Brazilian Female Football Players Face Financial Struggles Amid Empowerment Efforts
New FIFPRO data highlights financial insecurities among Brazil's female footballers, while athlete Ingrid "Sorriso" leads empowerment initiatives in Itanhaém.
- • Two-thirds of Brazilian female national team players earn less than $20,000 per year, with many lacking stable contracts.
- • 25% of the players rely on jobs outside football for income, revealing economic vulnerability in the sport.
- • Ingrid de Paula Silva (Sorriso) is organizing a women’s empowerment event in Itanhaém to promote self-esteem and leadership.
- • Despite some international reforms, South American women's football faces ongoing structural and financial challenges.
Key details
Female football players in Brazil continue to confront significant financial insecurity, with new research revealing that two-thirds of national team athletes earn less than $20,000 annually. Nearly one-third of the players hold contracts lasting a year or less, while 22% reportedly have no contract at all, highlighting widespread employment instability in women's football across the country. According to a recent FIFPRO study involving 407 players from 41 countries, the primary source of income remains professional clubs, followed by national team payments. Nevertheless, about 25% of Brazilian players depend on outside employment to sustain themselves. Furthermore, many players report inadequate rest and recovery times before and after matches, with 58% deeming pre-game rest insufficient and 57% citing inadequate recovery, factors that could impact performance and career longevity. Alex Culvin, director of women's football at FIFPRO, emphasized that "financial stability is the foundation of any career," cautioning that insecurity may compel athletes to leave the sport prematurely.
Against this backdrop of financial and structural challenges, Brazilian footballer Ingrid de Paula Silva – known as Sorriso – is spearheading initiatives to empower women beyond the pitch. Sorriso is hosting an event titled "Construindo Sorrisos Para Elas" (Building Smiles for Them) on Sunday, December 21, at the Grêmio Municipal in Itanhaém, running from 9 AM to 4 PM. This free event focuses on female empowerment through self-care, boosting self-esteem, and fostering social support. Supported by Itanhaém’s Sports and Leisure Secretary Rogélio Salceda, the project aims to create an environment where women can experience care, beauty, and encouragement to take on leadership roles. Sorriso, who has herself navigated numerous challenges in professional women’s football, views this initiative as a way to give back to the community and inspire women locally.
While improvements like increased prize money have been introduced in some tournaments such as the UEFA Women's Euro, similar reforms have not been realized broadly, placing pressure on stakeholders in regions like South America to uplift standards and support the professionalization of women's football. Brazil’s female athletes continue to balance their passion for the sport with the realities of financial vulnerability, making empowerment activities like Sorriso’s vital for fostering solidarity and hope within the community.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
