From Spain to Portugal: Pauleta's Journey to National Women's Football Glory

The Portugal Football Federation has called up Benfica's midfielder Pauleta to the national women's squad for the first time, marking a watershed moment in the 28-year-old's decade-long integration into Portuguese football. The recently naturalized player, born in Spain's Galicia region, will debut for the Navegadoras as the team pushes for World Cup qualification in crucial March fixtures.

Why This Matters:

• National team renewal: Three new faces join the squad as Portugal strengthens its women's football program

• Qualification stakes: Portugal sits in Group B3 alongside Finland, Slovakia, and Latvia, competing for one of Europe's 11 spots at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil

• Talent expansion: The call-up reflects Portugal's strategy to expand its talent pool through naturalization and grassroots development, with women's football registration surging 12.5% year-over-year to 12,851 licensed players

From Galicia to Portuguese Identity: Pauleta's 10-Year Journey

Speaking to Benfica's official channel, Pauleta described her selection as the realization of a long-held ambition. "The word is happiness. I arrived in Portugal 10 years ago, and then I grew up here, did everything here, became a woman here," the midfielder stated. "I thank Portugal, the entire structure of Portuguese women's football."

Her journey began in 2016 when Sporting de Braga recruited the then-18-year-old from Pontevedra. Two years later, she moved across the rivalry divide to Benfica, where she has since accumulated 19 appearances and one goal this season despite battling two serious injuries in recent years. Off the pitch, Pauleta earned a chemistry degree from a Lisbon university, illustrating how many Portuguese women's players navigate dual careers between sport and professional life.

National coach Francisco Neto had tracked Pauleta for months while her naturalization paperwork progressed through Portuguese bureaucracy. Her inclusion in the squad—alongside fellow newcomers Daniela Areia Santos and Nádia Bravo—signals a deliberate strategy to widen the talent base as Portugal faces critical qualification matches.

The Road to Brazil 2027: Portugal's Qualification Battle

Portugal's path to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup follows a tiered UEFA structure. The Navegadoras compete in League B, Group 3, positioned between Europe's 17th and 32nd-best teams. The group's dynamics matter:

• Finland (22nd FIFA ranking) represents the primary rival, ranked just one position above Portugal's 23rd

• Slovakia (48th) and Latvia (115th) complete the quartet

Portugal faces Finland on March 3 in Vizela and Slovakia on March 8 in Barcelos—both home fixtures designed to maximize crowd support. Only the top finisher in each League B group advances automatically to League A, while the top three continue to playoff rounds that determine World Cup berths. Anything less than a top-three finish eliminates World Cup hopes.

Portuguese Football's Growing Investment

The Portugal Football Federation has significantly increased funding for women's football in recent seasons, supporting competitive development and infrastructure improvements. This financial commitment underpins the opportunity Pauleta and other players now receive, enabling the federation to attract talent and compete at higher levels of European women's football.

The Liga BPI—Portugal's premier women's division—has concentrated resources among top clubs to improve match quality and competitive standards. These structural changes create pathways for players like Pauleta to develop within Portugal's system rather than seeking opportunities abroad.

What Pauleta's Path Means for Foreign Residents in Portugal

Pauleta's naturalization illustrates integration pathways extending beyond residency permits. Her case required 10 years of continuous presence—the standard legal threshold—combined with cultural immersion and professional achievement within Portuguese institutions. For foreign residents in Portugal, her journey demonstrates how skilled individuals can build careers and establish deep community roots within the country.

Her development through Portuguese football clubs, universities, and national systems shows the opportunities available for migrants who commit long-term to Portuguese society. Pauleta's story reflects how Portugal increasingly values skilled talent regardless of birthplace, provided they invest in the country's institutions and communities.

The March Fixtures: A Litmus Test

The back-to-back home matches against Finland and Slovakia represent crucial qualification moments. They test whether Portugal's infrastructure improvements and investment in women's football translate to on-field results. Finland has historically matched Portugal closely, with narrow margins in prior meetings. Slovakia, though lower-ranked, has demonstrated defensive discipline that challenges technically advanced opponents.

Coach Neto's tactical approach will likely emphasize possession and wing play, utilizing the speed of wingers like Tatiana Pinto and creativity of midfielders such as Pauleta. Set pieces could prove decisive in low-scoring matches, an area where Portugal has invested in specialized coaching. Squad depth will face scrutiny across two fixtures in five days, with limited rotation options.

For Pauleta, the timing represents both opportunity and urgency. At 28, she reaches the national team later than most peers, her prime years marked by injury setbacks. But her technical maturity and leadership—developed through academic study and years navigating Portuguese football's institutions—may prove valuable in high-pressure moments. "I never gave up," she told reporters. "Now it's time to take advantage of this moment."

The fixtures kick off March 3, with tickets available through the FPF website and regional vendors. Both matches will air on public broadcaster RTP, part of efforts to expand women's football visibility. Whether Portugal secures the results needed to advance depends on execution, but the foundation built through years of incremental investment has never been stronger.