Giovanna Waksman. If you had a player on your team who scored 83 goals in a mere 21 games, you’d surely be brimming with confidence. After all, even the best soccer strikers in the world, like Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, are hard-pressed to score one goal every two games. And if that player was only 15 years old and already being mentioned as an integral part of Brazil’s plan to triumph in the Women’s World Cup at home in 2027, you’d know you were on to something very special. The devastating attacker in question is Giovanna Waksman, now living in Florida.
Both Brazil and the U.S. Want Waksman
Waksman showcases close control, superior dribbling, and potent scoring ability, which have already put her at the center of a certain kind of controversy: Should she play for the USA (where she resides and a country that’s a proven World Cup and Olympic winner) or Brazil (the country of her birth and the host of the Cup in ’27, and a needy nation that’s never hauled in either of these big Cups, despite having the world’s best female player, Marta, at their disposal for decades)?
Yet Giovanna doesn’t hesitate when choosing the country where her allegiance lies. As much fun as Disneyworld may be, the nation that’s spawned generations of incomparable soccer stars like Pelé, Ronaldo, and Neymar on the men’s side, along with Marta, Formiga, and Sissi on the women’s, all dressed up in the brightest canary yellow, is the one that Waksman will suit up for.
“The World Cup is the biggest dream you can have,” the attacking midfielder declared in a FIFA interview. “It’s a massive challenge, but I’m going to do all I can to help bring Brazil its first women’s world title.” Giovanna moved from Brazil to the USA in 2022 and now plays high school soccer and studies in Florida. Thus, she could represent the U.S. somewhere down the line, but for now has decided to run out for the country of her birth.
“I was in two minds because the USA are the biggest team in women’s football. They’ve asked me, but I’m Brazilian. I was born there, and I love playing for my country. I love it! It’s my dream to represent Brazil. Some of the USA players would introduce themselves and say, ‘Giovanna, you’re going to come and play with us in the U.S. team, right?’ I’d just stand there and giggle and not say anything,” the youthful samba striker admitted.
Just Fun and Goals for Waksman in Florida
It must be all fun and games for the girl in Florida, right? Especially knowing that John Textor was responsible for bringing Giovanna to play for FC Florida, “a college and pro preparatory academy,” with her family in tow. He is the billionaire businessman and owner of the Eagle Football Group, which boasts Botafogo, now leading the Brazilian league down the homestretch, England’s Crystal Palace, and Olympic Lyonnais in France. Marta’s Orlando Pride team is not too far away as the crow flies.
But you can guess that any ace striker who riddles foes while knocking in four goals a game would probably come under some defensive scrutiny, including some disgraceful and violent tactics designed by desperate enemy coaches. Insults from parents of opposing players and threats to hurt Giovanna are par for the course.
At the same time, the mental toughness Giovanna developed during these tough times continues to help her today. “My parents are always telling me to just focus on football. I don’t know where it comes from, but I just have this ability to block everything else out while I’m playing. This is great because I don’t feel any pressure. I just play the way I know how, and I don’t listen to all that. I don’t listen to insults when I’m on the pitch. My mind’s just set on scoring and winning,” Waksman explains. Look out world.
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