“I was a terror growing up,” admits Camila Costa da Silva. She would, on the farm on which she lived, sneak into the stables and, without a harness or saddle, mount her beloved horses and enjoy a ride around.

Her mother would get back from playing 11-a-side for the estate’s football team and give Camila a tongue-lashing, but it did no good. At 31, Camila is still a certified terror. Now, though, it’s to opposition teams on futsal courts.

The Ubirata native was unplayable as Stein Cascavel finished June by conquering the Copa Mundo do Futsal – a tournament featuring 12 teams from six nations – and July by making it back-to-back Copa Libertadores crowns. She finished both with the MVP and top scorer awards.

One of the most multifunctional players on the planet, Camila chats to FIFA about wanting to become a vet, her exceptional form, the first FIFA Futsal World Cup™ and the sport’s best players.

How did you get into futsal?
Camila: I’m from a farm in the middle of nowhere. I had no access to football schools. I messed around with a ball on the farm with my cousins, my uncles, my parents, my brother and sister. I’ll admit that, for a long time in my life, I had no idea how huge futsal was. I didn’t know much about it at all. I started playing at school and I really liked it, but playing for the Brazilian national team was never a dream growing up. It was beyond reality for me. It sunk in how huge futsal is when I was around 22. Julia, who’s my team-mate and life partner, made me want to study and understand the sport. She understood the discipline, its complexities, she had experience of playing in the Liga Nacional and for the Brazilian national team. She was a great inspiration for me.

What was your childhood dream?
I wanted to be a vet (laughs). Maybe because I was a girl from a farm. I was always excited to be around horses, sheep, oxen, dogs. My two sources of joy growing up were kicking a ball around and going to the pasture with my granddad to see the oxen, getting up early to milk the cows. I just loved animals. I was a terror. I was always mounting the horses without a harness or saddle! (laughs) I used to dream about becoming a vet. My upbringing was wonderful. I felt really free, happy. My parents still live on the farm. I love going there for my holidays, on days off.

How did it feel to help Stein make it back-to-back Libertadores titles?
It was my third Libertadores title. It’s always very special to win the Libertadores because it’s such a prestigious competition. This year was even more special because the standard of the other teams had improved greatly. That’s great for the sport. We had a really tough semi-final in which we came from behind to win (beating Always Ready 5-2). The final, despite the score (a 5-0 defeat of Racing), was a really hard-fought game. What helped us a lot was getting an early goal. I was extremely happy with the triumph.

What was the reception like when you arrived back in Cascavel?
It was super cool. Our supporters came to the airport to greet us. We left the airport and went on a procession, passing specific areas of the city. The supporters accompanied us. We were celebrating, jumping up and down. At the final stop we celebrated together with the trophy.

You were named the MVP at the Copa Mundo do Futsal, and finished as the top scorer in that competition and the Libertadores. Do you think you’re in the best form of your career?
I wouldn’t say so. I think I’ve had a very good year. I agreed that I should have been named the best player at the Copa Mundo do Futsal. Not just because I was the top goalscorer, but also because of my performances throughout the competition. I was also named the best player at the competition in 2022. I think in 2022, 2023 and 2024 I’ve been playing really well, but I wouldn’t say I was better in one year than the others. I think I’ve been consistent. What I would say is that I’m more pleased with what I’ve done this year because at the start of it, I wasn’t well psychologically, mentally. So to overcome that and play at the level I have has been really special.

It’s very dangerous to use the flying goalkeeper when Camila’s on the court, right?
(laughs) I had the happiness of scoring a goal from distance in the final. I’ve been scoring this type of goal. We work a lot on marking when they use the flying goalkeeper. Our goalkeepers are very good with their feet, so we practice against the flying goalkeeper a lot.

You’re excellent defensively and offensively. Do you see yourself as one of the most complete players on the planet?
I can’t say, but I always try to put myself at the disposal of the coach for whatever the team needs. If the teams needs me at the back, I try to do the best job possible. If the team needs me to play pivot, I’ll do my best. Goalkeeper’s the only position I haven’t yet played! I always try to give me all in whichever role I’m playing. I think because of this, it’s easy for me to carry out several functions.

Why do you wear the No11 shirt?
Until last year, I thought it was the first shirt I had, but my mum told me it was actually the No12. So I can’t tell you why I like the No11 shirt (laughs). But I always try to wear the No11 for whichever team I’m playing for.

How did you feel when FIFA announced the first FIFA Futsal World Cup?
Wow. It was a massive moment for me. It was one of extreme happiness. My heart was racing. It’s impossible to even put into words. So many girls have fought for this for so long. When I got into futsal, people were already fighting for this. They fought for it and won’t get to play in the World Cup, but I hope they will feel fulfilled that it’s happening because of their efforts. I don’t know if I’ll be called up to go to the World Cup, but I’m extremely grateful to be playing futsal at a time when we’ll have the first World Cup. Whether I make it or not, I’m very happy because this is a huge step for the sport. A FIFA World Cup will grow the sport so much. Everyone is really excited. When they announced the [host nation], that was another amazing moment because you realise, ‘This is really happening’. It’s incredible, magic.

How many national teams do you feel have what it takes to win the first World Cup?
When people talk about [women’s] futsal, they always say Brazil, Spain, Portugal. Brazil are always the favourites because we’ve always won everything, but I think these are new times. We played at the Fafe Tournament and Japan really impressed me. National teams from all over the world are getting together all the time. They’re preparing so much better than they did before. The standard of these national teams has improved dramatically. I think this is great for the sport. It’s boring to see Brazil or Spain thrashing opponents. As a player, you want to win games having fought hard like we did against Portugal in Fafe. It was 2-2 and we scored in the final seconds. Those are the type of games people want to see. I think it will be an extremely high-quality World Cup.

What do you expect from the upcoming tournament in Xanxere?
We won the last Copa America with a very hard-fought victory over Argentina. We won 2-0 but it was a very close game. Argentina are a really strong side. We beat Paraguay at the Copa America but they had an important player sent off. I can’t say much about Morocco because I haven’t had the opportunity to see them, but I think it will be a high-level competition and good preparation for the World Cup.

Two fellow Stein players are going to the tournament with Brazil. What do you think of Bianca and Luana?
I think the two goalkeepers we have at Stein, Bianca and Julia, are the best Brazilian goalkeepers right now. Bianca was named the best goalkeeper in the world. She’s exceptional. I can speak with authority about Luana because I’ve known her since she was 16 years old at Cianorte. I’ve watched her development and have been really impressed. She deserved to be called up by the Seleção. She has so much potential. I believe Luana can become the best player in the world.