Ana Borges: The Portugal record holder who didn’t expect him to be | Inside UEFA
Ana Borges set a new record of 146 appearances for Portugal against Baixos on matchday two of UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, leaving Carla Couto’s previous long-standing high behind.
Now 32 years old, Ana Borges made her debut for Portugal’s main women’s team as a teenager, in 2009, at a time when Portugal was still waiting for a first presence in the final stages of the big countries. The wait ended in 2017 and will now be repeated in 2022 in England.
“It’s a great pride for Portugal for me or any other player,” says the 32-year-old forward. “We know we are privileged because this is our second time at a UEFA Women’s EURO finals.
“For any player, getting to the national team has to be the biggest dream, and that’s why we also represent like other players who can be here, because 23 is a very small group.”
Words that emphasize the scale of Ana Borges’ feat of playing many games for Portugal and of having surpassed the record of one of the pioneers of Portuguese women’s football. The professional and the professional of the Sporting team may well not have quality but quality.
Looking back, he recognizes that he walked a path since his childhood in Gouveia, a village located in the interior of Portugal.
“I always remember where I came from – I’m a humble person,” he says. “I started playing football on earth and now I’ve played at Wembley, but I’m the same girl who started playing football on earth with my friends and brothers. I’ll never forget my origins.”
I always have myself: I am happy, my family, who always motivated me to never give up. I didn’t know that one day I would end up as a football player.”
His first football games didn’t take long for his country to represent a scheduled day or a scheduled tournament in which an audience of television audiences is vying.
“When there was a team playing, there weren’t that many women like that. “There wasn’t much information or support regarding women’s football, I looked for clubs on my own.”
I was always told by your dreams ago: “Go! Fight for it! to be. Don’t give up on what you want to be.'”
“Afterwards, I will never be able to pursue my first club either”, forget. “I look forward to returning home, which takes me a long time, which doesn’t take me long to play anymore.”
“If someone from this club were only here, the first thing I would do is show my gratitude. It’s impossible to be grateful enough for all the things they’ve done for me.”
Borgesu, therefore, has traveled a path until its history, the top of the game serving as an inspiration for young people who wish to follow in his footsteps. With more investment in women’s and youth football than ever before, and a commitment by UEFA to providing opportunities for all women and girls who want to play, the next generation can dream.