Angelina, one of Brazil's key leaders, outlines plan for USA clash

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Angelina, one of Brazil's key leaders, outlines plan for USA clash

Having played in the United States for more than five years—first for Seattle Reign and currently for Orlando Pride, alongside Marta—Brazil women’s national team midfielder Angelina acknowledges the strength and intensity of the Americans.

“In the American league, a lot of goals are scored at the end of the game, right? And that really comes down to concentration, because fatigue sets in. One advantage for our team is the substitutions, which Arthur uses very well. If there are six substitutions, he’s going to use all six,” the midfielder predicts.

Among the 26 players called up for the friendlies against the United States, on Saturday (6) in São Paulo and Tuesday (9) in Fortaleza, Angelina is the second-most frequently selected name on coach Arthur Elias’s squads, with 15 call-ups, behind only Duda Sampaio, who has 17.

The player brings the experience and perspective of someone who has worn the captain’s armband since the youth national teams. Having played for the Under-17 and Under-20 sides—the latter with which she competed in two World Cups—she was at the Tokyo Olympics and the 2023 World Cup, won silver at the Paris Olympics in 2024, and is a two-time Copa América champion, in 2022 and 2025.

Constant improvement​

On Thursday (4), she spoke with reporters about those lessons in a press conference after training at CT Joaquim Grava. “That [the substitutions] helps the team maintain the same intensity at all times. Knowing that the girls coming on will maintain or even raise the level. So it’s something we’ve been making very good use of,” she explained, recalling the last win over the United States, sealed by a stoppage-time comeback goal.

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Midfielder Angelina has worn the captain’s armband since the youth levelsCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/Staff Images/CBF

According to the player, the team has been evolving and refining its style of play, and that is why it has been getting positive results. The support of the fans is essential and can provide an “extra” in the matchup.

“They know that playing against us is very difficult, right? We hear that Brazilian players are different, creative, and that often it’s even hard to predict what we’re going to do. Especially playing here, with a packed stadium. Our fans are loud, and for the full 90 minutes they’ll be pushing us forward,” she believes.

Focus and leadership​

The focused look and calm tone of voice, essential for a leader, have one of their secrets in mental well-being, nurtured through hobbies such as reading and music.

“It’s important to have something that helps us relax our body and mind, where we can also find a little pleasure. I studied for a year, took Spanish classes, and I try to read, try to play an instrument, learn something new,” she shared. On and off the field, Angelina keeps adding to the lessons of someone who embraces responsibility and leads a group with inner peace as her foundation.

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

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