‘This is really special’: Indiana Dos Santos breaks more records in A-League grand final win

Indiana Dos Santos has broken multiple records since debuting in the A-League Women’s earlier this year, and wrote her name in the history books once again in Sunday’s grand final victory.

Indiana Dos Santos and Jynaya Dos Santos of Sydney FC celebrate victory during the A-League Women's Grand Final match. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

When Indiana Dos Santos was substituted onto the field for Sydney FC’s A-League Women grand final victory over Western United, she wrote her name into the history books.

Aged just 15 years and 206 days old, Dos Santos became the youngest player ever to take to the field in the decider in the history of the A-Leagues, both men’s and women’s, when she was substituted on in the dying minutes of the match, surpassing the record set by Grace Maher by 41 days.

It’s not the first time the Junior Matilda has broken records this year, with Dos Santos’ debut for Sydney in March cementing her as the youngest player in the club’s history, male or female, to debut in the A-League.

She scored her first goal in the league just weeks later, finding the back of the net in Sydney’s 4-2 win over Perth Glory.

With her professional career taking off so rapidly, Dos Santos said she hasn’t really had the time to process it.

“I haven’t had time to take it in, it’s all happened so fast,” she said.

“I’m just starting to look back on it now and think ‘wow, that is really special.’”

Despite only featuring for a few minutes in the grand final, she said it was one of the best days of her life.

“I don’t think that will ever leave me, the memories will be with me forever,” Dos Santos said.

“Seeing my family there watching me and all the fans, it was just so cool.

“They were just so happy to see me out there, in the grand final, they just couldn’t believe it.”

Teenager Indiana Dos Santos makes her A League Women's debut for Sydney FC on March 5, 2023. Picture: Dan Ullman

One of those in attendance was her sister Jynaya, who recently came back returned from international duties with the Young Matildas and is also a part of the Sydney FC squad.

Although the sisters didn’t get the opportunity to represent Sydney on the field this season, they will have the chance when they rejoin Football NSW Institute for the remainder of the NPL season.

“We haven’t started training yet, but I’m really excited to play with my sister,” Dos Santos said.

“I’ve played with her in futsal before, but that was in under-13.”

Despite a whirlwind year for the up-and-coming star, Dos Santos isn’t thinking too far ahead in the future.

“I want to see what I can achieve in the NPL, just play the best with my sister and try and make the grand final.”