BRAZIL star Kerolin Nicoli makes no bones about what fuels her big ambition with Manchester City.
Becoming the best player in the world and winning a Ballon d’Or is among her targets.
4
4
4
And helping her new club to win their fifth Women’s League Cup is on her immediate to-do list.
On March 15 the Paris Olympics silver medallist, 25, could play in her first cup contest final since her January transfer from US side North Carolina Courage.
A first trophy win for City in three years is up for grabs when they battle Chelsea at Pride Park , with the gifted forward eager to make her mark.
It is one of their strongest hopes of domestic silverware this term with title chances slim due to their foes’ 12-point lead at the WSL’s summit.
Read More Football Stories
The 45-capped Brazil forward said: “Before I came here, when I was talking with Man City, this was one thing I was really excited [about].
“It’s a challenge but to play against Chelsea at this moment, it’s really good for us.
“They are playing well but we know how we can beat them.
“We can take advantage of that and try to win the game.
“We have enough players to do that. I know we’re going to do something really special on Saturday.”
Whilst chatting to reporters in Man City’s football academy Kerolin jokes about swapping North Carolina’s warmer climes for chilly England.
Despite the cold weather the move was no-brainer for a driven player determined to reach the top.
We can do our best to win and have the final in our hands
Kerolin Nicoli
Kerolin adds: “When I was looking for the list of the Ballon d’Or (nominees), I was looking at where the players were playing.
“Most of them were here or in Spain. So I was like, why not (move to City)?
“I want to be at the top of the list. It’s not going to be easy, but dreams are for that, right?”
Fulfilling dreams by being special on the pitch is not unusual for Kerolin, who grew up playing football barefoot against men on the streets of Sao Paulo, in southeast Brazil.
Six years after a bone infection led to doctors warning her to avoid contact sports, the forward burst onto the scene at 17 with Brazilian side Ponte Preta.
Last August she thrilled Brazil fans at the Paris Olympics nutmegging goalkeeper Cata Coll before scoring in a 4-2 defeat of Spain in the Games’ football semi-finals.
The year before she became the first South American to be named the Most Valuable Player in the United States’ women’s top-flights
Tomorrow Kerolin could become the first Brazilian to play for Man City in a Women’s League Cup decider. And she has no fear about this prospect
The forward adds: “I don’t feel pressure to be the first one because at some point I think it’s good.
“Also sometimes I don’t remember I’m the first Brazilian here.
“We can do our best to win and have the final in our hands. My mind is like, ‘I want to make history’.
“We want to take Chelsea (off the top). They are at the top, so why not go for them?”
The duel between the WSL giants will be the first of four high-stakes battles between the sides this month.
It also comes five days after the club sacked Gareth Taylor, 52, with former boss Nick Cushing, 40, replacing him in the interim.
Sandwiched between a City-Chelsea Champions League quarters knockout tie is a WSL clash, with all four fixtures to be played in ten days.
For a forward who counts compatriot Vinicius Junior, 24, among the players she likes to watch, these games are a chance to show the strength of Brazilian football.
Kerolin said: “Football from Brazil, it’s a little different and Brazilian players have a different style of play.
“They have something different. I was thinking, ‘Maybe I could bring this to Manchester and be me.
“Playing on the streets is what brought some different things, because we were playing with men.
4
“You need more power, to be faster, stronger, and that really means a lot to me.
“One player now I’m really excited to keep on watching is Vinicius Jr.
“He’s one player who makes me think, ‘if you work hard, you’re going to get things back to you’, because that is what he did.”
