"It was a cry for freedom. Respect it," says Formiga, recalling the protest against homophobia in football.
Formiga went far beyond the playing field. In an interview with Andreoli Modo On , a videocast presented by Felipe Andreoli, sponsored by Superbet and broadcast on the Kwai app, the longest-serving player in the history of the Brazilian women's national team shared remarkable stories about her journey in the sport, including historic achievements, symbolic protests, and battles against prejudice.
After 27 years on the national team, Formiga retired after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. She is the only athlete, male or female, to have competed in seven World Cups and seven Olympic Games, winning two silver medals (Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008). One of the most powerful parts of the interview recalls a case of institutional homophobia, when she heard from a manager that "a woman with short hair and lesbians doesn't play." In response, she shaved her head: "It was a cry for freedom. Respect."
The act was a personal and collective milestone in a scenario still full of barriers for women in football. For her, prejudice remains present, albeit silently: “Nowadays there is more respect, but also more fear of being canceled. Prejudice is more monitored, but it's still there. We feel it.”
During the interview, Formiga exposed the structural gap between men's and women's football: cardboard shin guards, worn-out boots inherited from the men, lack of adequate gyms, and a limited number of uniforms—which even prevented the traditional exchange of jerseys between national teams. "Sometimes, the reserve player had to enter the field wearing the boots of her starting teammate. That's how it was in the Brazilian national team," she recalls.
Regarding the possibility of joining the national team's coaching staff, she is direct: "If it's just to put my image out there and look good in the photo, it's not for me. I want to be useful, to truly help." According to her, everything depends on who is in charge of the confederation.
The videocast “Andreoli Modo On” is a partnership between Felipe Andreoli , Superbet, and Kwai for Business, Kwai's business platform. Every week, a new episode connects the audience to the behind-the-scenes world of sports and communication with lightheartedness and humor on the official “ Andreoli Modo On ” Kwai profile.
About Superbet
Superbet Group is a technology and entertainment company founded in 2008 in Romania, with the mission of providing sports and igaming entertainment. Present in 12 countries, Superbet has operated in Brazil since 2023, being the first to obtain a federal license to operate in a fully regulated manner. A main sponsor of clubs such as São Paulo FC and Fluminense, it adopts responsible gaming practices and is a leader in compliance and best practices, being a member of the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), a non-profit trade body that represents the interests in the integrity of the largest licensed online betting companies and operators in the world.
About Kwai and Kwai for Business
Kwai, one of Brazil's most popular free apps, allows users to easily, inclusively, and accessibly create their own content and share videos online. With a mission to help people shine, Kwai believes that all the little moments in life deserve to be shared. The app is available for iOS and Android systems on the App Store and Google Play. Kwai for Business is Kwai's commercial platform, which brings together resources and tools for companies to develop and insert sponsored content into the app. With advanced technology and products, Kwai for Business can meet the marketing needs of brands at different stages of campaigns. Learn more at: kwai.com and www.kwai.com/business.
