Goal, happiness and tears: Nina Garrit gets emotional after scoring for the first time with the Manto
The striker, who sealed the rout against Botafogo in the Rio U-20 Cup, explains the feeling: "Something out of the ordinary"
By Rafael Rezende - in
When her alarm clock rang last Saturday (28), Nina Garrit's heart beat faster. The long-awaited day of her debut for Flamengo had arrived. Signed in 2023, the young woman worked tirelessly after recovering from a serious knee injury, aiming to play for the club she supports.
On the way from CEFAN to Gávea, a movie played in his head. From the locker room to the field, a mix of sensations until the ball rolled. The clock struck 10 a.m., and the match against Botafogo, the opening match of the U-20 Women's Rio Cup, began. From the bench, he watched the team build a comprehensive victory over their opponent. In the 17th minute of the second half, the long-awaited call from coach Celso Silva came. And the rest is history.
"Every injury is cruel, and we athletes go through very difficult times. I strengthened myself with God and my family. I found strength and was able to return to action right away in a derby, at the start of the championship... in a game that I and my teammates were so eagerly awaiting. It was an incredible feeling. Something out of the ordinary, and that's Flamengo. It's anything but normal. I can only be grateful for everything I went through; it certainly helped me become stronger and more prepared for this moment. I feel like I won," she said, with a wide smile on her face.
What was good became even better and unforgettable in stoppage time. The score was 4-0 for "Mais Querido" (The Most Beloved), and the ball was in the red-and-black's possession. Then, Nina received a great pass in the 48th minute. Wearing the number 25 jersey, the forward dribbled past the goalkeeper, scored, sealed the rout, and was immediately brought to tears. The emotion of someone whose effort was recognized. During the celebration—timed exactly as the final whistle blew—her teammates and family members were present.
"The girls helped me a lot, and I needed to experience this with them. And regarding my family, it's essential to have them around. They dreamed along with me. During the week, I said I was going to score the goal, and at that moment, all I could think about was running and dedicating it to them. It was a way of thanking them for everything they do. They mean everything to me," he said.
The winning streak was crucial for Flamengo's hopes in the competition. Now, the team will face Fluminense next Friday (3), away from home. Even with all the happiness, the athlete has set goals and knows that focus is key to winning the title.
"I'm very focused on achieving this goal with the group. I want to help with goals, assists, and whatever Celso needs. My main goal is to be a champion wearing the Sacred Mantle. The nation can expect the best from me, with drive, love, and passion," she concluded.