Geyse would rather play football for hours than converse to journalists. She is an introvert, however when paired with these she feels snug with – corresponding to her Brazil teammates on the World Cup – she turns into a dancer, singer and prankster. And, regardless that she could also be shy at first, she is fairly assured when speaking about her desires.
“Successful the World Cup and turning into the primary participant to win a World Cup and a Champions League in the identical yr,” the Barcelona ahead says of these desires from Brazil’s coaching camp in Australia. That ambition may be very a lot alive – she was a part of the Barça squad that secured the Girls’s Champions League in June and is about to play in her second World Cup.
Geyse’s profession began in Brazilian futsal – and after she moved to the grass, she performed for União Desportiva Alagoana, Centro Olímpico and Corinthians earlier than shifting to Europe. She then performed for Benfica and Madrid CFF. Final season was her first at Barcelona.
Geyse believes her transfer to the Blaugrana modified her profession and perspective on soccer. “[It] developed me a lot personally and as a participant. I’m tremendous‑grateful to them for rising me into what I wanted to be within the nationwide crew and stay there. To play my second World Cup being bodily nicely is actually essential, and thanks to Barcelona I’ll be rather well to assist the nationwide crew to attain our desires.”
After enjoying her first World Cup at 21, Geyse feels time and expertise have helped her to enhance. She caught the eye of massive golf equipment in Europe after being the highest scorer within the Spanish league in 2021-22. Although her path nearly led her to England, in the long run it was a no brainer.
“Earlier than Barcelona, I had a pre-contract with Arsenal,” she says. “However sooner or later I used to be hanging out with mates and my agent referred to as, saying that Barcelona had been involved in me however they’d solely get again to me on Monday. I assumed there was no hurt in ready, so on Monday they determined and I signed the pre‑contract with them. I didn’t have a second thought – it was Barcelona.
“It’s an incredible feeling to be a Barça participant. They’re one of the best crew on the earth and it’s a dream come true, not just for me however for these round me, those that have been by my facet because the starting.”
All of it started greater than 4,000 miles from Barcelona. Geyse was born within the city of Maragogi, within the state of Alagoas – the province Marta additionally comes from. Maragogi is understood to be a seaside paradise, with sky-blue waters and white sand. It’s a small neighborhood, and Geyse is now one among their most distinguished names. “What I miss essentially the most is my household, the folks that I like,” she says of life in Europe. “I’m from a small city, so once I’m there folks know who I’m. It’s so rewarding to be recognised in your city.
“I additionally miss the meals and the climate,” she says with fun. “I’m from the north-east of Brazil, so it’s sunny all yr spherical. [When I moved to Europe] the chilly weighed on me a bit. However after some time I bought used to the climate, to the meals, and these days I’m nicely tailored to Europe.”
Geyse believes this World Cup is an opportunity not just for her to point out her work however to enhance circumstances for youthful gamers. She says profitable a World Cup would transcend fulfilling particular person desires – it could be an opportunity for Brazilian golf equipment to understand and make investments extra within the ladies’s sport. And, for her, Barcelona are an instance of methods to do it the suitable method.
“Barcelona make investments a lot in ladies’s soccer. I feel golf equipment in Brazil must take Barcelona, Lyon and the most important golf equipment on the earth for example. Exterior of Brazil, to me, Barcelona are one of the best crew, whereas in Brazil I feel Corinthians are one of the best. So I feel golf equipment in Brazil ought to look as much as Corinthians for example, and Corinthians ought to look as much as European golf equipment as nicely.”
after publication promotion
Dwelling in Spain, as a Black lady, Geyse felt harm when she watched the racist assaults towards Vinícius Júnior, who performs for Actual Madrid. She recollects that one other of her compatriots, the Atlético Madrid ahead Ludmila, as soon as denounced a safety guard at a retailer for following her round so she wouldn’t steal something.
“To see him going by way of that in nearly each sport was not straightforward,” Geyse says of Vinícius. “He shouldn’t need to undergo that, no participant ought to. Sure, I undoubtedly assist him. I stand with Vini. I do know that Ludmila has been by way of that too, each on the pitch and in a grocery store. It’s terrible to really feel that it’s a must to undergo as a result of you could have darker pores and skin.”
As a woman rising up within the early 2000s who cherished to play soccer, Geyse was impressed by the achievements of the Brazil squad who had been runners‑up within the 2007 World Cup. Extra particularly, by a legendary trio.
“Marta, Cristiane and Formiga had been all the time those I noticed enjoying for the nationwide crew. I all the time stated I needed to play with them, and I achieved that. I shared the pitch with Cristiane for some time. I listened to Formiga; she would typically give me recommendation to comply with the suitable path. Fu is an incredible individual – I’ve nothing dangerous to say about her. I might all the time hearken to her, as a result of she was extraordinary, not solely as an individual however as a participant. And within the nationwide crew she was all the time a mom determine. And sharing the pitch with Marta can also be great. To be together with her every single day is wonderful.”
Marta is likely one of the gamers Geyse most attracts inspiration from. Being from the identical state and skilful offensive gamers, comparisons come up. Geyse says: “Marta is Marta and Geyse is Geyse. Marta has her story constructed and I’m constructing mine. Sure, I need to be one of the best on the earth, however I must work rather a lot to attain this dream.”
Though the World Cup video games are within the early morning for followers in Brazil, Geyse believes the folks will rally behind the crew. “For individuals who love soccer, there’s no time distinction. Brazilians love soccer, and I do know they’ll get up early to comply with us. We’ll all the time have their assist and we now have to do our greatest, for us and for the Brazilian followers, for his or her sacrifice for waking up early to observe us, we’ll enter the pitch and do our greatest there.”
