Brazil’s Garbelini Changes Her Name To Begin A New Chapter In Her Life

Giovana Queiroz, now known as Giovana Garbelini, is a female soccer star from Brazil who has started a new chapter in her life.

After difficult stints at Barcelona and Arsenal, the 21-year-old winger for Atletico Madrid and Brazil recently took on her late grandmother’s last name.

As she enters 2025, Garbelini, who rejoined the Brazil national team in 2024 after a two-year break, has taken the adage “New year, new me” very seriously.

The Atletico Madrid player has improved her career and returned to playing football in recent months. She has been helping the Brazilian score some beautiful goals in the process.

Garbelini, on the other hand, claims that changing her name was her decision. It demonstrates her maturity and a strong return to her roots, she said. Garbelini recalled how making her debut at the age of 15 influenced her development as a player and a person.

Although her name may have changed, her goals remain the same, and she is now more equipped to face life’s challenges with a fresh sense of purpose.

“I wanted to change my name to start a new chapter. I think I have matured a lot, and my football has been improving. The name comes from my maternal grandmother, Nair, so I wanted to honour her by no longer going by the name Gio Queiroz. Now I go by the name Gio Garbelini. Sadly, my grandmother has already passed away, but she is always by my side.” said Garbelini.

In football, Garbelini has already experienced a lot. The winger returned to the Spanish capital and has been with Atletico Madrid since August 2024, despite having a difficult time at Barcelona and Arsenal in recent years. Experience and the prospect of successful years ahead are now a potent combination at her disposal.

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“I have learned a lot,” said Garbelini. “I wanted to progress, to play and to help the team, but unfortunately that wasn’t to be. I was training with the best players in the world, and the girls [at Barcelona and Arsenal] really helped me. It was a tough spell because I was a long way from my friends and family but, wherever I go, my parents come with me. I think that enabled me to learn and to keep going, and it made me stronger.”

“Coming back to Madrid was good for me,” she added. “I needed to get some confidence back and feel like a player again. I went to Madrid CFF on loan in January and had a really good spell there, finally playing, helping the team and feeling like I was part of a team. I came to Atletico Madrid in the middle of the year and I’ve been very happy here.”

“My advice for anyone going through a tough period is to not give up because everything will come to an end – whether it’s good or bad – and to focus on what you can control,” said Garbelini. “If you are working hard, good things will come.”

“I am Brazilian, my family are Brazilian,” said Garbelini. “It is a huge honour to put on that yellow shirt and represent my country. I am also a Spanish citizen and I only speak Spanish when I’m at my club, but I always feel Brazilian, on and off the pitch. The people and fans of Brazil were a key part of my choice, and Marta was a big inspiration to me. She was in the Seleção squad the first time I was called up, and I’ve always wanted to play alongside her.”