Our competitiveness sets us apart: Nathy reveals Brazil's strength

Our competitiveness sets us apart: Nathy reveals Brazil's strengthA quick cut by her opponent, a step forward, and the reflexes to keep the ball out. Against Canada, in Brazil’s opening match at the U-17 Women’s World Cup, Nathy experienced one of her proudest moments of the game: a second-half save that demanded courage and decisive action. Those qualities are now part of her identity. “It was a really fast ball that required me to read the play a little quicker because of how quickly the girl cut inside and entered the box. I was happy to make that save because I feel it was a difficult play,” she said.But Nathy did not always dream of stopping goals. Before putting on the gloves and representing Brazil, she wanted to find the back of the net. In fact, it was as a forward that she earned the nickname "Nathygol," which she uses as her social media handle. “I played as a forward, as a winger. I liked scoring goals; I wanted to be a forward. So I used that name, and everyone got into the habit of calling me Nathygol,” she recalled.Goalkeeper Nathy lines up alongside her Brazil teammates during the pre-match ceremony against Canada at the World Cup in MoroccoCredits: Fabio Souza / CBFAn unexpected change The turning point came when Nathy was around 10, playing with boys at the Wilson Goiano Sports Center in Trindade, Goiás. During a difficult tournament match in which her team was being heavily beaten, Nathy decided to leave the attack, put on the gloves, and go in goal. The team conceded more than 20 goals, but the result did not make her give up on the position. Quite the opposite: she discovered she enjoyed making saves and wanted to learn more. "Then I said, ‘Wow, this is actually pretty cool! I think I like it. I want to improve,’” she said.Nathy began training as a goalkeeper with the boys while continuing to play outfield for the academy’s girls’ team. In time, she committed to the position for good. Her talent opened doors. At a tournament in Belo Horizonte, Nathy caught the attention of Atlético-MG representatives while playing against the Minas Gerais club. After a successful trial in 2023, she became the only girl in the club’s boys’ youth setup, spending a season training and honing her skills. Then, at 13, she earned a place on América-MG’s women’s U-20 team. Although she stayed for only three months, she considers the experience important to her development. “It was the first place where I really became part of a women’s team and focused on that. I gained a lot of experience. I wasn’t there for very long, but I learned a lot from them,” she emphasized.Next came the opportunity to try out for Corinthians, a club she already admired for its women’s football setup. After passing the trial, she joined the São Paulo club in late 2024, taking another step toward her dream of wearing the Brazil shirt.Goalkeeper Nathy preparing for the match against Ghana at the World Cup in MoroccoCredits: Fabio Souza / CBFThe dream of wearing Brazil’s yellow shirtHer first call-up came in 2025, as the U-15 national team prepared for the Liga Evolución. The news took Nathy by surprise. Before long, she had the opportunity to compete in the age group’s South American Championship in Paraguay and win the title. In 2026, Nathy lifted another continental trophy, this time with the U-17 national team. “It was something I hadn’t imagined. It happened so quickly, and I was really happy. It had always been my dream,” she recalled of her first call-up.The U-17 World Cup in Morocco is another dream come true. In the opening 6–2 rout of Canada, Nathy made some outstanding saves. For her, the match was important in giving the group confidence and gauging the challenges of the competition. “I’m really happy and fulfilled, and I think we’re always striving for more. We’re ready for this big challenge,” she said.The goalkeeper also praised the qualities that set Brazil apart. “Our competitive spirit is something that makes us stand out. When we take the field with joy and a competitive edge, I think that’s how Brazil makes the difference. We’re really happy doing what we do, and our desire to win is huge. Everyone is united around that same goal,” she emphasized.The next challenge will be against Ghana in the second round of Group C at the U-17 Women’s World Cup. The match is scheduled for Wednesday (21) at 3 p.m. Brasília time, at the Mohammed VI Complex in Salé, Morocco. ‎This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.