Debinha - The Rising Star
SOCCER - MIDFIELDER - BRAZILIAN NATIONAL TEAM - NWSL - NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE
ARCHETYPE: THE RISING STAR
Day 95/135
Athletic Accomplishments
As a player for the Brazilian women’s national football team and the North Carolina Courage in the NWSL, Debinha is one of the best players in the world, with a promising future as the face and personality of the Brazilian national team.
Her pro career began in 2013, bouncing around the globe from Brazil to Norway, Sweden, and China before signing with the Western New York Flash in 2017. Just a few days later, the franchise packed up and moved to North Carolina, where Debinha would make her NWSL debut as part of the North Carolina Courage.
As starting midfielder for the Courage, Debinha has been a phenomenal asset. She began as a predominately offensive-minded player, known for making delayed runs and creating space to let forwards like Lynn Williams and Jessica MacDonald work. But since 2017, she’s become a tremendous two-way player, building a defensive skillset that makes her transformational on any team.
She can score from anywhere, as shown in her 2018 season, where she had eight regular season goals and scored in the final against their rival club, the Portland Thorns, in a 3-0 win for the Courage.
On the international stage, Debinha has played a supporting role, somewhat stuck in the shadow of Brazil’s most dominant player, personality, and No. 10: Marta. But as Marta ages and comes closer to retirement, all eyes drift toward Debinha, who—at just 29—continues to improve and show why she’s one of the best players in the world.
According to Courage head coach Paul Riley, Debinha has developed from a “very good player to a world-class player, definitely one of the top three in the world.” She’s got the achievements to show it, too. With Debinha in the lineup, the Courage have won the NWSL Shield three consecutive seasons: 2017 through 2019, and won back-to-back NWSL championships in 2018 and 2019. In 2019, Debinha was named Championship Game MVP.
Character Archetype: The Rising Star
Her born name is Débora Cristiane de Oliveira, but across the world, they just call her Debinha. When you’re this good, when the future of Brazil’s women’s national team rests on your shoulders, one name name is all you need.
At 29 years old, Debinha is already one of the best, most creative midfielders in the game. She can score at-will. She can pass and nutmeg defenders. And after honing her craft, she’s become a quality defender, making her dangerous on both sides of the pitch.
After just 3 seasons playing in the NWSL, Debinha has been a key part of the North Carolina Courage’s three-peat in winning the NWSL Shield. She’s also won back-to-back championships, and was selected Finals MVP in 2019.
Brazilians do not take football lightly. And having relied on stars like Marta and Formiga for years, it’s time for another superstar to emerge and take the world by storm. At this summer’s Olympic Games, Debinha will be the one to watch.