Wonder Women: NWSL conquerer Debinha has the look of Brazil's next great leader
WOMEN'S
Tyler Snipes
3 Yrs Ago
With more eyes on the National Women’s Soccer League than ever, the North Carolina Courage's quest for a historic three-peat of league titles will be well-observed, and all roads will be going through Débora Cristiane de Oliveira in 2020.
Simply known as Debinha, the Brazilian attacking midfielder has been the Courage's lifeblood in the past three seasons thanks to her technical prowess and unpredictability.
It could be best illustrated by her very first NWSL goal. Ahead of the 2017 season, Debhina signed with the Western New York Flash. The Flash subsequently relocated to Cary, North Carolina and re-branded as the Courage. In the first-ever match at the team's home Sahlen's Stadium, it was Debhina who registered the first goal.
The moment was symbolic in a fairytale way as Debhina went on to play in every game of the 2017 campaign and establish herself early on as the team's first mainstay.
Now a seasoned vet in her prime, Debinha's journey to NWSL started 14 years ago. As is the case with many footballers, life comes at you fast when you stand out at the youth level. At the age of 14, Debinha went pro with Lorena in Brazil. By age 19, she was called up to the Brazilian National Team where she has scored 34 goals in 97 caps in the time since. The mark sees her sit fifth in the team's all-time scoring ranks.
Since arriving for NWSL service in 2017, Debinha has been instrumental in leading the Courage to prominence in the women's game. Improving her year-over-year goal tallies in the league is one thing, but creating chances is an even bigger part of her output. Whether it is registering assists or simply throwing oncoming defenders for a loop with her on-ball skills, she may be the most complete no. 10 the NWSL has to offer.
"When she first came, the first couple of months she didn’t fancy playing both sides of the ball. That wasn’t going to work," said Courage head coach Paul Riley. “She took ownership, she took accountability.
"I think you could see today how many times she came back behind a ball and defended for us and closed people down. She’s a complete player."
Debinha finds herself hitting her stride at a fortunate time when there is plenty for the taking. Apart from being on the brink of leading the Courage to the NWSL's first dynasty, she has the opportunity to be the face of her national team in the near future as superstar Marta approaches the twilight of her career.
Last seen putting in the first goal in the Courage's 4-0 rout of the Chicago Red Stars in the 2019 NWSL Final, things were put into perspective for the rising star.
"I just want to help my team, I just want to improve every training, every game," She said after winning the Cup Final MVP honor. "I don’t know what to say. I just want to enjoy playing and do my best."