Formiga: legend of women’s football debuts as a commentator for the 2022 World Cup –

Upon arriving at the studio to take the photos for the digital cover of , Ant caused an uproar: “Is it the Ant?! Look there, it’s the Ant! Thank you, Formiga!”, said the fans of our biggest record holder in the women’s soccer team. With the official shirt they went 26 years of work, 152 wins, 7 World Cups, 7 Olympic Games.

At the end of last year, the farewell of #F8rmigaInterminableor Miraildes Maciel Mota (as her mother, Dona Celeste, chose) was marked by many tears from fans. But it did not, thankfully, mean goodbye to the fields. At the age of 44, Formiga continues to play for São Paulo, the club where he started his career when he arrived from Salvador, his hometown. He also debuts as a commentator for world Cup at Globo. Check out the exclusive interview with the football legend who never lost his feet on the ground, or rather, on the ball.

Formiga wears Tank Top | C&A (@c&a_brasil) and Accessories | CeGê collection (@ce.ge_) (Petala Lopes/)

Good Shape – The World Cup is coming! How’s it feel? It’s been wonderful! The expectation is huge. I’m looking forward to it, not long. It is a privilege for few to be commenting on a men’s Cup. Before, there was no room for that. It’s been so fantastic that sometimes words fail me. It never crossed my mind to come here.

Will you travel to Qatar to be a commentator? I’ll stay here, depending on training. I will be in competition. But I would like to be there to feel everything that involves the men’s Cup. I’m more used to this energy from the female world. Women’s football is still heading towards that level.

Ant Wear T-Shirt | Adidas (@adidasbrasil) – Bermuda | C&A – Dod ( @dodalfaiataria) – Jewelry | Nádia Gimenes (@nadiagimenes) – Boots | Index (@indexconectada) (Petala Lopes/)

It is not his first time in this role. What did you think of the experience? It’s a little weird. I was on the other side, now I’m on this side. But when I commented on the Copa América, it wasn’t that thump. You just have to be very careful with the comments, without attacking the athletes and the commission, but demanding good performance.

How is it to look at your career in women’s football? Do you have the perception of the size of your contribution? I’m happy, really. But it’s not just my work, but also that of so many others. I don’t put myself on a pedestal. Women’s football is a constant struggle for many women. And we are still not at the ideal level. Who wouldn’t be happy and honored to have worked and planted a little seed? One day we will reap, even if it is not yet ripe.

Ant Wear T-Shirt | Adidas (@adidasbrasil) – Bermuda | C&A – Dod ( @dodalfaiataria) – Jewelry | Nádia Gimenes (@nadiagimenes) – Boots | Index (@indexconectada) (Petala Lopes/)

Was the beginning of your passion for football difficult? I was the only one to play among the boys, my friends’ parents forbade them to play, they were afraid they would say that girls were no good because of football. I myself was banned by my brothers, but I continued. I had no reference. Only at 14, 15 years old, I found out that there were other girls who did what I did.

When did you realize that this was your path? My business was ball, ball, ball. I came to understand that football could be a profession later, at 23, 24 years old. I didn’t feel time passing, I wanted to play football. Until I understood passion as work, I was able to enjoy my childhood, my youth. It helped me a lot.

Ant Wear T-Shirt | Adidas (@adidasbrasil) – Bermuda | C&A – Dod ( @dodalfaiataria) – Jewelry | Nádia Gimenes (@nadiagimenes) – Boots | Index (@indexconectada) (Petala Lopes/)

Was the professional discipline challenging? In fact, I’ve always had this part of discipline, even though I used to take football as a hobby. My indiscipline was wanting to play one game after another. Running was with myself, I didn’t have to preserve my body, my leg. Was it a game? Let’s go! One behind the other? Let’s go! Then, with maturity, I understood that rest is part of training, thanks to my good God!

What did you learn about focus from the profession? Mental stress gets in the way of evolution on the pitch. If concentration decreases on the field, if you don’t feel like being there, if you feel discouraged, you have to react. It was what I wanted for my life.

Ant Wear T-Shirt | Adidas (@adidasbrasil) – Bermuda | C&A – Dod ( @dodalfaiataria) – Jewelry | Nádia Gimenes (@nadiagimenes) – Boots | Index (@indexconectada) (Petala Lopes/)

Was leaving the Brazilian women’s soccer team, after 26 years of dedication, easy? I have a peaceful heart. When you program yourself for that, as I programmed myself, and you are no longer summoned, there are no regrets or doubts. In 2016, I had left the selection, but at the insistence of this little person here, I returned. I gave my best always, in every way. I encouraged, helped a lot.

Have you felt a change in relation to prejudice over the years or is it still very strong? There are still some assholes who think that football is not for women, but today it is a minority, much less than when I started. Today I can say that we have a voice to expose what happens. We were withdrawn, we were not given the opportunity. Today there is a place to speak. Even so, it receives floods of prejudice, we pass over it.

Ant Wear T-Shirt | Adidas (@adidasbrasil) – Bermuda | C&A – Dod ( @dodalfaiataria) – Jewelry | Nádia Gimenes (@nadiagimenes) – Boots | Index (@indexconectada) (Petala Lopes/)

What are your big dreams? I did one after many years, which was to take my mother to see my last match with the national team at the Estádio in Manaus. She was scared to death of planes, she didn’t want to go. I’m floating to this day! I beat life, I beat the game seeing my mother there.

Do you deal well with requests from fans for autographs, photos? I know there are people who don’t like it, but I believe we have to be prepared for that, as public figures. I haven’t changed my style, I go out in the street with my flip-flops, my shorts, the way I like it. We waited so long for this recognition and now that it’s getting it, are we going to avoid it? There’s no way to deny a hug, an attention, to the person who shows affection.

Formiga wears tank top | C&A – Oil palm ( @dendezeiro) – Pants | C&A (@c&a_brasil) – Mainly | HQ Nobre ( @qgnobre ) – Jewelry | Nádia Gimenes (@nadiagimenes) – Boots | Adidas (@adidasbrasil) (Petala Lopes/)

You are a legend, Ant! What message does it leave for other generations of athletes? The simplicity of before is here. We haven’t lost our essence, I have a sense of the value of work. What was achieved did not make me lose my way. Sometimes young girls get lost, they say they only want to ride a Ferrari. For me, a car with 4 wheels and taking me where I want to go is no mistake. What a mansion, my daughter. I want to be healthy!

Formiga wears tank top | C&A – Oil palm ( @dendezeiro) – Pants | C&A (@c&a_brasil) – Mainly | HQ Nobre ( @qgnobre ) – Jewelry | Nádia Gimenes (@nadiagimenes) – Boots | Adidas (@adidasbrasil) (Petala Lopes/)