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Lack of passport blocked early England chances -

Brasero   

Article by www.flashscore.co.uk/

Women's Flash is Flashscore's new fortnightly feature, dedicated to highlighting the main players in the Women's League.

Here, we'll feature exclusive interviews with the players who shine on the national pitch. Our 11th guest is Sarah Brasero,

a player from Estoril Praia.

Tell us a bit about yourself and how football came into your life?

"I was born in Norwich, England. I grew up with a brother and a father who were obsessed with football. My father is from

Madrid, Spain, and played in the Real Madrid academy, so football was always present in our family. My brother started playing

and then I got involved in the sport too. I joined a girls' team, but it wasn't enough, so I started playing football with the boys until I

moved to Ipswich when I was 16.

When I turned 18 I moved to the Championship, which is the second league in England, also a top league. After that season, I

wanted a challenge abroad, so I was considering Spain or Portugal. Then, of course, the offer from Estoril came along. For me, it

was a club that seemed to want to achieve something. They went up a division last season and are now in the top league, with

ambitious goals. So, for me, it was the best decision, and I'm really enjoying it."

Before we talk about Estoril, I'd like to know what were the main challenges you faced at the start?

"I think it was when I was called up to represent England at youth level. I had to miss big tournaments, like the European

Championships, for example, because I didn't have an English passport at the time. So it was difficult, because I missed out on a lot

of opportunities. It wasn't for lack of talent or hard work or anything like that, but because of a piece of paper, which was the passport. It was frustrating. But fortunately, now I have my passport and I can represent England."

Can you pinpoint the moment when you realised you could make it as a professional?

"I think it was when I joined Ipswich. At the time I was playing with the lads more for fun and when I joined Ipswich we were in the WSL Academy League, where we played against teams like Arsenal, Chelsea, and so on. When you play against big teams like that, it makes you want to fight to be better. That made me realise that I wanted to play at that level or achieve even greater things. I think that's when I realised, especially seeing how women's football has grown and all that, that going to Ipswich was something quite professional for me. My dad also inspired me to become a professional footballer."

Now you're in Portugal, playing for Estoril Praia. What is your assessment of this experience?

"It's been good so far. Obviously, compared to the English league, the Portuguese league is very different in certain aspects. I'd say that here they try to play more football on the ground. Whereas in England, sometimes the game can become a bit more disorganised due to the physical aspect of it. But I've really enjoyed the Portuguese league, because you can see that they want to make it grow. You can tell it's going in the right direction. It's a league that, in my opinion, could become one of the top leagues in a few years' time. Obviously, it's not there yet, but I think that in a few years' time, or maybe a little longer, it could become a top league.

I've enjoyed it so far, especially because my football is more of a ground ball game. So it fits in well with my style of play. I think I've developed more as a player here and I can show my qualities better. So, yes, I've enjoyed it."

As you said, Estoril went up last season. With that in mind, how would you describe the team's performance this season?

"Obviously, there have been challenges. But I think one good thing about our team is that we're all very united. There are some challenges, but because we're always together, always united in the dressing room, we're a very close team. I'd say that's helped us a lot to be where we are now. And I don't think anyone expected us to be doing so well in the league, especially as a team that has just come up a division. You can see that we train every day like professionals and we want to achieve our goals."

What are those goals in the league and cup?

"The league is really competitive and balanced at the moment. Obviously, now we have the new rule where three teams go down and one goes to the playoffs. And I think that, for us, we've already shown that we're a team capable of finishing at least above mid-table. We'll take it game by game. But the aim is to try and get as high as possible and, of course, to keep the club in the league. And for the Cup, I think it's again about seeing how far we can go."

Did you feel the need to adapt your football to the Portuguese style of play?

"I think I've obviously had to adapt a bit. In England, it was always very much about the physical battle, the aerial game. Naturally, as I'm a technical player and relatively short, I ended up adapting easily because that's how I play. So it wasn't a big change for me. And I think I've adapted well to it."

Four goals and two assists. Do you feel it's going well?

"Yes, it's going well. Of course I want to add to those numbers by the end of the season. But I think I've made a good start and obviously my job at the end of the day is to help the team by scoring goals. So now I want to keep doing that and add more goals and assists to obviously help the team win the three points."

What about your experience in Portugal? Have you been to the country before?

"In Portugal? Yes. My grandfather lives in Lisbon. I used to come in the summer, always to see him. But, obviously, living is a different story from simply going and sightseeing. For me, Lisbon is one of the most beautiful places, especially to live. You have everything. You've obviously got the beach, you have the city and, of course, the food is incredible. The climate is also very good. So living here has been a good experience."

What kind of things do you say to your England team mates about the Portuguese league?

"I say that it's a league that's growing enormously. Benfica and Sporting have helped boost the league a lot. But now, compared to maybe a few years ago, where Benfica and Sporting were winning 10-0 a lot of games against teams lower down the table, now we can compete against Benfica, for example, until the 70th minute. So now it's getting more competitive. In other words, the competition is becoming much more balanced. And I say how football is played with the ball on the ground. You can really enjoy playing football in Portugal. So it's definitely going to be a top five league, I'd say."

What are your main goals for the new year?

"My main goal for next year is obviously to continue representing my country in international matches. I think that, for me, is one of my career goals: to continue playing international football. I think it's the biggest stage you can play on. And then, at club level, obviously, I'm at Estoril at the moment. So I want to focus on that now. And, I don't know, see what the season can bring me in the future."

You made your debut for the England U23 team in November - how did that feel?

"When I got the call-up, I almost couldn't believe it. I'd been playing well and I knew I was close to being called up, but when I was called up it was almost like I couldn't believe it. It was a really good moment. I think playing for England and representing my country is a unique feeling. You can't compare it to anything else. It's a very special moment. And it was good because my family, who live in England, came to watch the game. It was really nice and all."

But your father is Spanish...

"Yes, that's true (laughs). But he also supports England (laughs). He's always very proud."

What do you think about the growth of football in the world? What do you think needs to be improved to make the sport even better?

"I think you can see, especially in England at the moment, how money makes a big difference. If you don't invest money, the clubs that have more money are going to prosper and be better. So I think the important thing is to have a league where all the players are treated equally, where they all get paid the same, have a professional contract. You can't have a league where there's one team where they all have professional contracts and then, I don't know, the teams lower down have players who... Some players have to work, others are paid the minimum wage. So I think it all comes down to money. You can see it well in the English league now, especially in the second league as well, with teams like Newcastle, for example, who are investing money. I think that's the main point now. And obviously it's important to keep promoting on social media. But I think that's happening naturally now. And that's how it's growing. So I think money and social media are the biggest things for women's football to be promoted and to grow."

You are only 20, but already playing at a top level. What message would you like to give to young players looking to follow in your footsteps in the world of football?

"The main message, I think, is to always believe in yourself. Because you're going to have difficult times when sometimes the coach isn't getting you playing or your team mates don't believe in you. But you have yourself. And that's the most important thing. As long as you believe in yourself and work hard, I think that, in the end, good things will come."

You said you were focussed on Estoril and on continuing to be called up to the England squad, but do you have any other plans/goals for the future? Are you a player who thinks long term?

"Obviously, I want to play for the biggest club in the world, Barcelona. I grew up supporting them. So for me, it would be my biggest dream. It's a bit strange, though, because my father is from Madrid and so is my grandfather, but they both support Barcelona. It doesn't make sense (laughs). But I always supported Barcelona when I was growing up. Besides, for me, the dream is obviously to play football as high as I can and then also to play at international level."

What would you like people to say about Sarah Brasero at the end of the season?

"I want people to know what an impact I've had at Estoril, how I've helped the club achieve its goals and how I'm a young and exciting player, because that's how I like to be known, as an exciting player. And then, of course, let people talk about my talent."

With thanks to Flashscore!