16-year-old Indiana dos Santos is a star on the rise and could find herself in Europe very soon

If you want to be the best you have to beat the best - but before teenage football prodigy Indiana dos Santos jets overseas she has to finish high school - and hopefully win another A-Leagues title.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 26: Indiana Dos Santos of Sydney FC controls the ball during the A-League Women round six match between Sydney FC and Melbourne City at Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre, on November 26, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Barcelona, Arsenal or Chelsea – Indiana dos Santos is itching to sign with one of the world’s biggest clubs but firstly has to finish high school.

The 16-year-old football prodigy last year became the youngest player to make their debut for Sydney FC and the youngest to play in an A-League grand final.

She is now just days away from playing in her second A-League women’s finals series when the Sky Blues take on the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday in the first of a two-leg semi-final series.

Dos Santos said lifting the trophy last year felt “so long ago” and was “all just a blur”.

She has come a long way in the 12 months since.

Dos Santos has played a key role for the Sky Blues in the regular season.

She has featured in 12 games – half of them in the starting line-up – been on the field for 489 minutes, had 12 shots and an assist.

Where will Indiana Dos Santos end up? Picture: Getty Images

It’s an incredible feat when you consider she plays a similar position to capped Matildas Cortnee Vine and Princess Ibini-Isei.

“I’m just training hard,” dos Santos said. “My main focus was to get as much game time as I could and trying to make the team sheet every week.

“It is hard because we have such a talented squad but I’m playing a lot so I’m pretty happy with that.”

Dos Santos has set herself some huge goals, including playing for the Matildas and a European or English club.

“All the best players in the world are playing in those leagues, so if you can play against the best players it is going to make you a better player,” she said.

“I like the way they play overseas. It is a lot more technical and there are more opportunities.”

Dos Santos said if an overseas club came knocking, the opportunity would be hard to turn down.

Dos Santos has a big future ahead of her. Picture: Getty Images

However, she wants to finish school and is working hard to juggle life as a professional footballer and Year 11 student at Westfield Sports High School.

While she dreams about signing a contract, her immediate focus is on the semi-final this weekend and helping her team lift another trophy.

Dos Santos said there were a few rough days after the Sky Blues lost their last regular-season match 4-0 to Melbourne Victory to hand the premiership to Melbourne City.

“It was difficult,” she said. “We came away not winning the premiership but we’ve all turned around and tried to find the positives.

“We’ve been working really hard and just focusing on the next big thing because you can’t change the past.”

Dos Santos said no two finals were the same and she was just as nervous this time around.

“It is very nerve-racking,” she said. “I think everyone gets nervous because it means you care but you just have to shake it off and play the best football you can.

“It’s going to be a tough game. We have to get stuck in and really work together as a team.”

The Sky Blues play the Mariners at Central Coast Stadium at 5.45pm on Saturday.

Originally published as 16-year-old Indiana dos Santos is a star on the rise and could find herself in Europe very soon