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D 1 female: "in Brazil, everyone loves PSG", says Luana

2020-01-17T19:33:59.145Z


Recruited in the winter transfer window, the 26-year-old Brazilian midfielder should play his first match with PSG in the women's clasico against the


She was not too disoriented when arriving in Paris. Even accustomed to travel, like his four seasons in Norway or his last year in South Korea, Luana found PSG his compatriot and partner of Seleção, Formiga (42 years in a month). The two players also received a visit Wednesday morning in Bougival (Yvelines) from their Swedish coach, Pia Sundhage.

Recruited for six months, the 26-year-old should start in his new colors this Saturday (3:45 pm, on Canal +) during the women's clasico against OM at the Jean-Bouin stadium (Paris XVI). The 7th Brazilian in history to play at PSG gave us her first impressions.

How did you end up in Paris?

Luana. After my experience in Asia, I wanted to return to Europe. And there was this proposal from Paris. I did not think before accepting. It is a dream and a pleasure to play for this great club, one of the best in the world, very famous in Brazil. Over there, everyone loves PSG. The way he treats women's football has also played a lot.

How do you explain the privileged relationship between Brazil and PSG?

All the Brazilians who came here did a great job and made history. I hope to do the same. The way of playing in Brazil is not very far from that of Paris, and I think the club likes Brazilians for that.

Have you spoken to Brazilian women who have passed through the club before signing up?

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Yes. Lots of Brazilians have played here before, Erika, Cristiane, Formiga. They told me to go for it. They all said good things about the club, that it was very professional for girls too and that it bet a lot on the development of women's football.

"Formiga is a legend in Brazil"

Is it easier for you to arrive in a team that counts Formiga?

Yes. It's always better when someone speaks your language. She has been there for a long time now, she knows how it works and helps me a lot to integrate. It's great to have him with me.

What does it represent in Brazil?

He is a legend in the country. I have always been a big fan. When I was little, I watched her play, especially at the Olympic Games. Playing with her today is magic.

How did you start playing football?

I was 7 years old, it was in São Paulo, where I grew up. I have always had the support of my family and my father in particular, who took me everywhere. I started with boys, because there were no girls' teams, and with futsal. I made my professional debut at 15. It was from there that I told myself that I would do my job well.

Did you suffer from prejudice in your youth?

In Brazil, there have always been people who think that football is a sport for men. But it is improving, mentalities are changing and more and more people are following women's football. Personally, it always went well, even if I heard many stories of girls who suffered from it or who could not play.

"I have always been thirsty to learn, to discover new cultures"

Why did you go to Norway?

I was 21 years old. My selection partner, Rosana, played there at Avaldsnes. She told me that the club was looking for a player from my profile. I accepted the challenge. I spent four beautiful seasons. It was a little hard at first because it is very different from Brazil and I did not speak the language. But Norway is an incredible country, it is very beautiful, there is a lot of nature and the people are very friendly. I made friends for life there.

You then joined South Korea last year. A surprising choice…

No. It was another challenge, for a season. I wanted to discover another culture. And the championship is of a good level. There are players from Africa, the United States, Brazil. I had an interpreter with me, but I learned a few words of Korean. It was hard (smile) .

Do you think you can easily adapt?

I have always been eager to learn, to discover new cultures. It's up to you to adapt to people, not the other way around. You have to accept their way of life, learn their language. I plan to take French lessons from next week.

“The look on women's football has changed with the World Cup in France”

What do you remember from the World Cup in France in which you participated?

It was great. There was an incredible atmosphere. Women's football took on another dimension with this World Cup. The look on women's football has changed. It was followed all over the world, and particularly in Brazil, where it was broadcast on the big free-to-air channels. After the competition, things started to move. More and more clubs, including the big ones like Palmeiras, the Corinthians or Santos, got involved, and the level of the championship increased.

And Brazil was eliminated (2-1 after extra time) in the round of 16 by France…

It is not a nice memory (smile) . But it was a fantastic match.

Source: leparis

All sports articles on 2020-01-17

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