Thaís Lima: My dream was always to celebrate my birthday with Brazil

Thaís Lima: My dream was always to celebrate my birthday with Brazil

Goalkeeper Thaís celebrates her 18th birthday this Saturday (11) and was thrilled with the chance to celebrate it with the Brazil Women’s National Team. In an interview with CBF TV, she emphasized that it had always been a dream to celebrate the date with the Seleção, alongside “special people.”

“It’s a great birthday gift. My dream has always been to spend my birthday with the national team, and I’m living that dream for the first time. It’s very important to me to turn 18 with these people, who are very special and who are helping me improve every day. Now I just have to enjoy it and do my best in training and, if needed, also play for the national team, which will always be a source of pride for me.”

Thaís Lima during training with the Women’s National Team at Cuiabá’s training centerCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/Staff Images Woman/CBF

Also this Saturday, the Seleção will make its FIFA Series debut in a match against South Korea at Arena Pantanal in Cuiabá at 9:30 p.m. (local time), with live coverage on TV Globo, SporTV, GE TV and Globoplay. Celebrating her birthday on the day, the 1.77m goalkeeper is targeting a win as a gift so Brazil can begin the tournament—one she wants to win—on the right foot.

“I think a win will be very important to start the competition well. We have to enjoy the match, play with calmness and with the joy Brazil has always had, and do our best to win the tournament.”

Thaís Lima during training with the Women’s National Team at Cuiabá’s training centerCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/Staff Images Woman/CBF

In February this year, Thaís made history by becoming the youngest goalkeeper ever to debut for the Women’s National Team: she started in the 5-2 win over Costa Rica at 17 years, 10 months and 16 days old. She thus surpassed former goalkeeper Mayla, who played in the 14-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago at 17 years, 10 months and 19 days old, on July 14, 2000.

She thanked Women’s National Team goalkeeping coach Edson Junior and head coach Arthur Elias for the opportunity.

“It’s a source of pride and I was very happy, because I wasn’t expecting to reach this milestone so soon. Everything happened very naturally as well. Ed has been helping me a lot, and Arthur too, with the project they have for me. Now I just have to make the most of it, do my best in training and show that I’m capable of playing.”

Women’s National Team goalkeeping coach Edson Junior talks with Thaís Lima during training at Cuiabá’s training centerCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/Staff Images Woman/CBF

Decision to play for Brazil

Born in the municipality of Sintra, located about 30 kilometers from the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, Thaís spent time in Portugal’s youth teams but decided to play for the Brazil national team. The choice to represent Brazil came after moments of reflection and uncertainty about “leaving her comfort zone” and facing the “fear” of embarking on a new journey representing another country.

“I’ll always carry with me that fear is temporary, that we have to face it. When I was little, I was always very afraid. But we have to face it, because it will help us improve, and I’ll end up growing because of that too. I was afraid to leave my comfort zone, because I felt very comfortable there and was a little afraid because I didn’t know if it would work out.”

At 17 years, 10 months and 16 days old, Thais Lima became the youngest goalkeeper to debut for the Brazil Women’s National TeamCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/Staff Images Woman/CBF

The daughter of a Brazilian father and an Angolan mother, she highlighted her development in Portuguese football, where she has played for Benfica since 2020.

“Portugal has helped me grow from the very beginning, on and off the field, in the youth ranks, with great coaches helping me. That was very important for me, but unfortunately I had to make a difficult decision. I spent many sleepless nights thinking about it, but Portugal will always remain in my heart, and I’ll always have enormous affection for it. I want to thank everyone who helped me during my time there.”

Thaís Lima celebrated her 18th birthday with the Brazil Women’s National TeamCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/Staff Images Woman/CBF

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.