Pinto: I believe in this team

The Portuguese midfielder touched down in Brighton from Levante in September as one of the last signings of a busy summer transfer window. 

How has your first month at the club been both on and off the pitch?

It’s been challenging, but in a good way. I've only been here for two months and I needed to adapt quickly. It’s very challenging, but I honestly love it.

"The people who work here - the staff, the players - are so kind, and they really care about each other. So I feel that I was able to adapt very quickly because they have helped me a lot and they take care of the of the people at the club.

How have you settled into your new life in Brighton?

Personally, I can't not think about football because I'm so obsessed with it. Even when I'm at home everything I do I'm thinking about the game – I love it!

But I’ve gone out to explore Brighton and the city is great. I love going out for brunch or coffee and I’ve have friends that come to visit too.

How have you integrated into this new squad under Melissa Phillips?

I’ve settled in well with everyone, but I’d say I’m very close with Jorelyn (Carabali) because we had a really good connection from the beginning. I try and help her with her English because she's learning too - she’s a really good person.

I also get on well with Pauline (Bremer). She takes me to training every day. I really appreciate our chats because she has such a good mentality. She has also played for Lyon and other tops teams so I think I can learn a lot from her.

Vicky Losada has also played for some of the best teams in the world. So I feel very lucky now because I can learn some a lot from them and it's always good to have those personalities amongst younger players too.

The women’s game in England has progressed so much since you were last here, how has it changed in your eyes?

I think the Women's Super League is the best in the world right now. Everything is so professional.

I think the people don't really realise how competitive it is, it’s tough to win one or three points every weekend but because it's so challenging every week it makes us better players and better people.

It's been a challenging start to the season. How do you and the team maintain momentum heading into a tough run of matches after the international break?

I think it's about mindset. We haven't got all the points we wanted, but we are also a brand-new team with so many new players. So we really need to be to be patient and to believe in the process because it takes time – we have so much quality in this team. I really do believe we will find our way. We will get there, and we will be successful, I am sure of that.