Ahead of the Under-20 World Cup, Thaís Lima highlights youth-senior links

Called up to represent Brazil at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, goalkeeper Thaís Lima heads into the tournament also carrying the experience of already having been part of the senior women’s national team. With six call-ups across the two levels, the player highlighted the importance of integration between the teams.

“The work is very similar, and they are always in contact with each other. It is very important to have this communication between the youth teams and the senior team, because Arthur also keeps an eye on the younger players. This integration also brings us knowledge, because we can see how the players work in the senior national team and become more professional all the time.”

The goalkeeper also spoke about the learning she gained during the periods she spent with the team coached by Arthur Elias and said she shares that experience with her U-20 teammates.

“Being in contact with the best athletes in the world brings me a new experience and also allows me to help my teammates. Understanding the mindset they have, their maturity, and how they work, because they are also preparing for the 2027 World Cup, is very important,” she said.

“All of this is very important for me, but also for helping the team. I have been called up for matches against great teams such as Canada and England, and being able to pass that on to my teammates here in the U-20s is very good. I think it also motivates them, because they can get there too,” she added.

Thaís Lima during a Brazil U-20 Women’s National Team training session in PolandCredits: Luciana Vermell/CBF

This will be Thaís’s first major competition with the Canarinho. Happy with the opportunity, the goalkeeper spoke about the moment and looked ahead to Brazil’s participation in the World Cup.

“I am feeling very happy and honored to be here and to be able to represent Brazil at the World Cup. I will do my best to help the team,” she said.

“A World Cup is never easy, just like other competitions and even friendlies. It will be very difficult, but we are prepared and progressing very well. So we just need to keep doing what we do best and everything will work out,” she concluded.

Thaís Lima during a Brazil U-20 Women’s National Team training session in PolandCredits: Luciana Vermell/CBF

Brazil’s U-20 Women’s National Team is in the city of Kraków, Poland, where it is holding its first training sessions focused on the World Cup. The country will host the tournament, which will be played from September 5 to 27.

On Sunday (30), the Canarinho will travel to Bielsko-Biała, where it will play its first World Cup matches. In the group stage, Brazil will face Tanzania, Canada, and England on September 5, 8, and 11, respectively. All three matches will be played at Bielsko-Biała Stadium at 10 a.m. Brasília time.

The daughter of an Angolan mother with Portuguese nationality and a Brazilian father, Thaís plays for Benfica, one of Portugal’s most traditional and successful clubs. Born in the municipality of Sintra, located about 30 kilometers from Lisbon, the goalkeeper shone for Portugal’s youth national teams and drew attention at the UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship.

The goalkeeper’s talent caught the attention of Rilany Silva, current coach of Brazil’s U-17 Women’s National Team, who got to know Thaís while coaching Benfica’s youth ranks. Given the potential shown by the player, Rilany recommended her to the CBF coaching staff for monitoring and evaluation.

After detailed analysis of her performances, Thaís received her first call-up to the senior women’s national team in October 2025.

At 17 years, 10 months, and 16 days old, Thaís Lima became the youngest goalkeeper ever to debut for the Brazil Women’s National TeamCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/Staff Images/CBF

In an interview with CBF TV in April 2026, the goalkeeper said that the decision to represent Brazil came after moments of reflection and uncertainty about “stepping out of her comfort zone” and facing the “fear” of embarking on a new journey by representing another country.

“I will always carry with me that fear is temporary, that we have to face it. When I was little, I was always very afraid. But we have to face it, because it will help us improve, and I will end up growing because of it as well. I was afraid to leave my comfort zone, because I felt very comfortable and was a little scared because I did not know whether it would work out,” she said.

It is worth noting that the goalkeeper has already made history with the Canarinho. She became the youngest goalkeeper ever to debut for the senior women’s national team: she started in the 5-2 rout of Costa Rica at 17 years, 10 months, and 16 days old, in February this year. She thus surpassed former goalkeeper Mayla, who took the field in the 14-0 rout of Trinidad and Tobago at 17 years, 10 months, and 19 days old, on July 14, 2000.

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