Fresh off a stint in Brazil, Rebecca-Joy Adams sat down with KickOff to share some of the lessons from playing abroad, the elusive Banyana call-up and revealed what could be next for the rising star.
AN UNCHARTED PATH
The 23-year-old became the first South African female footballer to sign a professional contract with a Brazilian team when she put pen-to-paper on a deal with Sao Bernardo in 2022.
It was a long-time dream for Adams, who, at the time, had been playing for NE Texas Community College on a scholarship in the United States.
"It was difficult and different playing in America because Americans are very physical like the game is more physical, not very technical like in Brazil but they were very tough on the ball. But eventually, I got there and adapted very well," Adams told KickOff.
READ | Female star Rebecca Adams moves to Brazil
LESSONS FROM BRAZIL
The winger went on to open up about the stay in the Campeonato Paulista de Futebol Feminino (the women's football state championship of Sao Paulo).
"Then came Brazil, Brazil is my country man! (laughs)" Adams added.
"But no, I've always wanted a Brazilian professional contract and it came when I got here in 2022. The opportunity was for me to go to Brazil and I took it without hesitation.
"At first, I was told I was too short, I was going to play for one of the biggest teams in Brazil and they got back to me and told me I was too short to play in the Brazilian league, I said okay.
"Funny enough, Sao Bernardo then got back to me as well and gave me a professional contract and I took it immediately.
"It was difficult being the first South African there because there is no guide, whose footsteps do you follow? who do you call to ask for advice about the league and the style? so, it was really difficult but I told myself I would put my best foot forward and just believe in myself. "
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"Compared to South Africa? the playing style is the same, maybe faster, because compared to the Sasol League and Hollywoodbets [Super League], you have maybe 15 seconds on the ball.
"In the Brazilian league, you've got about five seconds. It's very competitive, the first month was very difficult for me but I grew from there. I enjoyed every bit of it.
"In terms of highlights, I played against the captain of the Brazil national team, one of the biggest teams in the world, against Corinthians, so that was special for me as well. Being South African and playing against one of the best teams in Brazil and the best in the world.
"Another thing is the amount of work we do in the gym. In South Africa, we're very good technically but physically we're not there yet and I don't think we spend enough time developing the body, the physical strength, the conditioning.
"I was a bit surprised in Brazil how much time was spent in strength training, and I think if we (South Africa) added that, we could compete with the best in the world. That's just my experience and comparison.
"But then that also speaks to the infrastructure, hopefully in South Africa we develop more infrastructure to support women's football.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR WELL-TRAVELLED WINGER?
Adams has been at her family home in Cape Town where she grew up and continues to train, but is not planning on staying for long and indicates to another move abroad.
"Spain would be great. Europe, in general, is a space I still want to play in and also a return to Brazil is still on my to-do list, to play for one of the big teams or a higher level there, that's something I still want to do," the winger added.
"We've done North America and South America, So it would be interesting [to play in Europe] and we will see how that goes.
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THE ELUSIVE BANYANA CALL-UP
For all the experience, the 23-year-old is surprisingly yet to receive a call-up to Banyana Banyana.
"My eyes aren't on the national team, to be honest. I think I'm still young and have plenty of time [to be called up]," Adams said.
She does though follow the national team with keen interest and had some praise for former teammate and Banyana attacker teammate Jermaine Seoposenwe.
"Jermaine is great, she's wonderful. We were together at UWC, such a powerful player," Adams explained.
"She played in the US as well and when she came back to UWC (University of Western Cape), she was just faster and stronger. Great movement on and off the ball. Just a really well-rounded attacker."
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