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MY BEACH SOCCER 
Carla Couto, the most capped women in the history of Portuguese football explains the feeling of seeing the women's game evolve
With 145 caps for Portugal, a national record, Carla Couto is one of the most recognisable faces in women’s football in the country. Today, in her position as head of women’s football at the Players Syndicate, she keeps doing everything she can for the women’s game in football, futsal and beach soccer.
Like many of the Portuguese athletes and football fans, she is no stranger to beach soccer. “I love everything about beach soccer. For someone that makes the beach their ideal holiday destination, and who loves football, it is something I feel very much a part of me. So, for me, it is very special to be here and enjoy such a great competition”, she said.
“It makes us really proud to see these first steps of women’s beach soccer here in Portugal. The Sindicato de Jugadores has already put a plan in place, because from the perspective of the player, it is important to be together”, Couto added.
As one of the most important figures in the women’s football in Portugal, seeing more and more players having the opportunity to play the sport they love, as well as many more competitions taking place, provokes special emotions in Carla Couto. “I feel very proud to see that, because every year we keep growing steadily.”
When comparing women’s beach soccer, which is intaking its very first steps in the country, with the male national teams, big champions in all modalities, the final goal is well defined. “Of course that is the objective we have, to build winning teams, although we know we are still in the first stages of that process. For now, it is important to keep growing in a solid way year after year, improve our work and training conditions, and that will make us go further.”
“Now, in the very next step, we will have the Portuguese National Team officially formed very soon, and we will always be there supporting the players to help its growth at all levels. Also in women’s beach soccer, we will work towards the creation of champion teams.”
