Putting Portugal On The Map

Jéssica Silva, Portugal

My name is Jéssica Silva, I am a Portuguese national team player and play for Benfica. Wow, my football journey has been crazy in a good way. I have been through a lot, but at the same time had the opportunity to win a lot of important titles, and to play and be around the best players in the world, who are incredible and inspiring women. And this is the most important thing. I also know they recognize me as a good player and good person and this is the one of the most beautiful things I achieved in this world - the respect and the recognition that I have on and off the pitch. 

I think I conquered some goals and dreams of my life, but nothing was easy. Normally I usually say that I was born to fight, because nothing in my life was ever easy since my childhood. Especially going through some of the bad injuries that I had. At the same time it made me stronger and appreciate every single step forward in my career. 

I always said that I wanted to play with the best players. I won a Champions League, I have won titles with my clubs. And now with Portugal , we have been working hard to be here. Some years ago it was impossible to think about the World Cup. But we dreamed about this, we worked hard, and it has been an incredible journey . We have been writing history in our country and also in the world.

The fact I can inspire the little girls with my path, with my story, is undoubtedly the best achievement. We need more girls playing in our country. The girls have to grow up knowing that they can be football players, and that they can dream. And no one and nothing can stop them. 

What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?

My teammates. My incredible teammates. The moments inside the locker rooms are my favourite , especially when we have time to catch-up, laugh, and dance with each other. I wanted to show the funniest and coolest moments before and after games or training sessions. 

Before a match I listen to music and dance. Always! If I am not dancing…something is wrong. I listen to everything, but before the game starts it is R'n'B, pop, disco and funk and some electronic songs!

For the month before the World Cup I have been training a lot with my teammates to get ready. We are really happy to have the opportunity to play in a World Cup.

What are the opportunities and challenges for women’s footballers in Portugal? What changes have you seen in women’s football since you started playing?

We are a small country, and a few years ago there were not too many girls playing soccer. It was not common. We need more girls to play to have a sustainable growth in women’s football. But things are changing fast. And this is huge. 

But at the same time, right now the Portuguese league is not very competitive. It will be. Because a lot of clubs are investing in teams and are giving opportunities to the girls to play too.

What role does football play in your community and Portuguese society?

Football moves people, football has impact, football can unite communities, and change the lives of the people. 

Football is still the biggest thing in my community. As women’s football is growing, the community is becoming more open. It has been crucial for the mentality change.

What does football and representing your country mean to you?

Representing my country is a message of believing, dreaming and fighting for our goals through football. We can be whatever we want to be. We just have to decide what we want and fight for that. Dreaming is believing. 

What are your personal ambitions for the future?

I want to keep conquering the biggest places with Portugal and my club. I want to put a mark on the football map with my country. Everyone will understand that Portugal is a country with a lot of potential and we are working hard on that. We want to be one of the best. But now we still have work to do in this process. 

What does the future look like for women's football? What do you want/expect to change after the 2023 WWC?

The future is bright. It sounds cliche. But it is true. This World Cup will make more people think in the proper way about women's football. Women’s footballers deserve all the respect. We are ambitious, we play well, we support each other. We are united to make change. We are a cause, we are changing the world.