Sissi: "The 1999 World Cup changed my life and my generation!"
25 years ago, the 1999 Women's World Cup changed the sport. Brazil's Sissi was one of the stars of that era and of that tournament. She took the time to talk to Ballverliebt about then - and now.
If traffic allows it, the drive from Oakland to Walnut Creek takes hardly more than 20 minutes along California’s State Route 24. The town itself is largely unremarkable. It is the home, though, of Walnut Creek Surf Soccer Club. Affiliated to it’s namesake club in San Diego, it offers Youth Programs at grassroots level.
Sissi is a member of the Surf’s coaching staff. An elegant and technically gifted No. 10, the Brazilian was one of the early stars of Women’s Soccer and with seven goals, she was tied with China’s Sun Wen to win the Golden Boot of the 1999 Women’s World Cup in the United States. That tournament marked the first time that organizers would dare to hold the Women’s World Cup as a full-scale event just like the Men’s World Cup in the USA five years prior to that.
It was a huge gamble that paid off tremendously and it made the likes of Mia Hamm, Sun Wen and Sissi household names. Now, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of that tournament, Ballverliebt asked Sissi to talk about that tournament, what it meant for her and for Women’s Soccer in general - and about the state of the game right now with her home country Brazil winning the right to host the next Women’s World Cup in 2027.
Sissi, the 1999 Women’s World Cup was a big deal. But was it really the breakthrough for Women’s Soccer as a whole – or only for Women’s Soccer in the United States?
The 1999 tournament changed my life, my generation. Whenever I talk about what happened back then, I still have goosebumps, to play in those packed stadiums – we never thought we’d ever play in front of so many people. I do believe that after 1999, Women’s Soccer changed forever, although of course, it did take longer outside of the USA.
In Brazil, Women’s Soccer was banned until 1979, considerably longer than in other countries, and it wouldn’t be until 1983 that the Brazilian Federation had regulations in place. How were you treated by Clubs, the Federation, by Men in general, after than ban was eventually lifted?
There was some resistance, for sure, because we wanted to have our own identity. We wanted to prove that we can do it as well. We were the pioneers, we had to fight for our opportunities. It was not easy, but now I can look back and say, yes, it was worth it.
You were 13 years old when the ban was lifted and 16 years old when CBF passed regulations. But you obviously started playing earlier?
I grew up in a small town in the State of Bahia. My father was a soccer player and he also wanted my brother to become one. I always challenged them. Everything they’d say to me that girls can’t do, I’d say we can and I’ll prove it. So when they played in the backyard and I said a want to join them, they told me to go play with my dolls. A when they didn’t give me a real soccer ball I started to take the heads off of my dolls and kick them around.
So technically, you were playing with the dolls.
Yes! Any my sister used to be mad at me because she was left with dolls without their heads… I used everything, socks, toilet paper, oranges. But then I started playing with the boys. I expected them to say no, but it was the opposite. They used to fight over me when we assembled the teams. I got in trouble a lot with my Mom, because my neighbours were telling her that it’s is not okay for me as a girl to play with the boys. But I didn’t care.
Nowhere in the world could women live from only playing Soccer in the 80s and 90s, so neither could you in Brazil. How did you make ends meet?
We had to find a way. I didn’t only play Soccer, but also Futsal, so if I’d had the opportunity to make a living by only playing Futsal, I probably would have leaned towards Futsal. Many players from my generation hat to stop playing Soccer because there just was no way to live as a Soccer player. But still I had to save every penny to pay my bills, to help my family. But not a lot of players had that chance, we really didn’t get paid well. I was lucky because besides me playing Futsal, the clubs that I played for – São Paulo FC, Palmeiras, Vasco – gave us good contracts.
But there weren’t really the structures in place to focus on playing Soccer.
No, my life changed only when I came to the USA in 2001 to play for San Jose in the WUSA, that’s when I became a real professional.
You’ve missed the inaugural World Cup 1991 because of an injury, but you’ve been both to the Invitational Women’s World Cup Test Event in China in 1988 and in Sweden for the 1995 Women’s World Cup. What were those tournaments like for Brazil?
For 1988, it was very much like “Let’s see what’s going to happen”. They put together a group of players from different parts of the country, but the core of the roster was made up from players of EC Radar. For me it was a dream coming true, because growing up, I’ve always dreamt of representing Brazil and I never expected there actually being an opportunity. It was difficult and challenging, because in terms of the system of playing, there was nothing, basically. It went well for us, we got to the Semifinal, but after that, the question was, what’s next, what are we gonna do?
Did things improve?
We didn’t have a lot of expectation, things changed a little bit, but not as much as I was hoping. We were waiting for CBF to do something and in 1995, again there was a bit of progress, but again not much. In terms of structure, of support, of the media, there was nothing really. We didn’t even have our own jerseys, we had to wear those of the Men.
And for the 1999 Women’s World Cup?
We had a better preparation for that, because some of the big clubs in Brazil decided to establish Women’s teams. That meant that we were able to train and be ready for the 1999 World Cup. It was baby steps.
How was the preparation for the 1999 WWC for you personally?
That’s a funny story actually, because before I went to the training camp, I had an accident playing Futsal. I spent the night at the ER and I was supposed to have a surgery because I broke a bone in my face. I said, “No, I can’t, because there’s the World Cup coming and I have to get to the training camp!” So I had to sign the Discharge against Medical Advice. It was the craziest thing I ever did!
So you played the 1999 World Cup with a broken bone in your face?
Yes. When I went got the camp, I didn’t tell the doctors there, no one knew besides some of my teammates. I had the feeling something special was going to happen. I can’t tell you why, but I felt it was my time to shine and I didn’t know if I’d get another opportunity. I admit that I was a little concerned someone’s gonna hit me.
So if someone hit you like Australia’s Alicia Ferguson hit China’s Bai Jie in their final group game, which gave Bai a concussion, you would’ve been in real big trouble?
Exactly! But on the pitch is where I’m able to be myself, to express myself. Soccer gave me so much joy and it’s a way for me to be free. I wasn’t even thinking about the injury, I just wanted to play and represent my country. It was one of the best times of my life, some of the best memories.
You romped over Mexico (7-1) and had a field day with Italy (2-0) in the first two games, after which you were already assured to go to the Quarterfinal. When was the point when you thought you might actually go deep? Because on the one hand, the 1995 World Cup wasn’t great for you, but on the other hand, you had already knocked out Germany of the 1996 Olympics.
I think that was when we tied Germany 3-3 in the third group game, it was a wild one, we scored a late equalizer. There were two countries that we always wanted to beat badly, one was Germany, one was USA. Especially the Americans, everyone wanted to beat them, because they just were the best. But after we played Germany, I said that we might have a chance. You start to dream big, and why wouldn’t you.
You knew you probably had to get at least a draw against Germany to avoid playing the USWNT in the Quarterfinal. Was that on your mind?
We discussed this with the Coaching staff but honestly, at that point, it didn’t really matter to us. If you want to win the World Cup, you have to beat the best teams anyways.
The group of players you had – Pretinha and Katia up front, Formiga behind you, Elane as a sweeper, Maravilha in Goal – how did you get on personally and as a unit on the pitch, and how was the relationship with Coach Wilsinho?
With the majority of the players, I played together at club level at São Paulo FC. We knew each other, that helped and there was a sense of unity, of mutual understanding, we were like a family. We had the same common goal, it was probably one of the best groups I worked with in every respect. It was basically São Paulo FC, the difference was the Coach. We had to adapt and to adjust to him, but Wilsinho embraced our ideas and he gave us the freedom to be ourselves on the field and it showed.
How?
You know, Formiga and me were close friends, too. She always said, “Hey, if someone messes with you, don’t worry, I’m here for you”. Thanks to her, I was able to shine a little bit more because I knew she always had my back. She was like, “I’ll do the dirty work and you go ahead and make plays”. She’s unbelievable. For those who had the chance to play with her over the following two decades, she always was one of the best.
In the Quarterfinal against Nigeria, you were cruising to a 3-0 lead at half-time, but Nigeria rallied back and forced you into extra-time. How did that happen?
You just have to stay focused throughout the game. It takes just a second and you make silly mistakes because you either don’t pay attention or you get distracted, and I think that’s what happened in that second half.
In the 104th minute, you scored your famous free-kick to make it 4-3, it was the Golden Goal. You obviously were the best set-piece taker of the World Cup, but how did you get to that level?
I just trained a lot. I used to stay with the goalkeeper every single day, to train free-kicks, corners, everything, because a game can be decided by those details. Maravilha, who was our goalkeeper, and I would have bets, who could beat whom in training. We were very competitive! So when that foul happened on Maycon for that free-kick against Nigeria, I knew it right there. I even said that to her, “you know this is it, this is gonna finish right here”. I knew. I knew because I’d practised all different angles. Some time later, I had a chance to see Mercy Akide, who was Nigeria’s Number 10 in that game, and she told me, “you made my goalkeeper cry the whole day after that…”
You played the USA in the Semifinal, the game got off to a bad start, Maravilha made a mistake and the US took an early lead. You took the game to them after that, but ultimately, you fell short. How do you remember that game?
We watched the film, we analyzed them. We were ready and we were focused, but at the same time we knew it was going to be difficult, because they were a brilliant team with the crowd behind them.
But the load of the pressure was on them, too.
Exactly. We said to ourselves, we are the underdogs, we have nothing to lose at this point, we stick to our plan, we knew who we had to stop. And so did they. Brandi Chastain later said to me that they were told not to give away free-kicks at the edge of the box. A few situations didn’t go our way and the game was over. But I think we gave it all, we left everything on the field.
There wasn’t much to separate the teams.
It was pretty even. We were proud of what we did, it was a good tournament for us. When we left Brazil before the tournament, there was not a lot of expectation, people expected us to come home early. But we did well.
Let me take a “What, if” route. Had you beaten the USA that day, would WUSA, the first Professional League starting in 2001, even have happened? Because if it hadn’t, you might not have had the opportunity to go to the USA and play there.
That’s a good question. I’m not sure. I think, because of them, we were able to have the first professional League. I don’t know.
You never really thought about that, right?
No, to be honest, that’s the first time someone’s asked me about that. They fought for their League and for themselves, they went to court with their Federation. We have to be grateful and thankful for that group. I don’t know if I’d have had a chance to come and play here without them.
So you say that the tournament itself did its thing, but what really changed Women’s Soccer was probably that group of USWNT players?
Absolutely. After coming here and playing with Brandi, she shared a bit what happened. That’s why I’ll always and forever be grateful. And to play the first Women’s Professional League with the best players… it was very special, the best of the best for sure. So I say to them every time we see each other, “everything happened because of you guys and people have to always be thankful!”
Did the 1999 Women’s World Cup change anything in Brazilian Women’s Soccer long term or was it not until the Marta days or even later?
It did change but not a lot. And to be honest, we’re still fighting for improvements. There are a not a lot of clubs who are really committed to the idea Women’s Soccer, in terms of structure, in terms of the competition, it’s not quite there yet. Maybe now, since we will be hosting the 2027 Women’s World Cup, that can change. That is my hope and the hope of a lot of players in Brazil.
It’s still better than other countries in South America, though, if you compare it to Argentina, Colombia, you name it.
Oh yes, absolutely, on that I don’t disagree. But we’re talking about Brazil! I feel bad for South America, I really do, because we are so good, there’s so much talent! That’s why it’s upsetting.
Are you optimistic about Brazil’s prospects?
It’s my dream for Brazil to win something. There’s no Formiga anymore, no Marta, but if you look at our young players, they have talent! A lot of new players are coming in. But they need the support, not only financially, but in every aspect. Why are players leaving Brazil, looking for other opportunities? Because those opportunities are not there in Brazil. It’s better that it was in the past, absolutely. But look at England, look at Spain. That’s what we dream of, to see something similar in Brazil.
So while other countries stepped up in terms of support and infrastructure in the past ten years or so, Brazil failed to take similarly big steps?
Yes.
Why?
It’s because of our culture. People in Brazil are so critical about everything. In the Men’s game, too. Right now, there is everything we have been wishing for back then, but just imagine we’d had all the support and the infrastructure.
Do you see the possibility that 2027 in Brazil could work like 1999 did for the US? It’s a hope for sure, but do you see it happening?
I think it is possible. But it will be all for nothing if we don’t start to prepare for 2027 now. No, yesterday! We can’t wait for the competition and then try to do good things. The US did prepare for 1999. People said they were crazy to go to these big stadiums, but we all saw the results. There is a chance, it might be THE chance. It starts with the people who are in charge of Women’s Soccer in Brazil. If they don’t do things right… But you have to stay positive and I’m a very positive person. I hope we can do well in 2027.
You did go on to play the Sydney Olympics in 2000, where you reached the Semi-Final again. But after that, you never played for Brazil again. Why?
Well, 1999 was very good, 2000 was not. In Sydney, I was one of the leaders. Things happened behind the scenes, and I decided to speak up on behalf of the group, and even for the next group, those who came after us. I shared my concerns within the Confederation, and I paid a high price for saying, “This is not good enough!”
Did that tension affect you on the pitch?
It affected me personally, I wasn’t able to play as well as I wanted to. After that they felt like I was a distraction for the group or creating problems. I just wanted to help. I wasn’t trying to create problems asking for change. I tried to say that we need more, that what they offered was not all they could’ve offered. When I moved to the US a couple of months later, I think I was playing my best soccer, because I was more mature, and I could focus on playing.
Did you find it easy leaving Brazil for the United States?
Oh no, it did come with the fear of leaving everything behind, and I didn’t really speak the language. It was difficult for me, but it was the best thing I ever did. I grew not only as a player, but also as a person. And I was able to prove that I was going to succeed although there were many people who doubted me when I left, saying I couldn’t do it. That gave me more strength do show one more time that I in fact could do it. Persistency is one of my big strengths and playing in the new League in the USA was very fulfilling.
Was there ever a chance for you to return to the Brazilian team?
One time they indeed decided to call me back, but they played games with me, and I hated that. I thought that at least I can go prove I belonged, but unfortunately, they changed their mind. I would’ve loved to play alongside Marta, but it didn’t happen. I felt frustration that after everything I did for 17 years, it ended that way.
Is it fair to say that people in Brazil had mixed feelings about you?
Well, it’s… Look, I never ever – even in my own home – allowed people to say, “you have to dress this way, you have to act that way”. I fought with my Grandma over this, so this started even when I was little! When a society wants you to be a certain way or to look a certain way, I say this is never going to happen.
When you shaved your hair, that must have created strong reactions in Brazil.
I did that for different reasons. It was not to shock, I was not trying to create controversy. I made a promise which I had to stick to. It was about a kid, 11 years old, who had problems with bullying because he had no hair. But people didn’t understand, they were only saying, “oh my gosh, why does she have to be this way?” That was not my intention at all.
But you did step up to be a big role model for girls especially, like saying to them with the way you presented yourself: “Be yourself, stand up for what you believe in and fight for what you want to achieve”. Right?
That is absolutely correct. Even now, my message to my players is the same: I’m not trying to change who you are. You have to be yourself. Don’t let people say you can’t do this. I took full responsibility for how I did things, I knew who I wanted to be. And I said, whatever, if they don’t like me, I don’t care. I have to be loyal to myself and the people who love me, that’s important.
It made you who you are today.
Exactly! That’s who I am, my own identity. I never allowed people to change me. Not even my Grandma!
Are you still in contact with your teammates or other players, like Marta?
I still have contact with the majority of them, with social media it’s a lot easier than before. Especially now, once in while we send a message, and I’m still close with Formiga. I had the chance to be with Marta a couple of times when she was playing here. People tried to make things complicated between us, but for me, there’s never been a competition between Marta and me.
How can there? You played in different eras, even slightly different positions.
Yes, but people like to create controversy. I don’t think you have to put one player down to lift the other up, that doesn’t make any sense. I did what I had to do back then, so did Marta after me and so will the next one after Marta. And people have to be okay with that.
Are female players the more down to earth, because they have to fight for everything and also be very aware that they won’t make enough money to live off their career after they stop playing?
We are more down to earth, yes. We have to. People like to compare us to the Men all the time, but we have to appreciate both and if you look, people now come to watch women, too. And we give more access to fans, while it can be difficult to get close to male players. But we’re still fighting for equal pay, there’s a huge gap and there are a lot of things the people still want to debate. No, no, no, no! Like I said, we want to have our own identity, but the sport is the same.
Final question: If you had a re-match of that Semi-Final of 1999, Brazil vs USA, with the players from back then – yourself, Pretinha and Formiga as well es Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain and Cindy Parlow-Cone… Who’ll win?
Brazil! No question, absolutely Brazil! Even with all the backpain, knee pain, whatever, absolutely. Because I still think Formiga can make things happen. She’s unbelievable. So yeah, Brazil, no doubt about it.
