“Never just for me”: Dossena carries girls’ dreams at U17 World Cup

Before joining the Brazilian national team for the U-17 Women’s World Cup, goalkeeper Isadora Dassena had already made her mark in football. Finding the back of the net was how she first developed a trademark of her own. First with São Paulo. Then with Ferroviária, where she became the club’s first goalkeeper to score from a free kick in an official competition. Two clubs, two unprecedented achievements, and a trait that helps explain who this young player from Irati, Paraná, is: a willingness to go beyond what is expected of someone in her position. At six, Dossena chose to play in goal in outdoor football. But at nine, she decided to play outfield while remaining a goalkeeper in futsal. It was only at 12 that she committed to playing in goal outdoors, after a coach told her about potential that perhaps even she had not imagined. The decision paid off. At 14, Dossena joined São Paulo. The following year, she moved to Ferroviária, where she won the Brazilian U-17 Championship and continued building a career that now takes her to a new stage: the World Cup. Dossena during a Brazilian U-17 national team training session in Rabat, Morocco Credits: Fabio Souza / CBF Brazilian National Team Her first call-up to the Brazilian national team late last year was a dream come true. For Dossena, wearing Brazil’s famous yellow shirt means much more than representing a badge. "Being part of everyday life with the national team is an enormous privilege. Both the coaching staff and the players try to keep the atmosphere as relaxed as possible so we can perform at our best," she says. In Morocco, where she is experiencing her first World Cup, the goalkeeper has also discovered football’s reach beyond the pitch. Amid different cultures, languages and customs, she stresses the value of belonging to a group working toward the same goal. "Our national team has a very relaxed atmosphere, while other teams tend to be more reserved. It’s really interesting to experience everything the World Cup has to offer," she says. Isadora Dossena preparing for the U-17 World Cup opener in Morocco Credits: Fabio Souza / CBF Making history means paving the way While Dossena has already learned to surprise people on the pitch, off it she has discovered that her achievements can reach places in ways only football can inspire. She recently returned to Irati, the city in Paraná where she began playing alongside boys, to visit a girls’ football program. Standing before girls who dream of becoming players, she showed them her Brazilian U-17 Championship medal and realized that her own journey is already inspiring others. “I was the only girl who played in my hometown, which is small, with around 60,000 people. I played with the boys. Recently, I went back and was so happy to see that they had set up programs. I visited one of them, and there were lots of girls, all happy. It’s really nice to see younger generations believing it’s possible, especially in a small town that gets little attention," she says. "It warms my heart because we realize that all the effort is paying off both on and off the pitch. Knowing that I’m an inspiration to other people is a huge motivation, because it will never be just about me," she adds. Those words take on even greater meaning when the goalkeeper talks about the national team. Facing Canada in their World Cup opener, Brazil will take on a tough opponent and have the chance to start forging their path in the tournament. Dossena knows they will need to give their all in every respect, but she is confident in the work the group has done. "What motivates us most is knowing that we’ll give everything we have, regardless of the level or who our opponents are. We’ll represent Brazil on the pitch. We don’t just play for those who are here, but also for everyone who was part of our preparations, for the fans, our families and the coaching staff, who can’t be out on the pitch but help us all the time. We’re very focused on this opening match. We’ll give everything we can. We’ll do what’s possible, and what seems impossible too," she says. Brazil’s U-17 women’s national team kicks off its World Cup campaign this Sunday (18) at noon (Brasília time). Brazil faces Canada at the Women’s Football Complex in Salé, Morocco. The Group C opener will be broadcast live on Sportv and streamed on FIFA+ and CAZÉTV. U-17 Women’s World Cup (Group C) Brazil vs. Canada DATE: Sunday, October 18 TIME: Noon (Brasília time) VENUE: Women’s Football Complex, Salé, Morocco WHERE TO WATCH: Sportv and streaming on FIFA+ and CAZÉTV This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.