Geyse would reasonably play soccer for hours than discuss to reporters. She is an introvert, but if paired with the ones she feels pleased with – corresponding to her Brazil teammates on the World Cup – she turns into a dancer, singer and prankster. And, although she is also shy in the beginning, she is beautiful assured when speaking about her goals.
“Winning the World Cup and becoming the first player to win a World Cup and a Champions League in the same year,” the Barcelona ahead says of the ones goals from Brazil’s coaching camp in Australia. That ambition may be very a lot alive – she was once a part of the Barça squad that secured the Women’s Champions League in June and is ready to play in her 2d World Cup.
Geyse’s occupation 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. Last season was once her first at Barcelona.
Geyse believes her transfer to the Blaugrana modified her occupation and standpoint on soccer. ,[It] evolved me such a lot in my view and as a participant. I’m tremendous‑thankful to them for rising me into what I had to be within the nationwide staff and stay there. To play my 2d World Cup being bodily smartly is truly necessary, and because of Barcelona I’ll be truly smartly to lend a hand the nationwide staff succeed in our goals.”
After playing her first World Cup at 21, Geyse feels time and experience have helped her to improve. She caught the attention of big clubs in Europe after being the top scorer in the Spanish league in 2021-22. Even though her path almost led her to England, in the end it was a no-brainer.
“Before Barcelona, I had a pre-contract with Arsenal,” she says. “But one day I was hanging out with friends and my agent called, saying that Barcelona were interested in me but they would only get back to me on Monday. I thought there was no harm in waiting, so on Monday they decided and I signed the pre‑contract with them. I didn’t have a second thought – it was Barcelona.
“It is an amazing feeling to be a Barça player. They are the best team in the world and it is a dream come true, not only for me but for those around me, those who have been by my side since the beginning.”
It all began more than 4,000 miles from Barcelona. Geyse was born in the town of Maragogi, in the state of Alagoas – the province Marta also comes from. Maragogi is known to be a beach paradise, with sky-blue waters and white sand. It is a small community, and Geyse is now one of their most prominent names. “What I pass over probably the most is my circle of relatives, the folks that I really like,” she says of existence in Europe. “I’m from a small town, so when I’m there people know who I am. It’s so rewarding to be recognized in your town.
“I also miss the food and the weather,” she says with a laugh. “I’m from the north-east of Brazil, so it’s sunny all year round. [When I moved to Europe] the cold weighed on me a bit. But after a while I got used to the weather, to the food, and nowadays I’m well adapted to Europe.”
Geyse believes this World Cup is a chance not only for her to show her work but to improve conditions for younger players. She says winning a World Cup would go beyond fulfilling individual dreams – it would be a chance for Brazilian clubs to appreciate and invest more in the women’s game. And, for her, Barcelona is an example of how to do it the right way.
“Barcelona invest so much in women’s football. I think clubs in Brazil need to take Barcelona, Lyon and the biggest clubs in the world as an example. Outside of Brazil, to me, Barcelona are the best team, while in Brazil I think Corinthians are the best. So I think clubs in Brazil should look up to Corinthians as an example, and Corinthians should look up to European clubs as well.”
Living in Spain, as a Black woman, Geyse felt hurt when she watched the racist attacks against Vinícius Júnior, who plays for Real Madrid. She recalls that another of her compatriots, the Atlético Madrid forward Ludmila, once denounced a security guard at a store for following her around so she would not steal anything.
“To see him going through that in almost every game was not easy,” Geyse says of Vinicius. “He wouldn’t have to head thru that, no participant will have to. Yes, I undoubtedly enhance him. I stand with Vini. I do know that Ludmila has been thru that too, each at the pitch and in a grocery store. It’s terrible to really feel that you need to undergo as a result of you may have darker pores and skin.”
As a woman rising up within the early 2000s who beloved to play soccer, Geyse was once impressed by means of the achievements of the Brazil squad who have been runners‑up within the 2007 World Cup. More in particular, by means of a mythical trio.
“Marta, Cristiane and Formiga have been all the time those I noticed taking part in for the nationwide staff. I all the time stated I sought after to play with them, and I completed that. I shared the pitch with Cristiane for some time. I listened to Formiga; she would frequently give me recommendation to observe the suitable trail. Fu is an excellent individual – I’ve not anything dangerous to mention about her. I might all the time pay attention to her, as a result of she was once odd, no longer most effective as an individual however as a participant. And within the nationwide staff she was once all the time a mom determine. And sharing the pitch with Marta could also be superb. To be together with her on a daily basis is fantastic.”
Marta is one of the players Geyse draws inspiration from the most. Being from the same state and skilful offensive players, comparisons arise. Geyse says: “Marta is Marta and Geyse is Geyse. Marta has her story built and I am building mine. Yes, I want to be the best in the world, but I need to work a lot to achieve this dream.”
Although the World Cup video games are within the early morning for lovers in Brazil, Geyse believes the folks will rally at the back of the staff. “For those that love soccer, there is no time distinction. Brazilians love soccer, and I do know they’re going to get up early to observe us. We’ll all the time have their enhance and we need to do our absolute best, for us and for the Brazilian lovers, for his or her sacrifice for waking up early to look at us, we’re going to input the pitch and do our absolute best there.”