Debinha Miri: The Exciting Brazilian Queen Dominating The NWSL

Debinha Miri is one of the most exciting attacking female players in world football alongside the likes of Sam Kerr, Asisat Oshoala and Lauren James.

She has dominated in the American NWSL and won several trophies with the Brazilian national team. Debinha has impressed everywhere she has played scoring goals and winning titles. Join Footballers’ Biographies as we explore the career of Débora Cristiane de Oliveira.

Player Profile – Débora Cristiane de Oliveira

Debinha, born Débora Cristiane de Oliveira on October 20, 1991, in Brasópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil, is a renowned Brazilian soccer player known for her skill and versatility on the field.

She has played for various clubs, including the Western New York Flash, North Carolina Courage, and Kansas City Current in the NWSL, as well as for teams in Norway and China.

Debinha has represented Brazil in multiple international competitions, including the Olympics and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Player Profile Overview

Debinha Miri’s Early Life and Background

Debinha, born on October 20, 1991, in Brasópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil, discovered her love for soccer early, inspired by watching the Brazilian national team with her sisters.

Despite facing bullying and societal pressure to conform to traditional gender roles, she continued to pursue her passion, supported by her father. At 14, she was selected for a trial at Santos FC but initially declined due to the distance.

The following year, she secured a trial at Saad in Monte Sião, marking the start of her professional career and overcoming her family’s financial struggles and her father’s alcoholism.

Playing Style and Strength

Debinha is known for her dynamic and versatile playing style and excels as an attacking midfielder or forward. Her agility, speed, and dribbling skills allow her to navigate through tight defenses and create scoring opportunities.

She possesses excellent ball control and vision, enabling her to make precise passes and assists. Debinha’s ability to read the game and her relentless work ethic make her a constant threat in the attacking third.

Additionally, her flair for scoring goals, both from open play and set pieces, highlights her offensive prowess. Her tenacity and creativity on the field have made her a key player for both club and country.

Debinha Miri’s Career Highlights

Dehina Mira started her career in her home country of Brazil playing for the likes of Lorena, Saad Esporte Clube, Portuguesa, Cataratas and Centro Olímpico for a period of 7 years.

However, her European adventure would start in 2013, as she was signed to Avaldsnes upon the recommendation of fellow Brazilian, Rosana after she had signed for the Norwegian club.

Debinha Miri hit the ground running in Nowary becoming the top scorer of the 2014 Toppserien. At the end of 2014, she had a short loan spell at São José with Rosana, helping the club win both the Copa Libertadores Femenina and the International Women’s Club Championship.

Upon her return to Norway in early 2015, Debinha continued to impress before leaving Norway for Asia to play in the Chinese Women’s Super League. She spent a single season with Dalian Quanjian playing for them from February 2016 to January 2017.

The Start of Debinha Miri’s American Adventures

Debinha Miri started her American adventure by signing for the Western New York Flash of the National Women’s Soccer League in 2017. However, shortly after, the franchise was sold and relocated to Cary, North Carolina and rebranded as the North Carolina Courage.

The Brazilian starred as a first-team regular and scored the Courage’s first goal in their home stadium. She played in every regular season game in 2017, scoring four goals.

However, Debinha dislocated her elbow in the semi-final against the Chicago Red Stars and missed the Championship game, which the Courage lost 1–0 to the Portland Thorns.

Winning The National Women’s Soccer League

The following season, Debinha put on a string of impressive performances for Courage which led her to be named to the NWSL Team of the Month for March 2018.

She scored eight goals during the regular season, helping the North Carolina Courage win their second consecutive NWSL Shield and Debinha was named to the 2018 NWSL Second XI.

During the playoffs, she started both the semi-final and final, scoring in the 13th minute of the Championship game, where the Courage defeated the Portland Thorns 3–0 to win the 2018 NWSL Championship.

Debinha Miri is Championship Game MVP

During the 2019 season, Debinha played 21 games, scoring ten goals; eight in the regular season and two in the postseason and recording seven assists.

She was named to the NWSL Team of the Month for July, August, and September. In the first round of the playoffs, Debinha scored the game-winning goal in extra time to help the Courage advance past Reign FC.

She also scored the first and decisive goal in the final against the Chicago Red Stars, as Courage won the title and Debinha earned the Championship Game MVP Award.

Debinha Miri to Kansas City Current

In December 2022, Debinha Miri announced her departure from the Courage. In January 2023, she signed a two-year contract with the Kansas City Current. Since her move to Current, she has impressed scoring a goal in every two matches for the club.

Debinha Miri’s International Career

After starting her international career with Brazil U20, Debinha Miri made her senior debut for Brazil on 18 October 2011 in a 2–0 win over Argentina at the 2011 Pan American Games. Afterwards, she was named as an alternate for Brazil at the 2012 London Olympics.

She netted her first Canarinhas goals, scoring twice in a 3–1 win over Scotland at the 2013 Torneio Internacional de Brasília de Futebol Feminino and represented Brazil at the 2016 Olympics.

She was part of the Brazilian team that won the 2018 Copa America Femenina held in Chile, playing alongside the legendary Marta and scoring 3 goals for Brazil. After winning the Copa America, Debinha Miri was one of four NWSL players called up for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

Playing at the 2023 Women’s World Cup

Debinha Miri played her 100th match for Brazil in a 4–1 win over Argentina in the 2021 SheBelieves Cup. She continued to represent Brazil, winning the 2022 Copa America Femenina hosted by Colombia. Debinha starred alongside Geyse Ferreira and scored 5 goals for Brazil.

The Brazilian superstar played at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, scoring in a group-stage match against France. However, they were eliminated from the tournament by Khadija Shaw’s Jamaica side.

Personal Life and Interest

Debinha Miri has two sisters Katia and Rubiana, and she often expresses how deeply she values her family, drawing inspiration and strength from them.

Growing up, she faced challenges including her family’s financial struggles and her father’s battle with alcoholism. Despite these obstacles, Debinha’s family, particularly her father, played a significant role in supporting her soccer ambitions.

She often reflects on her journey and the sacrifices made by her family, using these reflections as motivation to succeed and provide a better life for them.

Debinha, who has been an ambassador for Nike since 2023 is openly lesbian and is in a relationship with Meredith Speck, her former North Carolina Courage teammate.

Conclusion

Debinha’s journey from a small town in Brazil to the global stage of women’s soccer is a testament to her resilience, talent, and passion for the game.

Overcoming personal and professional challenges, she has established herself as one of the most dynamic and influential players in women’s soccer.

With her ongoing success on the field and her influential presence off it, Debinha remains a shining example of excellence and perseverance in the world of soccer.