Blood, sweat and tears weren’t enough. Cristiane gave it everything to make Brazil’s squad for Australia & New Zealand 2023. When, despite getting herself into what she believes was the best shape and best form of her otherworldly career, the striker accepted her FIFA Women’s World Cup™ dream was over. And it was until today.

This morning Brazil was declared host nation for the next edition of the tournament. Suddenly, Cristiane is fantasising over being “the new Formiga”.

That may be a casual contemplation, but being at the upcoming Olympics is an obsession. ‘Mummy Cris’ – her son Bento is three – made a triumphant return to the Seleção at the recent SheBelieves Cup and is now going all out to make the plane to Paris 2024.

Cristiane, who turned 39 this week, chats to FIFA about that mission, her belief Brazil can win gold, learning from Spain, her nation staging the global finals in 2027 and whether she would retire with regrets if she doesn’t conquer a major crown at international level.

How does it feel that Brazil will host the next FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027…
Cristiane: It’s grandiose. Me and other players, we didn’t imagine this happening, a World Cup coming to Brazil. It will be absolutely magical. We have to enjoy this to the maximum. It’s amazing for Brazilian women’s football. It’s amazing for women’s football because we know that Brazil will put on a show. It’s a great opportunity for a lot of supporters – women, men, children – to see other national teams. To be able to see stars from other countries up close will be magical. The passion Brazilians have for football is crazy. They’re really, really passionate. I think it will be huge for women’s football.

Do you think we’ll see the best World Cup ever?
I think Brazil has everything to make this a magical World Cup. I think we can make it an unforgettable World Cup for everyone – the supporters, the players. Brazilians are welcoming to everyone who visits our country. I hope everyone will go home thinking, ‘Wow, it was amazing to experience the World Cup in Brazil’.

You’ve said you planned on being retired by 2027, but has this changed your mind?
Who knows? (laughs) If I take care of myself maybe I can be the new Formiga! (laughs) Opportunities in football depend a lot on how you look after your body. I’ve looked after myself because of this. To be honest, I hadn’t thought about still being a player in 2027, but a World Cup in Brazil has given me a new idea! It would be the coolest thing, but Brazil has a really strong generation of players coming through. Let’s see. A lot of things can happen between now and then.

How painful was it to miss the last World Cup?
It was very hurtful. I was left out for the last Olympics and the World Cup, and it hurt a lot. I’d prepared myself really well, on a lot of fronts, for both competitions. I knew not getting picked it wasn’t down to something professional – it was more something personal. To this day I don’t know what. It was even more hurtful because it happened that way.

Speaking of the present, you’ve scored 10 goals in your last seven games for Flamengo. Having just turned 39, you must be delighted with your form?
I’m really happy with the start to the year at my new club. In a really short space of time – five months – I’ve managed to adapt to the team. I’m really pleased with my stats and, principally, to have returned to the Seleção and played two good games. It’s a really important time for me.

After a long time away, how did it feel to wear the Brazil shirt again?
I’ve always felt great pleasure representing the Brazilian national team. It’s something I’ve felt since my first call-up, first opportunity. Every time I get the chance, I always try to give my all for the Seleção. I managed to play both games, and started against Japan. It was wonderful, massive for me. I also managed to score, help the team. Helping the team is always what motivates me.

Spain, Japan and Nigeria… what did you think of Brazil’s group at the Olympics?
I think it’s an extremely difficult group. But I think it’s an extremely difficult group for all the other teams. I think all four teams are thinking of it as a group of death. It’s good because it will be an extremely competitive group with great national teams. To have the chance to play against Spain, the reigning world champions, will be a big pleasure for us. Every team will be really up for playing against them. I think it will be a really interesting group in these Olympics. I think Brazil are being really well prepared to go far in this tournament.

What do you think of this Spain side?
I really like the way they play football. It’s really technical football, they have a lot of possession, the players play really close to one another. It’s rare to see them getting the ball, getting it forward, everyone running after it. They enjoy having the ball at their feet the whole time. Since he took charge of the Seleção, Arthur has been working on getting us to play this way. Brazil were always about playing technical football, dribbling, not hitting it long. Arthur’s getting us back to playing that way. I believe this style suits us.

Arthur called 26 players up for the forthcoming friendlies against Jamaica. Only 18 players will make the Olympic squad. Are you fretting over making the squad?
I think absolutely everyone is really anxious. It’s such a small list. Everyone’s really nervous about digging a place for themself. Everyone who’s been called up is an excellent player. Every player deserves to be in the 18. Unfortunately not everyone can be at the Olympics. It comes down to what every player offers on a day-to-day basis and during tournaments, and it’s down to the coaching staff to evaluate it. We’re all anxious over the announcement.

You mentioned Brazil want to go far at the Olympics. Are you confident you can finally win a major title?
Without doubt. Arthur gets this through to us: there’s no point going to a competition to compete; you have to go to win. I don’t believe in going to an Olympics or a World Cup and saying, ‘Let’s get through the group and then see what we can do’. No, you have to go and fight for the title. When you’re in the Brazilian national team, you have to think like this. It’s not arrogance. The other successful teams think like this. We want to be back on the podium – it’s been a long time since we were on it – and we want gold medals.

You’ve had an extraordinary career. Do you think if you retired having never won an Olympics or a World Cup, you’d always live with regrets?
I don’t think so. I think, within the story of Brazilian football, when you look at what we had before and what we have now, I can be really happy with what we’ve managed to build. I think we managed to achieve a lot from scratch. This is huge. I believe it’s worth more than a title I’m missing. Of course I’d love to retire having been a world champion, with an Olympic gold medal. I have immense pride that I have two Olympic silver medals. I feel extremely proud seeing them in my house. It would be monumental to win a gold but if I don’t, I have no doubt whatsoever that I’ll retire really satisfied with everything I achieved for the national team, the clubs I played for and globally. I won’t be frustrated at all.