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23 April 2019
Silvana Flores, the talent from Mexico
For their first participation in the Sud Ladies Cup, Mexico will travel to France with several players who have competed in the U17 2018 World Cup. Among them, Silvana Flores, an Anglo-Canadian-Mexican with a very atypical path. Portrait.
In the Flores family, football is a special story. The father, Ruben, had a modest career in the Liga MX, the Mexican league, before becoming a coach. His children then took over. Tatiana, twelve years old, Marcelo, fourteen years old, and Silvana, seventeen years old, all play football. The oldest starts to show her talents.
On July 25, she officially joined Arsenal from Ipswich. Silvana Flores, whose grandfathers are English, made all her classes across the Channel, to Colchester and Essex FC. But it is especially under the guidance of his father that the young player learned the basics. "My father is a coach and has directed the under-15s of the Cayman Islands. I was eleven and since there were not many girls playing football on the island, I went to train with them", says the Mexican in an interview for the FIFA website.
"I love Mexican passion"
In addition to her British roots, she was born ... in Canada. The British and Canadian federations became interested in her when she was younger. Flores trained with teams from Canada and England in youth categories. These multiple trips between selections have never been a problem for the teenager, who speaks fluent English, Spanish and French. She finally opted for Mexico, her father's country, with whom she played in the U-17 World Cup in 2018.
Silvana Flores (right) and Monica Vergara, the Mexican coach who will lead the squad during the Sud Ladies Cup
"I always felt that something was missing elsewhere and I found it there. I love the Mexican style of play, but also the passion with which you live football there", she explains. Such a paying choice, as Silvana and "El Tri" reached the final of the World Cup, failing in the final against Spain. A historic performance, partly allowed by the young Gunner, skillful technically and who does not hesitate to move forward.
Next step for Silvana Flores, the Sud Ladies Cup with her national squad before returning with the U21 squad of Arsenal. With the London club, she has already clinched a U21 FA Cup, including eliminating his former club, Ipswich, in the semifinals. "I hope to join the first team soon", she says with ambition. Some great displays during the Sud Ladies Cup would for sure help her to do it.
Mathieu Lauricella
Credits : Getty Images
