
Even if Marta has already warned that she, Christiane and Formiga will not be able to work forever, they will have to promote and reveal their new names in the future. In addition, new generation talent tends to find more favorable conditions, such as the presence of base categories in both the Brazilian national team and traditional Brazilian football clubs.
From the play ball to the base of the Tricolor Paulista
Osasco-born Giulia Vaini is one of the candidates to occupy these spaces in the short, medium and long term. The Osasco native, who has already been called up to Brazil’s U-17 team, is only 16, but according to her father (metallurgist Pedro Alexandre de Oliveira), she can use the help of a soccer ball to He said he started walking.
When Julia was just seven years old, she joined the Liga de Osasco project, the heart of Garotos da Vila. In this project, sponsored by Bergo through the ArcelorMittal Foundation, she began to hone her skills and she was in the academy of the Sao Paulo Jutebol club and later called up to the Brazilian national team.
“From an early age I was always involved in sports and that gave me a passion for football. I started to get the hang of it and went to a small school where I developed a lot,” says most of the girls and Similarly, says an athlete who started training with a boy.
“I always wanted to be on the team and when I was on the team, I always dedicated myself to improving and getting better every day. I was training with them every day and I didn’t know there was a women’s team,” Julia recalls.
But last year, when Giulia started wearing the São Paulo shirt, football got more serious. “I joined São Paulo through a partnership with Furusu, but from there it was kind of a bridge to São Paulo. because,” he explains.
Since then, children’s play has taken on a more rigorous outline, with almost daily dedication in the form of a ‘well-structured’ routine, training from Saturday to Saturday, and games on Sundays and Wednesdays. I was. ”
“Great Man” Experience
As is often the case in women’s football, Julia plays multiple positions. “On the field, I really like playing in the middle, both as a midfielder and as a defensive midfielder,” she describes herself with the following traits: “My style of play is to break the line with fast passes, long balls and passes. I like to attack a lot and I finish.”
With the presence of traditional clubs in national football, the Campeonato Paulista Sub 17 2022, Liga de Decenvolvimento Sub 16 2023, Nike Premier Cup Sub 16 2023 and now Paulista Sub 17 2023 It was also possible to participate in some youth competitions such as.
In the next few days, she will also have the chance to compete in August’s Fiesta Conmebol Evolution Sub-16, which bears the name of the Women’s World Cup. She could also wear a Brazilian shirt and feel the taste. Giulia was named in the first list of this year’s Brazil U-17 squad called up by manager Simone Djatoba.
Photo: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF – Manager Simone Djatoba of Brazil’s U-17 and U-15 teams
A total of 26 players were called up for the preparation phase at Granja Comalee in Teresopolis (RJ). The players performed on June 28th and stayed until July 9th.
“It was a very good and important period in my career and a period of learning a lot. Simone Djatova coached everyone on the field very well and made our game easier. I had a very good time with the girls, we learned a lot together and saw the difference in our playing styles,” said the midfielder.
And what next? Secure a spot in the South American Championship. “I need to be very focused in training and in the game so that I can be an option in technique. I want to learn new things for my evolution, positioning, marking and better options on the field.”
Family support and rival stimulation
The 2023 World Cup featured Brazilian players following a scenario that is now very common for men: being called up for friendly matches and youth competitions. Defender Lauren, who will start a World Cup match, could set an example for the path Julia dreams of taking in the future.
Before the game in Australia, Lauren defended Brazil in the under-20 category at last year’s World Cup, winning a bronze medal. We remembered that the 20-year-old defender formed at home in Sao Paulo and was already the Brazilian U18 champions in 2021. She also played for the São Paulo Tricolor main team in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
With that in mind, Julia is valuing the chances she gets with the national team, building on her performances in the tricolor. “The level in São Paulo is very high and it will make our development even better. Like it or not, this is a club with a huge tradition, so there will be more recognition and more people. I hope you will follow me.”
Interestingly, the inspiration for the features performed on the field comes from athletes wearing rival shirts. This is Corinthians player, current Brazilian champion Gabi Zanotti.
Photo: Reproduction / Corinthians – Gabi Zanotti in action at Corinthians
“I look to athlete Gabi Zanotti, and I think her style of play is similar to mine. I think she’s a great player and has a ridiculous vision of the game,” he said. explain.
And considering that her father, Pedro Alexandre, always remembers his daughter’s first steps with a soccer ball, the family supports the efforts of the 16-year-old girl who dreams of becoming a professional player.
“My family supports me a lot because everyone has been involved in this sport and this is already from our family so everyone supports me and I always improve. It gives me a hint for the future,” concludes Julia Vaini.
The text was jointly interviewed by NINJA Esports Clube.