We interviewed the player Juliana Viera to learn a little about her career, her beginning in soccer, the change of country and her experience in University Soccer, which can be useful for future players. You can enjoy the interview on video or reading.

Transcription of Noemí de Miguel's interview with the player Juliana Viera

AND: Welcome everyone to these University Soccer talks, we want you to meet the members of our team. We want you to know how our club works. What are our possibilities, what is the coaching staff and also who are our players. With all its educational and sporting possibilities, and all over the world, and I say all over the world because we are going first to Uruguay, to speak with Juliana Viera. How are you Juliana? How is everything?

JV: Hello, it's a pleasure. Well, everything very good.

AND: First, your love for football. Where does it come from? What are your first memories? Why this passion?

JV: I started playing when I was four years old, my family was always athletes, my father was a former referee...

AND: Go! How curious.

JV: Yes, but my passion for football does not come from him. But for something more personal. The fact of playing caught my attention. At school with my friends I played during recess. And one day they called me to my house, because there were no people for a practice, so I went to see how it was going, I liked it and I continued playing soccer.

AND: Juliana, you are eighteen years old now, I imagine that back then the team was mixed...

JV: Yes, it was with men. She was the only girl.

AND: Did you have to be the only girl among the boys?

JV: Yes. I had a period when I was with another partner, but she left. Afterwards he didn't play anymore.

As a full-back, I really like the way Marcelo plays. And as before, I don't have a specific one. No one in particular catches my attention.

AND: Hey, who are your references in the field? You play at the back, right? Sometimes, in the center of the field? Who are your references?

JV: As a full-back, I really like the way Marcelo plays. And as before, I don't have a specific one. No one in particular catches my attention.

AND: Have you grown up watching who? What football do you watch on television?

JV: Cristiano Ronaldo, I love him. In all the paintings he is in, I am always looking. But the Spanish, I have seen a lot.

AND: Tell me, Juliana, how you evolved until you reached Liverpool, which is the team you now play for.

JV: I started with the men, it was quite a while, until at one point I found out that there was women's football. And I decided to join a cadre called Colom, and after that, we had a group of colleagues who joined together with a DT, and from there the idea of being able to form a cadre at the level arose. Liverpool gave us a hand, so now we are here.

At the local level, I think that women's football here is not as developed as it could be. There is still a lot to do, but we are on the right track. And compared internationally, with some countries we can be even, with others the difference is quite noticeable.

AND: That's great, and how is women's soccer in Uruguay now? Because you have reached the international level, the South American under 20, to compete against Brazil. What is your level, how is the league in national competition, and above all, how do you see yourself internationally?

JV: At the local level, I think that women's football here is not as developed as it could be. There is still a lot to do, but we are on the right track. And compared internationally, with some countries we can be even, with others the difference is quite noticeable.

AND: How exactly did you see yourself competing against Brazil, for example? That in women's soccer it has always been a reference, as the United States has been and as Spain is also beginning to be. How did you dress?

JV: Sometimes at a good level, couples, but there were times when their physical appearance stood out much more.

AND: Well Juliana, tell me, after that national experience, the experience also in the South American under 20, because you decide on Join our University Soccer team to take the step, to go to the United States. Study there, and also see what your options are and be able to compete as a soccer player.

JV: My brother went to the United States previously, and from there I became passionate about wanting to go abroad to play soccer. I was excited about being part of the team.

AND: Who says it... He is actually the reference because he also tells you his experience, right?

JV: Yes, he left later.

AND: And in your case you are going to South Alabama, which was conference champion last year. Are you motivated precisely by that, to see that it is a team that has given a level?

JV: Yes, I was looking at his page a lot and talking to the coach. I am very struck by the structure of the university, I want to study, here in Uruguay, for example, what I want to study is not given, it is not taught. And having that option is also good and at a football level it amazes me and leaves me looking forward.

At first I think they were a little nervous about what might happen next. With the experience of my brother, my sister and now I, I think that since it is something we like, we are passionate about, and we really want to do it, they support us.

AND: Of course, it is also important to combine studying with the possibility of playing football, and what are you going to study?

JV: exercise science

AND: Of course, how nice, everything related to sports.

JV: Yeah.

AND: What do you have in mind when you turn precisely to University Soccer for your future, to take this very important step. What is your goal, what would you like to be when you grow up, so to speak? You are already old enough and mature enough. But what are you looking for with this step that you are going to take in 2021?

JV: Acquire new knowledge both within what football is, both in sports and in studies. And grow, learn and acquire everything it can teach me.

AND: In your house, I imagine they are already used to it, due to your brother's experience, but what worries parents the most at this moment? Because we know that it is something that many footballers stumble over a bit. Because you know, parents are like: “oh, how are you going to go away?” What worried them and what have they learned is good for you? Because your brother has already taken the step and you are going to do it too. What convinced them?

JV: At first I think they were a little nervous about what might happen next. With the experience of my brother, my sister and now I, I think that since it is something we like, we are passionate about, and we really want to do it, they support us.

Above all, what they expect is that we are well, that we feel comfortable.

AND: Therefore, Juliana, what would you say to all those boys and girls who have a little doubt and even more so in this situation that we are experiencing now, which fills us with uncertainty that a pandemic is holding us all back a little and creating this expectation? about the future. How would you encourage them to take the step you have taken?

JV: If they really want to do it, make them dare, it is an opportunity that will not always be found. It's something unique, encourage them. If they really want it, let them do it. Let them comment, see the options there are.

AND: Thank you very much Juliana, for having been with us, for telling us your experience and encouraging all the kids to also be part of University Soccer.

JV: Thank you very much for the opportunity and to the University Soccer team.