At 25, Natali Goes is gearing up for another classic match. But she’s not a football player. Though an ardent Flamengo supporter, her pre-game routine doesn’t involve buying tickets or planning with friends on how to get to the stadium. Instead, she trains rigorously to handle the challenges of the stands. Natali, from Franco da Rocha, São Paulo, works as security and is assigned to the Flamengo vs. Fluminense match at 5 PM this Thursday at the Maracanã for the 27th round of the Brasileirão.
A month ago, during the first leg of the Copa do Brasil final between Flamengo and Cruzeiro, she made headlines by using a submission hold to immobilize a Flamengo fan trying to invade the Maracanã Mais section. Her brave act earned her an extra day’s pay. Employed by Sunset, Natali works as a bank security guard and takes on stadium security during her days off.
“The invasion was anticipated. We had a training session beforehand where we were alerted to the possibility. The game was calm, but in the first half, a group started causing trouble. This fan tried to bypass the turnstile. I ran and immobilized him. He resisted, and it was tough because of his size and strength. But I used technique and tactics, holding him until the police arrived,” Natali explained.
Natali’s skills come from two courses she took just a year ago: a month-long security guard course with five martial arts classes and a three-week large events course focusing on first aid and crowd management.
“After the game, there’s a sense of relief, like a weight lifted off my shoulders. I’m very proud because people think that, as a woman, I can’t control fans. I feel very well prepared.”
Natali’s connection to sports was never strong. As a child, she practiced judo. Now, she runs and plans to start boxing training. Becoming a security guard wasn’t part of her plan. She has a degree in social work, but couldn’t find a job in her field after graduating. She worked in telemarketing for nine months before deciding to take the security course.
She began working for Sunset and debuted at the Rio Open in February. Her work was praised, and the following month, she started at football matches, beginning with Flamengo vs. San Lorenzo in the Copa Libertadores. Since then, she has worked over 60 games. Within the company, she was recommended for a security position at a Santander bank branch, her job from Monday to Friday.
“Two years ago, I never imagined working as security and immobilizing a fan. It was my escape to survive. But I didn’t want to. There’s fear even in walking on the street. In a stadium, you can expect anything. We work unarmed, relying only on technique. The lesson I’ve learned is that you never know what someone else is capable of. I love football, but I wish there was peace.”
Natali, originally from São Paulo, is a Flamengo fan. At three years old, she moved with her mother to Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro. Now, the Maracanã is her second home.
