When Gabi Portilho left Corinthians at the end of 2024 to join Gotham FC in the United States, she never imagined she would face her former club so soon.
She will do just that, however, on 28 January when the two sides collide in the semi-finals of the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2026™.
Gotham qualified for the new tournament by virtue of their 2024/25 CONCACAF Women’s Champions Cup triumph, while Corinthians won the South American equivalent, the 2025 CONMEBOL Libertadores.
Speaking exclusively to FIFA, Portilho said: “When our semi-final opponent was confirmed, I thought: ‘Wow, the world is really small.’ I mean, it just had to be Gotham FC versus Corinthians! It’s crazy how football works. It’s a twist of fate. I think it will be a cracking game, worthy of a semi-final.”
The winners of the Gotham-Corinthians showdown will face the victors of the other last-four clash between English powerhouses Arsenal and Moroccan giants ASFAR. The inaugural edition of the competition is being held in London, with the semi-finals being held at Brentford Stadium and the final at Arsenal Stadium.
Portilho added: “I spent five years playing in Brazil, and we always dreamed of competing in a global tournament. We had the same competitions every year – and we won many of them, thanks to God, through lots of hard work and dedication – but we always felt something was missing. This tournament will be very exciting, and it’s even more special to take part in the very first edition. Corinthians recaptured the Libertadores title on merit and will play against us. But now I wear another shirt, now I’m Gotham. We’ll do everything to win.”
Portilho also opened up on how the tournament will further enrich the vibrant women’s football landscape – and set out Gotham’s ambition to make history by winning the first-ever edition.
“Of course, it’s going to be difficult, but this is a new competition and we have everything we need to win it,” she said. “It will be amazing if we emerge as champions, competing against teams from around the world. It helps you grow a lot, because you always learn from the other teams, from their mistakes and what they do well. It will be amazing to understand how football is in each country.”
She added: “Women’s football has to be built step-by-step, with careful planning, in every country. Corinthians does that and deserves to be where they are. Today, it’s the women’s team that brings the most fans to stadiums in Brazil. The teamwork is excellent, and the work ethic has never been lacking. It was never luck, always hard work.”
Gratitude is also a big part of this story. Corinthians played a key role in Portilho’s development from 2020 until the end of 2024. During this time, current Brazil coach Arthur Elias led the side, and she remains part of his set-up with the national team.
“I grew so much as a player at Corinthians, I reached my peak with them,” she said. “What made all the difference was the trust they always placed in me. I carry that with me for life. I’m very grateful not only to Arthur, but to the entire coaching staff. So, if I’m here, it’s also thanks to them for trusting me,” she said.
With her move from Corinthians to Gotham, Portilho has had to adapt to a new culture, a new language, and different playing style. Two muscle injuries, meanwhile, disrupted the momentum she was starting to build.
Patience has been key for Portilho, who is now determined to seize her chance to shine on the global stage.
“Sometimes we want to just rush things, to experience something that isn’t ready to be experienced yet,” she said. “I’ve learned to be more resilient and to live the process as it should be lived.”
