Deyna Castellanos: 'It's complicated to be at the top level when my mind and heart are in Venezuela' amid earthquake tragedy

Deyna Castellanos, a celebrated figure in Venezuelan women's football, faces a profound personal challenge as she prepares for a crucial World Cup qualifying playoff. While the Venezuelan team, known as 'La Vinotinto,' has achieved a historic milestone by reaching the intercontinental playoff for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027, Castellanos is grappling with the emotional toll of recent devastating earthquakes in her homeland.

"Despite being here, the pain is the same. All my family is in Venezuela and I am experiencing it very closely," Castellanos confessed. The Portland Thorns forward admitted that maintaining professional focus is "extremely difficult" even though her loved ones are safe. "It's complicated to be at the level you want when your mind and heart are not here," she explained.

The magnitude of the tragedy, which has claimed at least 2,295 lives, has prompted Castellanos to leverage her digital platforms to disseminate information about shelters and collection centers. "The least we can do, those of us who have these platforms, is to let the world know what kind of supplies are needed and where to donate," she stated.

Despite the national mourning, Castellanos and her team are on the cusp of making history. "What we are doing is history. In our country, no senior team, male or female, had ever achieved this," she emphasized. She described the upcoming playoff match, against an as-yet-undetermined opponent, as "perhaps the most important game of our lives so far." "We are literally one game away from achieving that dream. It's up to us to execute the plan and be ourselves," Castellanos added, acknowledging the playful pressure from her family to secure qualification.

This surge for 'La Vinotinto' coincides with the sport's rapid growth across Latin America. The Brazil World Cup will be the first held in South America and the first with an expanded 32-team format, presenting a unique opportunity for Venezuela, which has never reached the senior finals.