Forging a successful career as a professional footballer is virtually impossible without dogged determination and an unwavering sense of self-belief. Silvana Gonzalez learned as much at the tender age of 19, when a gut-wrenching injury forced her to step back and take stock. At the same time, it afforded her the room for personal growth, helping her to rediscover the joy she finds in playing the beautiful game. Having fought her way back to full fitness, she is now reaping the rewards of her hard work as she sets her sights on a second campaign.
In February last year, the prodigious youngster was still basking in the glow of making her debut in FIFA's flagship youth tournament in Colombia, having ticked off a host of personal milestones along the way. But disaster struck in the form of a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, consigning her to a long spell on the treatment table. “It was a turning point in my career, because it made me see so many things through a different lens,” Gonzalez told FIFA. “Challenges are part of life, but ultimately it's up to you to decide how you respond and deal with them. The key is to learn as much as you possibly can from those experiences.”
The Atletico San Luis No10 finally reached the end of the long and arduous road back at the beginning of this year, and it was not long before she had cause to celebrate. She found the back of the net in just her third start of the Clausura campaign – a welcome boost for a player with an instinctive nose for goal. In February, the forward-thinking midfielder was rewarded with another call-up to play for Mexico, who are currently plotting a course to Poland for this year's U-20 global showpiece.
The maturity that comes from learning to deal with a major setback also opened up new avenues for her to pursue her goals. Gonzalez recently had the chance to pit herself against Europe's elite when she travelled to Spain to train with Atletico Madrid’s first team as part of the affiliation between the two clubs.
San Luis Potosi’s very own sat down with FIFA to reflect on what she learned during the course of her recovery and her stint in Spain, as well as her hopes of returning to the global stage with Mexico.
Silvana Gonzalez: It's been a whirlwind of emotions. To be honest, returning wasn't easy. I was out of action for 11 months, and in that time the pace of the game picked up and the level of the competition improved, so it was tough to come back. But if you're patient, work hard and try to get back into the swing of things one step at a time, you start to find your rhythm and gradually get back to a competitive level. It took until the latter stages of the tournament before I finally started to feel more like myself again.
That's exactly what I learned – to really savour the moment and focus on the here and now and on the next game. I learned not to worry about the future and to enjoy life as it is right now.
It was a fantastic experience and one I really enjoyed. What struck me the most was the pace and intensity they bring to every training session, day in, day out. It's on a whole new level. That's something I'd like to be able to bring back to my club and apply every day, by playing at a more competitive pace.
Yes, of course. I want to get to the point where I'm always competing at a high level and that pushes you to raise your own individual game. It would definitely be amazing to be able to go back there one day.
I was over the moon because, ultimately, I knew it was an important step forward. I've already had a taste of a World Cup so I know what it means. I know what it's like to be there – it's an incredible feeling. The fact that they gave me the chance to come back and fight for a place is a big deal.
I was so nervous to begin with because I didn't know anybody. It was a new intake, with lots of fresh faces, but it went well and everyone was really supportive. I think we have an extremely talented group and, above all, a great team who will be able to compete.
I felt like I was a little girl again. I loved every second of it. At the end of the day, I knew I wasn’t going to be the first name on the team sheet, but I was ready to give my all in any way that I could, even if it was just sitting on the bench and passing a team-mate a bottle of water. So, I understood my role. And when I got a chance to come on, I was also ready to give 100% for the team.
They should enjoy every single moment. I love spending time with the team, like when you're all in the canteen or doing group psychology exercises. In Colombia, I also remember that we enjoyed listening to music together when we were travelling to training. We had a brilliant group. That's what stays with you forever.
I haven't spent that much time with the squad; I've only been to two camps. But what I really love is that everyone is so dead set on putting Mexico on the map. They have this unbelievable passion and drive to take the country to the very top, and I think that will take us a long way.
At our last camp, we spent a lot of time talking about our unity as a team and the fact that we have a really good group. That sets us apart. We're a unit and our strength doesn’t come from individuals but from the way we have each other's backs out on the pitch.
I have to get there first! I hope to make the final cut. Above all, I picture myself enjoying it. One thing my injury taught me is that when you're on the sidelines, you long to be in the thick of it and you really miss being out there. I plan to enjoy the moment, be grateful for the opportunity and, obviously, bust a gut out there! The very best way to enjoy a tournament is by leaving everything out on the pitch.
It's hugely motivating. Growing up, you dream of reaching that level. Seeing how they work and how much effort they put in shows you exactly what it takes and where you need to improve to get to that same place one day. Watching what they do for their clubs and for the national team is a real source of inspiration. Hopefully, they can achieve everything they set out to do, because that lays the foundations for those of us coming up behind them.
In the short term, the U-20 World Cup is the only thing on my mind. After that, the dream obviously is to break into the senior national team and, with San Luis, to make it to the Liguilla play-offs. Right now, those are the objectives I'd love to achieve.
Sources: FIFA Official
