Olivia Smith, a revelation in Portugal with Sporting CP | OneFootball

MIAMI — As the world of women’s football continues to grow, new faces of the game start to rise to impact their clubs and national teams, like the case of Canadian midfielder Olivia Smith, who has had a remarkable first season with Sporting CP and was recently named the Revelation Player of Portugal’s 2023/24 Campeonato Nacional Feminino.

The 19-year-old has been a force since a very young age, catching the eyes of top universities early on. In 2023, Smith decided to pursue a professional path by signing a three-year deal with the Portuguese side Sporting CP.

Smith wasted no time in making her mark. In her debut, she demonstrated her scoring prowess and quickly found her rhythm on the pitch, assisting her teammates for goals. Her team's near victory, finishing second in the league, is a testament to the young squad's readiness for the next season.

With 16 goals, Smith made a name for herself as the best newcomer in the Portuguese top flight. Others around the league kept an eye on her, and after an outstanding first professional season, she was elected the best young player.

Smith's talent extends beyond club football. She has been a fixture in the Canadian Women’s national team since her younger years, participating in the 2018 Concacaf Girls Under-15 Championship. Her senior debut came just a year later, making her the youngest player to represent Canada. Her progress continued, earning her spots in the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and the 2023 Concacaf Women’s Championship U-20.

Smith’s skillset was something head coach Bev Priestman couldn’t ignore, making her part of the roster that would compete at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™. The player made her debut in the 77’ of her team’s final group match against Australia.

Her growth didn’t stop there. In February of this year, she was part of the Canadian squad that took part in the first edition of the Concacaf W Gold Cup. Her talents were on display once again when she scored her first senior goal during the group stage, as she helped her country reach the semifinals. Her impact made headlines as she was awarded the Best Young Player Award of the tournament.

With her first professional season complete, Smith is just getting started showing Canada, Portugal, and the rest of the world why she is one of the players to watch every time she steps onto the pitch.