I grew up in a musical household, with both of my parents being deeply passionate about music. Before discovering football, I completed Grade 8 in piano, music theory, and drums. Alongside music, I also explored various sports, including tennis, basketball, horse riding, gymnastics, and ice skating, although I never truly stuck with any of them.
What ultimately sparked my love for football was a Japanese anime called Inazuma Eleven, which follows the journey of a goalkeeper. My cousin would often imitate scenes from the show at our grandparents’ apartment, making me stand in front of the sofa while he shot balls for me to save. Those playful moments were my first introduction to kicking and saving shots.
I would say I started playing football relatively late—at the age of 11. Shortly after, I joined Escola de Futbol Juvenil de Macau, where I trained alongside boys and was quickly selected to train with the U-14 elite boys' team. Around the same time, I joined my school’s girls’ U-14 and U-19 teams, representing my high school varsity team in competitions held in China while I was still in Grade 7.
I am currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Sports and Exercise Science while playing for Loughborough University.
I had the honor of making my international debut for Macau in 2019 at the age of 15. It was an international friendly against the Philippines, and I came on as a substitute. It was a moment I’ll always cherish.
It was like a dream come true to train every day and play matches every Wednesday. The opportunity to complete my A Levels while playing for AFC Bournemouth at Brockenhurst College was incredible. Our class schedules were designed around training, offering a level of organization I hadn’t experienced back in Asia. The setup was far more advanced than anything I had been exposed to before. I often trained with outfield players, which helped me develop my skills with the ball at my feet and significantly shaped my playing style. Additionally, I had weekly goalkeeping-specific sessions that further honed my technical abilities.
However, it wasn’t easy leaving home at 17 to pursue my dream of playing at a higher level. I stayed with a host family for two years, and it was one of the most challenging times of my life. Homesickness hit hard, especially during COVID. Travel restrictions meant I couldn’t go home, and my parents couldn’t visit me in England. I felt alone most of the time.
There were so many things I had to figure out on my own for the first time, which taught me the value of independence. Despite the challenges, it was an incredible learning experience that helped me grow immensely, both as a player and as a person.
If you meet me in person, you’ll quickly notice that I’m not the tallest! I actually started out playing as a striker, winger, and attacking midfielder for my school’s team. Scoring a hat trick in just five minutes remains one of my favorite memories from my U-19 career. I was often encouraged to play as a striker because of my knack for scoring goals.
However, I found myself drawn back to goalkeeping. I loved the feeling of diving through the air and throwing my body to the ground to make a save. From the start, I had a key X-factor: I wasn’t afraid of getting hit by the ball or getting muddy. Still, I wasn’t sure if being a goalkeeper was the right choice for me, especially given my height disadvantage.
That all changed when I came across Aline Reis, a professional goalkeeper for Brazil who is a similar height to me. She showed me that it’s not about how tall you are but how you play. Her success inspired me to embrace goalkeeping fully and believe in my potential, despite the odds.
Living with a host family also came with its challenges. I felt extremely homesick and missed my family and friends deeply, especially during moments like holidays and milestones when there was no one to celebrate with. Seeing my friends graduate back home while I was still navigating my own path added to the emotional weight. The environment of trying to survive in a competitive sports world was incredibly tough. I experienced some of the lowest points in my life, and while there were highs, they often felt fleeting.
At one point, I even began to lose the passion I once had for the game. I’m now on a new journey to rediscover my purpose. Through all of this, I’ve realized how crucial it is to have a strong support system. Whether it’s family, friends, or mentors, having people to lean on during difficult times makes all the difference.
These experiences have taught me resilience and the importance of finding balance in a competitive world. I’m still learning, but I believe this journey is shaping me into a stronger person both on and off the pitch.
Women’s football in Macau is definitely growing, but like any area of development, progress takes time. There are certainly some challenges, particularly in terms of infrastructure and opportunities. We don’t have an established women’s league, and the level of competition is not as strong as it is in other places. However, I do see a shift in attitudes, with more young girls starting to get involved in the sport.
That said, there’s still a long way to go. The support and resources available for women’s football remain limited, and compared to countries with more established leagues, it can be difficult to find consistent opportunities for growth. Nonetheless, I’m hopeful that with time and increased investment, the situation will improve, giving the next generation of players even better opportunities to thrive.
I still have about two and a half years of university remaining, and my main focus is to give my all to achieve first-class grades. I know it won’t be easy, but I’m committed to working hard.
On the field, I haven’t won any major titles yet, so one of my goals is to win the league during my time at university. That would be an amazing achievement and a significant step forward in my football journey. I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead and to making the most of both my academic and sporting opportunities.
It took a lot of convincing for my parents to understand the life I wanted to live, and I honestly couldn’t have achieved any of this without their immense support. They’ve been my rock through everything.
I don’t have a big circle around me, but I do have a few close friends whom I truly cherish, and I’m incredibly grateful for the bond we share. I’m so glad our paths crossed, and their support means the world to me.
As for my fans, I want to be transparent and share my story, hoping it can inspire others to follow their dreams. There’s always a way if you stay persistent, put in the work, and have a plan. Keep pushing, stay focused, and don’t let any obstacles stop you from pursuing what you love!