From Lisbon’s academy pitches to Brazil’s senior squad, Ana Clara — better known as Clarinha — is carrying a Benfica education into a new international chapter. The midfielder, born in Inhumas in Goiás and raised partly in Portugal, has been selected for Brazil’s October friendlies with Argentina as Arthur Elias continues to shape his group for the 2027 World Cup on home soil.
Brazil will meet Argentina on 10 October at Arena Pernambuco in Recife and again on 13 October at Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre. For Clarinha, it is her first call-up for senior internationals after previously joining a training camp in Itu during the men’s World Cup break.
Quick facts
- Clarinha is a Benfica midfielder contracted to the Lisbon club until 2027.
- Brazil face Argentina on 10 October in Recife and 13 October in Porto Alegre.
- Yanne, Tamara Bolt and Carlinha are also first-time senior call-ups.
- Brazil will then play Japan in Hiroshima on 29 November and Okayama on 5 December.
- The 2027 World Cup hosts have two further FIFA windows scheduled in February-March and April next year.
The 20-year-old moved from Brazil to Portugal at an early age and settled in Lisbon when she was 13. With dual nationality and an accent shaped by both countries, she came through Benfica’s youth structure before reaching the first team.
“I have effectively grown up at Benfica,” she said. “The move to Lisbon was important in my development, both as a footballer and as a person. At a club of Benfica’s size, there is also greater visibility for the national team.”
Her Benfica record already includes seven trophies across youth and senior football: two Under-19 Women’s League titles, the Portuguese Women’s Cup, Women’s League Cup, second-division championship and two top-flight crowns. She has also featured for the club in the Women’s Champions League, including against Bayern Munich.
Clarinha can occupy several midfield roles. Benfica generally use her closer to the attack as a No. 10, while Brazil’s Under-20 side deployed her deeper in midfield. She identifies her reading of the game and passing vision as her strongest qualities.
Her inspiration in the current Brazil set-up is Angelina, a player to whom she is often compared, including in appearance. Marta and Formiga were the figures who first made her certain that Brazil, rather than Portugal, was the national shirt she wanted to wear.
A route through Brazil’s youth sides
Clarinha first played for Brazil at Under-17 level in 2022. A knee injury denied her a place at a South American championship in that age group, but she returned to international football with Brazil’s Under-20s.
In March, she helped Brazil win the South American Under-20 title and scored in the final. The triumph secured a place at the Under-20 World Cup in Poland, where Brazil reached the quarter-finals before losing to eventual champions Spain.
She described the youth-team cycle as crucial for both her own progress and that of the squad. Brazil, she said, produced strong displays against demanding opponents and the group grew collectively as well as individually.
Now she enters a senior environment preparing for the World Cup in Brazil. Clarinha said she has not yet had much time with Elias, but the coach has stressed that every player in the squad has an opportunity to feature.
Her immediate aim is to make the most of that opening without losing perspective. Looking towards the 2027 tournament, she said she wants to build her path calmly and “give my best to be on the list.”
After the Argentina matches, Brazil’s final fixtures of 2026 will come in Japan: Hiroshima’s Edion Peace Wing Stadium hosts the first match on 29 November, followed by a 5 December meeting at Okayama’s JFE Harenokuni Stadium. The programme continues next year with a FIFA window from 26 February to 6 March, allowing up to three friendlies, and another from 13 to 24 April with a further three games available.
