Since becoming a professional player, Marie-Yasmine Alidou has seen it, from the country. Enough to make nice touring jerseys. However, after France, Sweden, Spain, Norway and Austria, the Quebecer finally seems to have arrived at her destination.
The place where she finally put her suitcases is in Portugal. Alidou joined Famalicão for the 2022-2023 season, which seemed to be just another stopover in this long journey. However, she knew full well that this was the opening needed to put down roots as a professional player.
At the end of a season punctuated with success – twice winner of the title of player of the month, 12 goals and 4 assists, and leader of the first triumph of her club in the cup -, the Montrealer became a threat. So much so that defending champions Benfica simply decided to sign the rival star.
At the end of June, the versatile offensive midfielder signed with the most prestigious and dominant team in the country for a two-year pact with an option year. A great shot after spending so many years lugging his bundle from left to right and right to left.
Despite the other offers on the table, the choice imposed itself. By joining the Lisbon team, she remains in a circuit that she knows well and with the club that won the last three championships. What’s more, she will participate in the Women’s Champions League.
“I always had something in the back of my head that said, ‘If I perform well, I’m going to get noticed by Benfica.’ So, for sure after the season that I had, I was really happy to have had this offer to go with the best team in Portugal”, she says.
At the time of the videoconference with La Presse, the 28-year-old player is in an apartment with other teammates. A mandatory transition phase pending the preparation of his new home and which, incidentally, is consistent with the preseason.
But even before showing up, the summer rookie had a reputation that preceded her. During the conquest of the cup, Alidou scored a spectacular goal, a perfect shot from outside the area that lobbed the goalkeeper. A stroke of genius that ultimately allowed Famalicão to defeat his future club, Benfica, in the semi-finals.
In an instant, surprise was created and memories were etched. “It’s a goal that’s still in their head. Exactly, they still talk to me about it here, ”she drops, smirking.
Before going to the big European clubs, Alidou worked hard. She played her five seasons with the University of Quebec in Montreal and took part in the Universiade, this university version of the Olympic Games.
It was therefore at the age of 22 that she embarked on the professional world. Not the typical course, shall we say. But it allowed him to climb the ranks one by one and progress in a linear fashion.
“I had a little click a little later, she admits. There are some who have it at 16 and are very good very early in life. Then it drops. For me, it’s always been a bit progressive. I learn every day. […] I know that I can still improve, so it is positive. »
So this long journey allowed him to “take on a little bit of baggage” at each stop. This last stint at Famalicão made him realize that his versatility was one of his greatest assets. “You shouldn’t be angry when the coaches change positions sometimes, it’s a plus to be able to play in several positions”, explains the one who has filled practically every attacking role imaginable.
A plus that led her to the national team.
Alidou’s recent club successes haven’t been ignored forever. In February 2022, she received her first call-up to the senior national team and also earned her first start. At the start, the team tried to develop her as a defensive midfielder, except that it did not last, given the offensive skills of the Quebecer.
Still, Canadian head coach Bev Priestman continued to call him up.
So it was with the wind in her sails that Alidou arrived at the preparatory camp for the Women’s World Cup in June. Of this group of 25 invited players, 23 were able to travel to Australia and New Zealand. However, on this list, the name of the midfielder did not appear.
“Even without having reached my full potential, I think that this summer, before the Worlds, I was at a very good level. Especially after a season in which I think I did very well. Then during the national team camps, I also performed very well, even if I didn’t have the chance to play… Absolutely. I had played very well at the last camp in Australia, so I was really disappointed. I won’t hide it. »
Priestman preferred to pick just five midfielders for the Worlds. In retrospect, noting the lack of goals and Jessie Fleming’s injury, the presence of a back-up for the Chelsea star could have gone a long way. If lessons have been learned by the Olympics in 2024, maybe Alidou will reach the much-loved destination of Paris.
By joining Benfica, Alidou will be the only Canadian in the team. However, this is a statement that would have been wrong just a few weeks ago, when Cloé Lacasse was there. The Franco-Ontarian striker, however, joined Arsenal during the summer. That said, even before joining Benfica, or even the circuit, Alidou called on his teammate in the national team to have his vision of things. “Before signing with Famalicão, I spoke with Cloé. I asked her how the league was and if she knew the club. […] On the other hand, she didn’t really have to sell a lot of things about Benfica, ”she adds.
