Gabi Portilho looks back on Brazil’s brilliant Olympic campaign and the groundwork it has laid for a Women’s World Cup title chase.
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Gabi Portilho was a key member of Brazil’s silver medal-winning team at Paris 2024
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She spoke about her knockout stage goals against France and Spain
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The midfielder is motivated to help her country win a first Women’s World Cup
Gabi Portilho was one of Brazil’s stars during their silver medal campaign at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024. She is very familiar with the DNA of this Brazilian national team led by Arthur Elias: She plays for Corinthians, a club that won multiple championships with him as coach, and is a real influence in the Seleção. The competitive mindset is there, making Brazil a team on the up.
The turning point came in August during the Olympics’ knockout stages, when Brazil defeated European giants France and Spain – with Gabi Portilho scoring in both matches – to reach the final against USA. The dream of gold was denied in a narrow 1–0 loss, but Brazil were back to being lauded and applauded by their fans. The campaign restored confidence and pride in Brazilian women’s football.
Months later, players like Gabi Portilho have had time to reflect on that Olympic campaign. What fuelled Brazil’s resurgence in the knockout phase after a difficult group stage? And what was missing for the gold? Speaking with FIFA, Gabi Portilho addressed those questions and talked about the dream of winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ on home soil.
FIFA: You and Arthur Elias have worked together for a long time. What was your reaction when he was chosen to be the head coach of the Seleção?
Gabi Portilho: He really deserved it. For everything he’s done in women’s football and at Corinthians, he deserved to coach the Seleção and get the recognition he’s now receiving. So, I was really happy because he worked hard for this. But at no point did I think I’d be called up just because he knows me. On the contrary, the demands would be even higher.
In the Olympics, what made you all raise your game from the group stage to the knockout phase?
This shift came after the loss to Japan, when we went into the match against Spain relying on other results to go our way. I think that woke us up, and made us realise that we were in a unique situation that would never come again, so we had to give our all, and seize the opportunity like never before. From then on, we went into the knockout phase determined to live out our dreams and make it count. Everything that happened in the group stage was crucial in changing our mentality and approach in the knockouts..
Late in the quarter-final against France, you intercepted the ball in front of the goal. What went through your mind in those decisive seconds before scoring?
Honestly, I don’t even know what I was thinking – I just went for it. God used me in that moment, because when I watch the goal today, I still can’t believe it, you know? I really don’t remember. I don’t even remember picking a corner or looking at the goalkeeper! It was definitely the most important goal of my life, in the most important match I had played in. It is etched in my memory forever; it still gets to me.
Your goal against France came from forcing the opponent into a mistake and intercepting the ball. Against Spain, it was a move from the training ground, and you knew where you needed to be to receive the pass. Which goal was more satisfying?
They were different kinds of goals. I think the one against France was great because I was believing until the end, while the one against Spain was something we had worked on; after playing with Yasmim at Corinthians, I know her well, and her cross was excellent. Both goals were really memorable, but I think the one against France was more special for me because it eliminated them on their home turf and put us into an Olympic semi-final.
What was missing from Brazil winning the gold medal?
What was missing was putting the ball in the back of the net. We had many chances but ended up wasting them, so I think what was missing was scoring. But we’re just at the beginning. Although the project is still in its early stages, after 16 years, we reached an Olympic final. Brazil are on the right path to achieving more success, reaching finals, and winning gold in other competitions. It’s about work, right? Work, work, and work, because nothing is won in advance. Brazil are coming back again, and that’s what matters.
What is the importance of that silver medal?
That silver medal is worth gold for everything we achieved. After 16 years, we made it to a final, eliminating the host nation [France] and beating the reigning world champions, Spain. So, despite the result, we have to value everything we accomplished. It was the first Olympics of many. We must appreciate Brazilian women’s football, which is growing, and this silver medal showed that the potential is there, that Brazil can go further.
I confess that I had mixed emotions; we deserved the gold for everything we did there. We had lots of chances, and we could have killed the game off; but at the same time, I’m proud of everything we achieved, of reaching the final after so many years, and of taking home the silver with such a young team and a project that’s still in its early stages. It still hasn’t sunk in; sometimes I look at the medal and can’t believe it. I’m very proud and very happy with everything Brazil are building.
Is it your dream to play in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil in 2027?
Absolutely, my dream is to play in a World Cup, especially at home in Brazil, so I’m going to work very hard to be there, to help, and to get the gold.
How can you maintain this level to be able to play in the World Cup?
I don’t really think about my age, because I don’t feel like I’m 29 now, but I hope to be in good shape. I’ll work and take care of my body, because we know it’s much harder for women, but I hope to be there, to experience it at home, and to get the gold medal we’ve dreamed of for Brazil.
Does the fact that you’ve all become used to competing for titles with Corinthians and playing big games every year give this Brazilian team an edge?
Going through so many knockouts, finals, and titles with Corinthians has really helped us mature, and given us a mental strength. Because it’s not just physical; it’s much more about mentality during the game, especially in big matches. It’s really helped to experience such big moments here at Corinthians. We’ve developed the mental toughness to deal with games like that.
