Gi Fernandes relishes chance with the senior women's national team
Gi Fernandes relishes chance with the senior women's national team In February of this year, Gi Fernandes was called up to the Senior Women’s National Team for the first time, but she was unable to join the squad after suffering an injury to her right thigh. Two months later, she finally joined the Canarinha. In an interview with CBF TV, the full-back revealed what it was like to hear her name for the first time in Arthur Elias’ squad announcement.
“I was hopeful, but I was on a plane with no internet while the squad announcement was happening. When we landed and I turned airplane mode off on my phone, I saw a lot of messages and thought: 'My God, I’ve been called up'. I cried and was very happy.
My whole family was waiting for it too, so it was a really special moment,” she said. A few days after this moment of happiness, the player suffered an injury and was unable to join the Brazil squad for the friendlies against Costa Rica, Venezuela and Mexico. She spoke about how difficult that moment was, but emphasized that she is happy about the opportunity in the FIFA Series, especially because the matches will be in Brazil.
“At the moment of the match, when I felt it was a different kind of pain, it was really bad. When I went to the hospital for the tests, I was hoping it wasn’t anything serious. I was very sad, it was a difficult day for me, but it happens.
I think this call-up is even more special because it’s here in Brazil and my family will be able to watch the matches,” she said. Gi Fernandes during her first training session with the Senior Women’s National Team Credits: Lívia Villas Boas/CBF YOUTH-LEVEL HISTORY Although this is her first time with the senior national team, Gi Fernandes already knows a little about what it feels like to wear the Canarinha. A two-time South American champion with Brazil’s Women’s U-20 National Team, the full-back had a long spell in Brazil’s youth setup and highlighted how important that experience was for her growth as an athlete.