The Isle of the Lodge at Bougival (Yvelines) was visited by a distinguished guest Wednesday morning. Pia Sundhage was present at the training center of the PSG women's team. The Swedish coach from Brazil spoke with the two Auriverde players, the Dean Formiga, 42 in a month, and the latest Parisian recruit Luana, 26.
Arrival for six months to compensate for the unavailability until the end of the season of the German Sara Däbritz, the former midfielder of Avaldsnes (Norway) and Hwacheon (South Korea) should start in her new colors this Saturday during the women's clasico against OM at the Jean-Bouin stadium. Luana Bertolucci Paixão, whose real name is the seventh Brazilian to play at PSG, after Katia (2010-2011), Rosana (February-June 2016), Cristiane (2015-2017), Erika (2015-2018), Daiane ( 2018-2019) and therefore Formiga (since January 2017).
The men's wardrobe is therefore not the only one to have been dancing samba for years. Like Valdo, Raï or Ronaldinho before them, Neymar, Thiago Silva and Marquinhos have their female counterparts. “All the Brazilians who came here made history. I hope to do the same thing, ”said the player from São Paulo, who consulted her compatriots who passed through the French capital.
"They told me to go for it," she smiles. After my experience in Asia, I wanted to return to Europe. And there was this proposal from Paris. I did not think. It is a dream and a pleasure to play for this great club, one of the best in the world, very famous in Brazil. Everyone loves PSG there. The way he treats and develops women's football has also played a big part. "
"Brazilians love Paris and vice versa"
As proof, sporting director Leonardo has already visited Bougival several times, the last of which was to resume training on January 2. However, despite the nationality of the Parisian leader, there is no actual Brazilian sector within the women's section.
It is more a question of opportunities. “We look at the qualities and performances of the player before her nationality, confirms the Parisian coach, Olivier Echouafni. Afterwards, Brazilians love Paris and vice versa. We appreciate their technical side. "
PSG has been successful in attracting its largest representative, Neymar. If he had not enlisted his female equivalent, Marta, six times the best player in the world, he could have made a good draw with Luana. "In the absence of Marta, she is the captain of Brazil," says Echouafni. She has many qualities. She quickly joined the group. We have an essential advantage with Formiga. They have a great bond. "
PSG Express
The essential newsletter for Parisian supportersI'm registering
Your email address is collected by Le Parisien to allow you to receive our news and commercial offers. Find out more
Present at the World Cup in France last summer, without disputing the lost 8th final (1-2 after extra time) against the Blue, Luana ensures that her inexhaustible teammate in the middle is "a legend in Brazil". “I have always been a big fan of her. When I was little, I watched her play, especially at the Olympic Games. Playing with her today is magic. She should have the opportunity to realize at Jean-Bouin, where 1,500 ultras are expected, that Paris is too.
