From surprise to opportunity: Isabela Puccinelli eyes Brazil U20 spot
From surprise to opportunity: Isabela Puccinelli eyes Brazil U20 spot Isabela Puccinelli is living yet another remarkable chapter wearing the Brazil U-20 national team jersey, and this time in an unexpected way. Called up on the eve of the first friendly against the United States, when Brazil was beaten 2-0 last Saturday (11), the player went through a whirlwind of emotions upon receiving the news. The new opportunity came after changes to Brazil’s senior national team: forward Evelin was called up by head coach Arthur Elias to replace Jheniffer for the FIFA Series, opening up a spot for Puccinelli to join the U-20 squad.
The surprise became motivation to fight for space in the group preparing for the World Cup in the category. “It was a huge surprise. I woke up on the day of my college game already in match mode, and then they called me saying I was coming to the national team.
It was an immense feeling of gratitude,” recalls Puccinelli, who plays for the Arizona State Sun Devils college team. The Paraná-born forward had already been monitored by the coaching staff. Her first call-up came in August 2024, during the U-17 team’s preparation for the World Cup.
Months later, she wore the Brazil jersey again in friendlies against Argentina and Paraguay in November 2025. Now, at 18, she sees this new phase as a chance to reaffirm her place within the group. Isabela Puccinelli during training with the U-17 national team in August 2024, in Bragança Paulista Credits: Mauro Horita/Staff Images/CBF “My expectation is always to win, score goals, and I want to go to the World Cup.
I want to help the team, make the most of every moment, and take these lessons with me for life. ” Development in the United States Living in the United States for the past two years, Puccinelli plays for the Arizona State Sun Devils college team, balancing football with her Sports Business studies. Her experience in the country has been crucial to her development on the field.