FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Winner Fiamma Benitez Shares Her Football With Asia’s Junpiter Futbol

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An Exclusive meet-up with UEFA U-19 Women’s Championship & FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup winner, Fiamma Benitez right after her training at Ciudad Deportiva training ground. So how did the 19-year-old striker feel about her achievement thus far? How did she feel about her called up to the National Team? And what does football mean to her? Read on…

You seem to have achieved quite a lot in football at such a young age, what do you have to say about that? Are you satisfied?
Honestly, I am surprised by what I have achieved so far but I am not going to stop, I am going to continue to work hard and achieved even better.

When did you start playing football? Does football start from Home?
I grew up with a football! So very similar to many others, my family loves football. So during my growing up, there will always be football at home, at the playground or even at the school. Naturally, I just picked up the sports.

The year 2022 seems to be a very fulfilling year for you, winning both UEFA Women’s U-19 Championship and FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Care to share more with us? Your most memorable match?
It was a dream come true as I won both the UEFA Women’s U-19 Championship and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup within 3 months! It was really amazing and that was something that I wouldn’t have dreamed about it. Ask any footballer, nothing beats the feeling of winning a world title for your country. I am proud of that. My family and I were so happy that I could be part of all these. And as which is the most memorable match, it has to be the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Final against Japan. The moment the final whistle was blown, you knew you were a world champion, the feeling was just like forever!

Photos: Courtesy of Valencia CF

You are just 19 years old and you’re already part of the Spain National Team.
The called-up to the senior team at such an age is kind of unexpected if you ask me. I didn’t expect that. But having said that, I am honoured and proud to be called up. I am looking forward to more involvement with the senior team and I also hope that I can get to represent my country in the FIFA Women’s World Cup soon.

How’s the women’s football landscape here in Spain?
Women’s football is taking a very big step lately and you can see the stadium is getting packed at our league match. Last time, it used to be men’s idols for the young players, nowadays they can have women’s footballers as their idols. I am feeling excited and I am confident the entire women’s football scene will get better and better as we move forward. The future of women’s football is very promising.

The women’s football league is ongoing right now. How do you rate yourself so far?
I am satisfied with my current performance considering this is my first season playing in the first division football. And I would like to think that I am doing well and that could be why I received the call up to the National Team. But well, yes I will still be training hard and everything looks promising to me.

Photo: Junpiter Futbol

What target have you set for yourself in the next 5 years? Will you consider moving overseas?
The League is not easy but I want to train hard and solidify my position as one of the best players in the first division football. And of course, I hope that I will be a regular with the Spain Women’s National Team and continue to help the team grow.

Overseas football is something which all footballers want. I am no different. To be able to challenge yourself in an overseas league, it is big and I am definitely open to that. However, at this point, I am 100% focused on my club, Valencia. Never say never.

Any advice for the young players who want to be like you playing at the highest level?
Have fun. Be patient. And work hard and fight for that dream if that’s what you want. But in my opinion, you must really have fun and enjoy every moment when you have the ball at your feet.

Main Photo: Courtesy of Valencia CF

Thank you Valencia. Special mention to Ace Global Accountants and Auditors, a trusted and reliable Accounting and Business Consultancy based in Singapore, for making this trip possible.