PATRICIA DIAS TALKS FOOTBALL AND ALWAYS KEEPING FAITH


As long as my body allows me to, I will continue playing and fighting to give all I can.


PATRICIA DIAS

Born in Santo Tirso, a city and municipality located in the north of Porto, Portugal, 26-year-old Valadares Gaia FC star, Patricia Dias grew up immersed in the world of gymnastics, until football found its way into her life.

At first, it was all just for fun, days spent playing football with her brothers and watching Cristiano Ronaldo on the TV, but it soon became apparent to Patricia that she wanted more. She wanted to join a team and test herself.

Patricia Dias

Her joy for the game continued throughout her youth, but she would turn her attention to the arts after leaving high school.

I went to a college named Lusófona, in Porto where I initially tried to graduate in the Dramatic Arts and Actors Formation course, completing only one year out of three due to the lack of students for this same course,” Patricia explains.

Patricia Dias

“Because of this, I was forced to quit an artistic field that I identified with, but as they say, one door closes, two windows open, so I followed another area that I identify with – sport.

“I graduated in Physical Education and Sport at a different college named Instituto Superior da Maia ISMAI, where after 3 years I took a break from my studies to dedicate myself only to football at a professional level.”

It was this brave decision that would lead Patricia into the world of professional football, playing across Portugal and taking in a spell abroad in Luxembourg.

Throughout her career, there have been many highs, but it also brought many challenges. She has battled against injuries and mental health, often questioning her ability and if this is what she wanted to do with her life. But her love of the game and competing was too much to give up on.

Once more playing for Valadares, she feels she is back where she belongs, and it was a pleasure to sit down with Patricia as we spoke about her career so far, the importance of mental health and the growth of the women’s game.

Patricia Dias


I WAS CALLED INTO THE FIRST TEAM AT JUST 16

When I was 4 years old, I entered the world of artistic gymnastics where I competed for 9 years. I discovered along my journey a love for football which I realised was greater than just playing at school with friends, and so I decided to join a football team, leaving artistic gymnastics at the age of 13.

Patricia Dias

Initially, I joined a team close to home, and after 2 years I joined the SC Leixões team, where I began my journey into senior football.

I was helped by good football coaches, who noticed a quality in me, and as a result of that, I began to climb up the age levels.

I was performing well and I was called into the first team at just the age of 16 to play senior football for the first time.

Since then my journey through football has expanded, playing for clubs such as Valadares Gaia FC, AD Ovarense, FC Condeixa, FC Differdange (Luxembourg), Famalicão FC, and now back to the home where I grew up, Valadares Gaia FC, where we are currently in Division 1 of the Portuguese women’s football league.

Patricia Dias
Patricia Dias lifting silverware during her time in Luxembourg
Patricia Dias


HEALING IS A PROCESS

One of the biggest highlights of my career so far was having the opportunity and merit of being able to reach an observation phase for the national team, a source of pride as the result of my work at that time was recognised, a challenging level that any player wants to reach initially and show their talent.

Patricia Dias

But my football career has been challenging. We all go through ups and downs and sometimes we even think about giving up. I’m not different. I already wanted to give up.

Patricia Dias

I’ve had moments when injuries didn’t allow me to give more of myself, I’ve had moments when the club’s conditions weren’t the best and our work and effort as athletes weren’t recognised. I’ve had moments when I wanted to give up and recover lost time and money.

I left Portugal in search of a different life, but I immediately realised that I missed football and competitions so much that something made me want to return.

I realised that money didn’t bring me the happiness that competition brought me. I’ve had moments where my mental health was tested so hard that I couldn’t find an answer for what I wanted to do next.

Patricia Dias

Among struggles and learnings, I am the person I am today, healing is a process but it doesn’t mean we have necessarily to stop doing something that also is good and helps us. You’ve Just got to find other ways to keep your head up and find happiness again.

As long as my body allows me to, I will continue playing and fighting to give all that I can.

Patricia Dias

STRENGTHENING FEMALE REPRESENTATION IN SPORT AND SOCIETY AS A WHOLE

Women’s football has gained more and more space and visibility in recent years. The sport provides women with the opportunity to compete in a sport traditionally dominated by men, promoting equal opportunities and showing that they can also shine on the pitch.

In Portugal, the level of competition between the teams has changed. in some clubs, we have older players with more experience who are inspirations for the younger ones and we also have foreigners who are bringing new qualities—factors like this help to improve the qualities of each team.

Patricia Dias

The visibility has been increasing year after year. We have had the inclusion of VAR in Divison 1 and this has helped in this process of professional growth that we intend to achieve when it comes to trying to equal men’s football.

When the championship itself gains prominence in the media, I believe it will be a reference for other women, strengthening female representation in sport and society as a whole.


NOWADAYS IT’S NOT JUST RONALDO

I grew up playing football with my brother. There was no model or reference at the time other than Cristiano Ronaldo.

But in reality, I just liked kicking a ball and shouting “goal” every time it passed between the two flip-flops that acted as a goal post, or laughing every time I dodged my brother and left him embarrassed.

Nowadays it’s not just Ronaldo, there are thousands of players who can be references.


WORKING ON SELF-ESTEEM IS PART OF THE PROCESS

I can say that the main references for my growth, both in football and in everything I do today, are my friends and my family.

The vibration, humility, support and pride in each person’s eyes when they see me succeed, make me the person I am today.

Outside of football, I have an artistic life. Acting and modelling. Two passions that grew with me. I do my best at what I think I am capable of and what is destined for me.

Patricia Dias

I work my mind and body in line with everything else. Working on self-esteem is part of the process.

An ideal day for me is waking up early, doing some yoga, preparing the body for activity, working out, grabbing some coffee, taking a walk on the beach, enjoying the changing colours of the sky and all that nature brings us, reading and writing down thoughts and ideas, being with friends, listening to good music, meditating, praying and get a good night sleep.

Patricia Dias


A HOME THAT I ALREADY KNEW

In another moment of fragility due to a less positive previous season, having the opportunity to represent the Valadares club was like a gift from God.

I couldn’t be more grateful. A club with a great history, a club that has had great achievements and a very positive trajectory in women’s football.

Patricia Dias

A home that I already knew, that saw me grow up, a club where I feel comfortable but that also makes me leave my comfort zone due to its rigorous demands, which opens doors and leads athletes to take the leap to other big clubs.

It has been a very positive start for the team, starting the season with two wins, where we will continue to work towards our goals.

Patricia Dias

ALL OUR THANKS TO THE WONDERFUL PATRICIA DIAS.

YOU CAN FOLLOW PATRICIA’S JOURNEY ON SOCIAL MEDIA HERE.

Trending Posts